Despite Dip In Job Approval, 67 Percent View Obama As "A Strong, Decisive Leader": Gallup Poll

President Obama's job approval ratings may have dipped recently in the wake of tough legislative battles, but a significant majority of the public continues to believe in his leadership qualities.

A new Gallup poll finds that two thirds of the public consider Obama "a strong, decisive leader" and say he "understands the problems Americans face in their daily lives."

Fifty-nine percent thought he "can manage the government effectively" while 55 percent said Obama shares their values.

The differences were split along party lines, with Obama gaining the approval of nine in ten Democrats on each of these qualities, and winning over less than half of all Republicans on any. His support among Independents was just below that of the general public.

The most significant drops in his ratings between April and July 2009 were among Republicans. Changes among Democrats were all within the margin of error, while numbers among independents fell between 4 and 7 percent on each of the four questions.

Despite his decline in poll numbers since April, his average approval rating in the recent three months was still notably higher than that of his two predecessors, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, during the same period in their presidencies.

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