Barack Obama remains a popular president—75% of poll respondents like him personally—but a new survey by the Wall Street Journal and NBC finds growing worry about his financial policies and the deficit in particular. Overall, Obama's approval rating fell to 56%, down 5 points from April. Nearly 7 in 10 are concerned about the scope of the federal government's interventions to shore up the economy, especially its GM bailout.
And nearly 6 in 10 want the Obama administration and Congress to keep a lid on the budget deficit, even if that means a delayed economic recovery. (Nearly half blamed George Bush for the deficit, versus 6% for Obama.) Despite the presidential juggling act, 60% say Obama remains focused, compared with 37% who say he's taking on too much too soon.
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