WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has hit a few bumps. A glitch-ridden roll out of the health care law and a sluggish economy has left the Commander-in-Chief with fewer fans. Only two in five Americans approve of Obama’s job performance, according to Gallup polls.
His ratings have gradually declined during his second term, dropping steadily during several mishaps, including alleged NSA spying on international leaders, the government shutdown and the debate over Syria’s chemical weapons. When HealthCare.gov faltered this fall, Obama slipped to 38 percent approval from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17.
The president’s approval is slipping across multiple policy issues, including the economy and immigration, according to Pew Research. On his health care policies, 37 percent approve, but only 31 percent support his economic policies. For immigration, Obama’s numbers fell to 32 percent.
In October 2011, Obama’s ratings first plummeted to 38 percent after a painful debt ceiling fight with congressional Republicans, according to Gallup. President Jimmy Carter still holds the record for lowest approval in his second term with only 31 percent of Americans approving of his job performance in October 1979.
But Obama is not alone. During his second term and at the height of the Iraq War, President George W. Bush hit 36 percent approval ratings. In contrast, President Bill Clinton enjoyed nearly two-thirds approval at this time in his presidency.