Obama approval ratings worst in 5 years

US President Barack Obama has currently the worst public approval ratings in his five-year presidency, with record numbers of American saying they disapprove of his job performance, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

According to the poll conducted Dec. 12-15, President Obama has lost significant ground to his Republican opponents in Congress.

The poll said 41 percent of Americans believe Obama and Republicans have same capability to handle the country’s main problems. A year ago, Obama’s advantage was 15 points and at this stage in 2010 it was still five points, the Post reported Tuesday.

The president also has lost the lead he enjoyed on who could better deal with the economy. Republicans are now at 45 percent to Obama’s 41 percent. Last year at this time, 54 percent backed Obama and 36 percent supported congressional Republicans.

A 26-point Obama advantage a year ago on who would better protect the middle class has fallen to just six points in the survey.

The Post said Obama has lost ground among women, liberals and younger Americans, who were key members of his winning electoral coalition.

Overall approval rating of President Obama stands at 43 percent, while disapproval is at 55 percent.

The results of the poll offer that the president in is in trouble. However, White House officials think that since the healthcare website is now working better than it was in the past two months, they have an opportunity to regroup.

The Latest survey shows congressional approval stands at 16 percent, up four points in the past month but still hovering near historic lows.

More than seven in 10 disapprove of the way congressional Republicans are doing their job. Congressional Democrats are only slightly less disliked, with more than six in 10 disapproving of their performance.