Obama
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US President Barack Obama's job approval rating has plunged to the lowest point since he became president, according to a new CBS News poll released Wednesday, and Americans' approval of the Affordable Care Act has dropped precipitously as well.

Thirty-seven percent now approve of the job Obama is doing as president, down from 46% in October – a nine point drop in just a month. Obama's disapproval rating is 57% – its highest level in CBS News polls since he took office.

Approval of the Affordable Care Act, “Obamacare,” has dropped to 31% – its lowest number to date, and 12 points lower than last month. Sixty-one percent disapprove, including 46% who say they disapprove strongly.

Republicans are nearly unanimous in their disapproval of the law, and now more than two-thirds of independents agree. Almost six in ten Democrats continue to support the law, but their support has dropped 16 points from last month – from 74 percent in October to 58 percent today.

Just 7% of Americans think the Affordable Care Act is working well and should be kept in place as it is, while 48% think there are some good things in the law, but changes are needed to make it work better, and another 43% think the law needs to be repealed entirely.

The president's overall job approval rating has declined among many demographic groups since last month, including women, who were a key demographic support base for him in the elections. More women now disapprove than approve of the job Obama is doing as president.

When compared to recent two-term presidents, Obama's approval rating is similar to that of George W. Bush at this point in his presidency, but lower than the ratings of both Bill Clinton (58%) and Ronald Reagan (65%). In November 2005, 35% of Americans approved of the job President Bush was doing. That number mostly declined over the rest of his term, hitting a low of 20% in October 2008.