U.S. President Barack Obama marks his first 200 days in office Friday as public opinion polls show weakening support for his main domestic priority, health care reform.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, President Obama's overall approval rating from American voters has dropped from 57 percent in July to a current 50 percent, its lowest level since he took office.
The survey released Thursday says 49 percent of voters disapprove with the way the president is handling the economy, while 52 percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of health care reform.
President Obama's main domestic initiative is to decrease health care costs and provide health care coverage to the 47 million Americans who are uninsured. But opposition Republicans are continuing to raise objections about what they say is the high price of the plan and too much government involvement.
The president has used a number of public appearances and rallies to build support for his health care reforms and has also been quick to note the country's improving economic trends.
While the president has been focused on domestic matters in recent months, foreign policy issues including the situation in Afghanistan will continue to remain major issues. Recent polls suggest U.S. support for the war effort is slipping.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
