Poll Tracker

Obama's approval rating fell from a 61 percent to 30 percent ratio in April, to 56 percent to 34 percent, a net drop of nine points. Americans approve of his handling of the economy by 51 percent to 38 percent, a net drop of five points since April. on foreign policy, his approval rating is 54 percent to 36 percent, a net shift of 7 points to the negative.

Forty-six percent are extremely or quite confident that Obama has the right set of goals and policies to improve the economy, compared to 53 percent who are only somewhat confident or not confident at all.

The number of people thinking the economy will improve in the next 12 months rose from 38 percent in April to 46 percent, although the public still believes the economy to be in awful shape. Eighty-seven percent said they are dissatisfied with the state of the economy.

On health care, the public splits 33 percent to 32 percent on whether Obama's proposal is a good or bad idea, but perhaps the more significant figure is that 30 percent don't have an opinion about it, suggesting the difficulty in understanding the complexity of the issue. there is also an almost even split about whether the health care priority should be addressing the costs or taking care of people who have no coverage.

Asked how important respondents felt it was to have a public plan health coverage plan administered by the federal government in addition to private plans, 76 percent said it was extremely or quite important. But support dropped when read pro and con arguments about the wisdom of a public plan. Forty-seven percent said a public plan would help lower costs and provide health care for All Americans, while 42 percent believed it would limit access to doctors and medical treatment options.

Other findings:

• Former Vice President Dick Cheney is viewed unfavorably by 48 percent to 26 percent.
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is viewed unfavorably by 46 percent to 24 percent with 17 percent "neutral" and 13 percent not knowing her name, or unsure.
• The Republican Party is viewed unfavorably by 44 percent to 25 percent, an all-time low for it in the poll.
• The Democratic Party is viewed unfavorably by 47 percent to 45 percent.
• Conservative radio talk host Rush Limbaugh is viewed unfavorably by 50 percent to 23 percent with 17 percent "neutral."

And, on actions taken by Obama so far, the survey said:

• By a 48-41 percent margin, Americans favor eliminating procedures like waterboarding to get information from terrorists.
• 52 percent oppose closing Guantanamo Bay while 39 percent favor it.
• 56 percent oppose giving financial aid to General Motors, in exchange for the federal government obtaining a stake in it while 35 percent favor it.