Obama's approval rating dips below 60 % for first time

The ABC News/Washington Post survey showed Obama's job approval rating fell to 59 per cent, down 10 points from its peak, giving the still-struggling Republicans a glimmer of hope ahead.

While 56 per cent of Americans still think Obama's approach will improve the economy, the percentage was down sharply from a peak of 72 per cent when he took office on January 20 to be the first black-American US President.

With the deficit in mind, six in 10 oppose the additional stimulus spending his administration has suggested.

Barely over half, 52 per cent, now approve of his work on the economy, down 8 points from its peak.

Just under half, 49 per cent, approve of his handling of health care, also down 8 points. For the first time more people "strongly" disapprove of his work on the economy than strongly approve, 35 per cent vs 29 per cent.

It was the same case on health care, 33 per cent vs 25 per cent. And on the deficit, strong disapprovers now outnumber strong approvers by 2-1, 38 per cent vs 19 per cent, The ABC News/Washington Post survey showed.

Despite rising casualties, 62 per cent approved Obama's handling of the situation in Afghanistan. Obama is well off the top-tier of popularity at six months.

In polls since Harry Truman, five presidents have been better-rated at about this point (Harry Truman in the 80s; Dwight Eisenhower, John F Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and the first president George Bush Sr in the 70s.)

Four US Presidents have been similarly rated as Obama is now -- Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George W Bush; two lower, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton.

The weak US economy is of prime concern for Americans with 77 per cent of them worried about the economy's direction in the next few years and 63 per cent are worried about their own family's finances.

Moreover, very few, 8 per cent of Americans, say they have become better off financially under Obama's presidency while 27 per cent say they're doing worse.

Among people who say they are worse off financially, 66 per cent disapprove of Obama's job performance overall, while just 29 per cent approve.

And among those still confident his efforts will improve the economy, 92 per cent approve of his work in office; among those who lack such confidence, 78 per cent disapprove.