Obama enters second term with 51 percent approval

By Sarah Dutton, Jennifer De Pinto, Anthony Salvanto, Fred Backus and Brian Montopoli

President Obama's approval rating stands at 51 percent as he prepares to be sworn in for a second term, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll. Forty-one percent of Americans say they disapprove of the overall job he is doing as president.

Mr. Obama's approval rating is down six points compared to December, shortly after his reelection, and is lower than the 62 percent approval rating he received shortly after taking office in 2009. His approval rating is slightly higher than where it stood at this point last year, when 47 percent approved of his performance and 45 percent disapproved.

Mr. Obama's approval rating hit its first-term high of 68 percent in April 2009, roughly 100 days after he first took office. His lowest rating came in March 2012, as Americans grappled with increased gas prices. His job rating hovered around 50 percent throughout 2010 and 2011, though it spiked to 57 percent in May 2011, after the killing of Osama bin Laden.

• Complete coverage: CBS News polls
• CBS News poll database

Heading into his second term, in January 2005, President George W. Bush had an approval rating of 49 percent. President Bill Clinton entered his second term with a 60 percent approval rating; President Ronald Reagan entered his second term with an approval rating of 62 percent.

Mr. Obama's approval rating is lower when it comes to specific issues. Just 37 percent approve of his handling of the budget deficit, while 54 percent disapprove. Forty-nine percent approve of his performance of foreign policy, 46 percent approve of his handling of the economy, and 45 percent approve of his handling of taxes.

Additional results from the poll, which was conducted from January 11-15, will be released later in the day.

This poll was conducted by telephone from January 11-15, 2013 among 1,110 adults nationwide.

Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

[screwybruce]

Is this the same NY Times just condemning obammy for using drones to kill American citizens? Was the poll only conducted in NY, where the people were so stupid they voted in an actual razorback to be their Senator? (So sorry to all pigs out there)

Oh and boob4999 obammy didn't win any majority of the people. For some reason 8 million conservative voters 'didn't' vote this time or at least were not counted. Polls like ANY statistic can show anything you want them too. Take a stats class.

[ihatenpr]

Considering that GW did such a lousy job with foreign and domestic policy.anything that didn't make things worse would get a nod of approval.

[333_5050]

I would like to know how his survey was done because it is so unrealistic as is the unemployment numbers. Why is nothing being done about putting people back to work or is the public to stupid to know that the goverment is wanting to keep them dependent so they can do anything they want.I was wathing a "newa team" asking people on the street about raising taxes and more than one person said they didn't care as long as they still got there check and food stamps. If you are not paying taxes you are living off taxes.

[Jcextra12]

WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BREAK down his approval rating into SEGMENTS as if he is HALF OF A PERSON. Just let the damn man do his job and get out of there in 3 and a half years and be happy with the choice, because you can cut his presidency up into bits and SHRED it and he will still have a higher approval rating than George Bush the SECOND EVER DID.

[outback_jackson]

Actually it's a full four years from tomorrow, Jan. 20, not 3 & 1/2 years.

[tenbender]

49% today !!

[Rguarddog]

I find it hard to believe that Obama has 51% of anything in his favor. He's so narcissistic and full of himself, and the media panders to his every word like he's some kind of demigod that it is disgusting to watch.

I don't watch any news anymore because none of them are honestly reporting the news. CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, CNN they all spin to the left or the right to make a story "feel" important one way or the other. I think the truth is that Obama has done more harm than good, and most liberals have their head so far up their tree hugging, tax raising, Gun hating *****, they don't have a clue what regular people on the street think about the same issues.

If you look at the major media outlets as an example, they have all made statements that they are "Moderate" or "Centrists" when it comes to their political views. The reality is they are so far left of center its not funny. But, when you believe your a "Centrist" or "Moderate" and your in fact far to the left or the right, it makes everything else seem extreme by comparison. That is why you can't get any honest reporting out of any news organization. If I had the money I'd start my own cable news program and guarantee a fair and balanced view of both sides of any issue, regardless of what any political party wanted.

[WolfKing109]

I do not care if guns are banned or not though my thing is why the hell does he just realize guns are a problem in America? I do not approve that mentally ill people who play violent video games are the cause. Guns have been decades a problem since they were made in fact but taking the blame on violent video games and mentally ill people? This is just sad Obama you just lost my respect towards you.

[tenbender]

Never has a gun killed anyone. Some person had to pull the trigger !

[RCcheckitout]

That should be comforting to know almost half of those asked don't like you. What a land slide. If it wasn't for the electorial Obama would have lost the election.

[bobbyd4999]

Or, if you live in the real world, he won because more people voted for him AND he won the electoral college.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

And did you see Bush had 49% going on his second term!!!!

[chief72]

This survey was taken by the holders of da free Obama phone. Some got several free phone and voted several times. In college we were taught how to take surveys and how to present and adjust the results. results was taken by the producers of Family faud.

[joelredwards]

Pres. Obama is doing a great job.

[DaTruthHurts7]

If adding trillions to the deficit is doing a great job then yes obama is absolutely fantastic.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Yep, just like the trillions bush added and you loved him, right?