Poll: Obama's leadership numbers slip

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Confidence in U.S. President Obama's leadership fell below 50 percent, partly because of healthcare reform worries, a Washington Post-ABC News poll indicated.

Results released Friday indicated 49 percent of respondents expressed confidence that Obama will make the right decisions for the country, down from 60 percent at his 100-day mark, the Post said.

Forty-five percent of Americans support healthcare reform as explained so far, and 50 percent are opposed, the poll indicated.

Obama's approval rating for handling the healthcare issue fell from 57 percent in April to 46 percent now, the poll indicated. Expectations that Obama can successfully achieve reform fell further, from 68 percent shortly before he took office to 49 percent now.

Pessimism about the country's direction also rose, the poll indicated. Fifty-five percent said they thought the nation was "pretty seriously" on the wrong track, up from 48 percent in April.

The president's overall approval rating was 57 percent, down 12 points from its April peak,. His disapproval number rose to 40 percent, the highest yet, the poll indicated.

The nationwide poll sampled 1,001 adults Aug. 13-17 by telephone. The margin of error is 3 percentage points.