Obama's Approval Rating for Handling the Economy Reaches a Low

President Obama's job approval rating for his handling of the economy has fallen to its lowest point since he took office with only 36 percent giving him positive marks on the issue, according to a Gallup poll conducted Feb. 1-3. Sixty-one percent disapprove of his performance.

In March, 59 percent had approved of his handling of the economy, a number that has steadily fallen since then. Last month, 40 percent approved of his performance on this issue.

While two-thirds of Democrats approve of Obama on the economy, that view is shared by only 10 percent of Republicans and 29 percent of independents.

Obama's best marks for his job performance on specific issues are mostly in the foreign policy area. Fifty-one percent approve of his performance in foreign affairs in general while 44 percent do not. Forty-eight percent approve of his handling of terrorism while 49 percent do not; 48 percent approve of his handling of Afghanistan while 47 percent do not; and, 47 percent approve of his handling of the situation in Iraq while 48 percent do not.

The foreign issue on which Obama does the most poorly is Iran, where the stalemate over its nuclear program continues. Fifty percent disapprove of Obama's performance here, while 42 percent approve.

The public has highly negative views of Obama when it comes to health care and the budget deficit. Americans disapprove of his performance on health care by 60 percent to 36 percent and on the deficit by 64 percent to 32 percent.

Obama's highest mark on any issue is for education -- where 54 percent approve of his performance -- even though that has not been a high-profile issue this year or one in which a lot has happened.

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