Obama approval rating falls to 50 percent - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

US President Barack Obama's job approval rating sits at 50 percent in the latest CBS News/New York Times poll, the lowest level it has reached in CBS News polling. The president still has a net favourable rating, with 50 percent approving of his performance and 39 percent disapproving. In April, Obama's approval rating was 68 percent. By August, it was down to 56 percent. It dropped to 53 percent last month before falling another three points in the latest poll. Democrats still largely back the president, with 82 percent expressing their approval. Just 19 percent of Republicans approve of his performance, however, and independents are split: 43 percent approve of his performance and 41 percent disapprove. Americans cite the economy as the issue most important to them, and on that issue the president's approval rating has been in decline. It now sits at 47 percent, down two points from last month and down seven points from October. On health care, one in two Americans has an unfavourable view of the president. Just 42 percent have a favourable view. The poll does show a bright spot for the president on Afghanistan , however. Forty-eight percent now approve of his performance in handling the war, up ten points from last month. Thirty-eight percent disapprove.