Washington: Americans` perceptions of President Barack Obama are falling not only on his handling of the economy and other big issues, but also on more personal qualities such as honesty, a poll finds.
A clear majority of adults, 56 per cent, say "honest" does not describe Obama well, according to The Associated Press-GfK poll. That`s worse than his 52 per cent rating in an October poll.
The latest poll finds 41 per cent think the president is decisive, 44 per cent see him as strong and 45 per cent call him inspiring.
Republicans pounded Obama this fall for repeatedly saying Americans could keep their existing insurance plans under his new health law. That turned out to be untrue in many cases, and Republicans said it proved Obama can`t be trusted.
As for Obama`s overall approval rating, 58 per cent disapprove of the job he`s doing, while 42 per cent approve. Disapproval of his handling of several specific issues hovers around 60 per cent. They include the economy, federal budget deficit and unemployment.
Nearly half of American adults have an unfavorable impression of Obama, and 46 per cent have a favorable impression.
One month before his 2012 re-election, those numbers broke in the president`s favor.
More than half of adults had a favorable view of Obama and 42 percent had an unfavorable view, a poll conducted by telephone found.
The president`s weak ratings on these character and competency questions could make it harder for him to nudge a sharply divided Congress toward his goals in his final three years in office.
Americans hold Congress is even lower regard. Congressional approval stands at 13 percent, with 86 percent of adults disapproving. Nearly two-thirds say they would like to see their House member replaced next November, the AP-GfK poll finds.
Even though people are feeling somewhat better about the economy and their personal finances, elected officials in Washington aren`t benefiting from the improved mood.
Obama isn`t running for office again. But all 435 House seats and one-third of the Senate`s 100 seats are on the ballot next year.
