Obama's Approval Rating Sinks to 50%

President Obama's job-approval rating slipped to 50% in Gallup poll results out today, a new low for the 10-month-old administration, the Los Angeles Times reports. The drawn-out health care reform debate apparently is dragging down the number, which hit 69% after the inauguration. The disapproval number is 43%. "It's real easy to stay popular in Washington if you don't do anything at all," a White House rep said.

Obama has seen his ratings sink faster than some of his predecessors—Both Bushes saw their approval rating hold above 50% for about 3 years. President Clinton sank below the magic number just 4 months in, and President Ford took a mere 3 months, thanks in large part to his pardon of Richard Nixon. (More President Obama stories.)