Obama Approval Slips Down to 50%

Before his second inauguration, President Obama enjoyed a 55% approval rating—but thanks to concerns over the economy, the figure has dropped again to 50%, a Washington Post-ABC News poll finds. Following Obama's reelection, Americans trusted him over congressional Republicans on the economy by 18 points; now the gap is just four points in Obama's favor, 44% to 40%, the Post reports.

Obama's 50% mark puts him behind most modern presidents at this moment in their second terms—with the exception of George W. Bush, who also had a 50% approval rating. As for the sequester, a slight majority opposes it, but some three-quarters say it hasn't had an effect on them. On the other hand, most believe it will eventually hurt the economy. Some 47% say congressional Republicans are to blame for it, while 33% say Obama is to blame. But 68% say they want the two sides to cooperate to end the cuts. Click through for more from the poll. (More President Obama stories.)