Obama scores on foreign policy

PRINCETON, N.J., June 8 (UPI) -- Americans approve of President Obama's handling of international issues, but still disapprove his work on the economy and the deficit, a Gallup poll indicated.

Results for the Gallup/USA Today poll released Wednesday indicate Obama's ratings on terrorism, foreign affairs and the situation in Afghanistan improved significantly from Gallup's prior measurement. However, respondents do not view his handling of the economy or the federal budget deficit any better than they did in late March.

More broadly, the results indicate a sustained increase in Obama's overall job approval rating since the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, up from an average of 44 percent in the week before it occurred to 51 percent in the week that followed, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. His approval rating has averaged 50 percent since.

The poll indicated 71 percent of U.S. registered voters were much more likely to say the economy will be extremely or very important in their decision on whether to vote for Obama in 2012 than foreign affairs, at 49 percent.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews conducted with 1,024 adults May 12-15. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.