Polls on economy, health care bring Obama down to earth

President Barack Obama’s plans to mount a new appeal for public support on health care reform were brought up short by a spate of new polls showing enthusiasm for his policies — including health care — on the wane.

A new poll by ABC News and The Washington Post found public support for Obama’s leadership on health care reform dropped from 57 percent in April to 49 percent in July, while support for his handling of the economy dropped from 58 percent to 52 percent.

The White House had hoped to rally public favor behind Obama’s health care agenda in order to pressure Congress to move quickly to shape reform. But rising public doubts highlighted in several polls put the effectiveness of that strategy in doubt.

Some lawmakers are calling on Obama to slow the process down, but the White House fears delay will lead to defeat. Asked about Obama’s slip in the polls, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said that, far from an accelerated timetable, the issues under discussion “are 40 years in the making.”

“The president strongly believes that we can continue to make progress, that it’s important to do that, and that delay is what opponents and special interests want to do to slow the process down,” Gibbs said. “I think we’re working through this on an expeditious timetable that can see reform happen this year.”

Obama’s assertive calls for action on health care reform have drawn unfavorable comparisons with his push earlier this year for the $787 billion stimulus bill — another emerging problem area for the president and public opinion.

A new USA Today/Gallup poll found 49 percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy to 47 percent who approve. On health care, 44 percent disapprove of his stewardship of the issue, to 50 percent who approve.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele called Obama’s policies a “dangerous experiment.”

“The president is rushing this experiment through Congress so fast, so soon, that we haven’t had a moment to think if it would work — or worse, to think about the consequences to our nation, our economy and our families if it doesn’t work,” Steele said at the National Press Club.

With Congress scheduled to break soon for its traditional August recess, Obama has planned a series of appearances and events aimed at keeping the momentum on health care. On Wednesday he will hold a prime time press conference at the White House, and on Thursday heads to Ohio, to talk up health care reform at a town hall meeting.

Coming into office with uncommonly high public approval ratings, Obama’s numbers were always expected to follow the standard, downward projectory of most presidencies.

Even so, the Rasmussen Reports’ hypothetical 2012 matchups had more grim news for the White House, showing Obama tied with Republican Mitt Romney at 45 percent. The same poll found Obama would beat Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin 48 percent to 42 percent, if the election were held now.

jmason@washingtonexaminer.com