Obama approval rating slips below 50%

U.S. President Barack Obama's job approval rating has dropped below 50% for the first time since he took office, according the latest Gallup poll.

Gallup's daily "tracking" poll showed that 49% of Americans approve of the job Obama is doing as the president.

It said that most of the decline in support for Obama occurred in July and August.

"Obama now is the fourth fastest to drop below the majority approval level, doing so in his 10th month on the job," Gallup wrote. "Gerald Ford dropped below 50% approval during his third month in office, and Bill Clinton did so in his fourth month. Ronald Reagan, like Obama, also dropped below 50% in his 10th month in office, though Reagan's drop occurred a few days sooner in that month."

It said the ongoing debate over national healthcare reform and the continued economic crisis are the possible reasons for the drop in his popularity ratings.

Gallup said Obama's drop below 50% is an important symbolic milestone in his presidency, but history suggests the odds of his regaining majority approval are high, and he could do so relatively soon.

MOSCOW, November 21 (RIA Novosti)