President Obama's approval ratings have again dropped under 50 percent, after a small jump up after his military strategy for Afghanistan was announced last week.

Mr. Obama has gone from the nosebleed section with 70 plus numbers immediately after his inauguration and now Gallup says he clocks in at 47 percent.

It's the economy, stupid.

"..Thus far in December, Obama has averaged 50% job approval. That is similar to the December averages for Ronald Reagan (49%) and Bill Clinton (53%), who also took office when the economy was struggling. All other recent presidents elected to their first terms had approval averages of 57% or above in their first December in office."

No matter how Rahm Emmanuel, David Axelrod or Robert Gibbs spins these numbers, it doesn't look for Obama.

"...Any slight bump in support Obama received coincident with his new Afghanistan policy proved to be very short-lived, as his approval rating returned to below the majority level by the weekend, and slipped further to 47% in Dec. 4-6 polling.

Afghanistan is just one of many high-profile issues with which the president is dealing. Immediate public reaction to his new Afghanistan policy showed 51% in favor and 40% opposed, according to a Dec. 2 USA Today/Gallup poll.

Obama spent part of Sunday on Capitol Hill talking to lawmakers as they continue working on healthcare reform legislation. In the most recent Gallup update, more Americans said they would advise their members to vote against healthcare legislation than said they would advise them to vote for it."