Mixed news for Obama in latest poll

Most Americans like Barack Obama but a majority still think he is taking the country in the wrong direction, according to a new poll.

The Republican upset in a US Senate race yesterday in Massachusetts demonstrated just how perilous the political landscape has become for Mr Obama and his party as Democrats hope to hold onto their majority in both chambers of Congress in November elections.

However, two years after Mr Obama famously told his Democratic primary opponent Hillary Clinton: "You're likeable enough, Hillary" that appraisal seems to have settled firmly on him.

Nearly nine in 10 like him personally with even three-quarters of Republicans backing that verdict, according to the Associated Press-GfK poll judging his first year in office.

But such personal good will came to little in Massachusetts, where Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in a race seen as a referendum on Mr Obama's first year in office as well as his top domestic priority, an overhaul of the US health care system.

A president's likeability can be a precious political commodity, but it proved to be one without substance in the Senate contest.

Certainly the excitement of Mr Obama's inauguration and the inflated expectations of that time are gone. His approval ratings have been in the 50% area since July, sliding from 74% a year ago.

Hopes that he would become an extraordinary president have been tempered during a year of economic calamity, an escalating war in Afghanistan and sharp elbows in the health care debate, the poll suggests.

Also fading are worries that he is in over his head.

Fewer Americans register a concern that the former one-term senator is doing too much too fast in the White House or lacks the gravitas to take on big problems. Even some people who do not like his policies credit him with a capable approach.

With Mr Obama's plans to reinvent the health insurance system, restore economic stability and take big steps in energy, the environment and more, Americans appeared nervous about changes even as they were drawn to their promises.

In the summer, nearly half of Americans thought Mr Obama was trying to do too many things too quickly. That is starting to turn around, according to the poll. An increasing number of people - especially Democrats - want him to pick up the pace even if not all are exactly sure what he should do.

Two-thirds in the poll agreed with the phrases "he understands the problems of ordinary Americans", "he will keep America safe", "he cares about people like you" and "he is a strong leader", a modest decline from three-quarters or more before his inauguration.

Most of that decline comes from sinking appraisals by Republicans, while his leadership ratings among independents have gone down much less and remain overwhelmingly favourable among Democrats. Before the inauguration, even a majority of Republicans said those phrases described Obama at least somewhat well.

With Democratic majorities at stake again, the poll found that 49% would like to see the party keep control of Congress in November while 37% want Republicans to take over.

Also in the poll:

* 42% rated Mr Obama as an above average or outstanding president. A year ago, 65% expected him to be.

* The economy continues to be the dominant concern, and Mr Obama's 47% approval rating on handling the economy has hardly budged for months.

* 48% trust Democrats more to handle health care; 38% trust Republicans. But respondents were split 42-42% on the package being considered by Congress. That was a slight increase in support for the plans.

* 49% trust Democrats more on the economy; 40% trust Republicans.

* 46% say the Obama administration has shown higher ethical standards than the Bush administration, while 30% say they are about the same.

* 54% approve of his handling of terrorism, one of his strongest ratings on issues.

The poll was conducted January 12-17 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media. It involved landline and mobile phone interviews with 1,008 adults nationwide and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.4%.