Obama 'bounce' after bin Laden dissipates

PRINCETON, N.J., June 15 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama's job approval surge after the Osama bin Laden killing has faded as economic fears grow, a Gallup poll released Wednesday indicates.

The president's approval rating averaged 46 percent last week, a substantial drop from his numbers in May.

Support among independents for Obama fell from 47 percent to 42 percent, while his backing among Democrats held at 82 percent. Republican approval of Obama jumped to 21 percent right after bin Laden's slaying in Pakistan -- from 10 percent in late April -- but sagged to the 15 percent range, where it remains.

Americans under 30 are still more supportive of Obama than in April -- up to 53 percent from 46 percent -- as are those 30 to 49 -- up to 51 percent from 45 percent. But Obama's approval among the elderly was at 37 percent, lower than before bin Laden's death.

The president's approval rating has averaged below 50 percent most weeks since early 2010. Incumbents above that mark have always won re-election.

At comparable points in their terms, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had approval ratings statistically the same as Obama's current 46 percent. All were re-elected handily.

The telephone survey of 3,552 adults was conducted June 6 through Sunday and had a margin of error of 2 percentage points.