Obama Gets Tepid Marks in Another National Poll

Obama's approval rating in the CNN poll has fluctuated over the last two months. His approval number stood at 55 percent in mid-November, dropped to 48 percent at the beginning of December and had a bump to 54 percent in mid-December. The biggest group among those sampled in the current poll were the 36 percent who "strongly" disapproved of Obama (26 percent strongly approved).

Americans are almost evenly divided on whether they agree or disagree with Obama on the issues that matter to them most with 50 percent saying they are in agreement while 49 percent are not. They are also split on whether Obama's first year was a success or failure, with 48 percent calling it a failure and 47 percent saying it was a success.

Fifty-four percent disapproved of his handling of the economy compared to 44 percent who approved, about the same as the beginning of November.

Fifty-nine percent disapprove of his handling of health care policy compared to 40 percent who approve. At the beginning of November, 57 percent disapproved and 42 percent approved.

Majorities also disapprove of job Obama is doing on taxes, unemployment and the federal deficit with the sharpest rejection of his policies (62 percent disapproval) being over the deficit.

Obama gets approval ratings of between 50 percent and 53 percent for his handling of foreign affairs, Iraq, Afghanistan and terrorism. The closest divide was on terrorism where 50 percent approve and 49 percent disapproved.

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