President Barack Obama has promised political deviation from the George Bush administration. Unfortunately, he was initially mum about the nature of that reform. However, now that he’s been in office since January, the country is experiencing change, and it doesn’t seem to be helping most of us, but especially it doesn’t seem to be helping President Obama.
    During the brief period Obama spent at Martha’s Vineyard, his job approval rating fell to 50 percent. And in a three-day polling that came to a close on August 25, his approval rating stood at 51 percent, but it quickly trickled down to 50 percent by August 29. At this moment, the commander-in-chief’s rating is the lowest it’s been since his inauguration.
    The Gallup Poll, which provides data-driven news based on U.S. and world polls and daily tracking and public research, says about Obama, that “if ratings continue their downward trend and fall below 50 percent, he would be like other post World War II presidents, and have less than a majority approval at some point in his presidency.”
    Former President Bill Clinton’s approval rating fell below 50 percent during the fourth month of his presidency. Gerald Ford’s in the third month, and George W. Bush’s dropped below 50 percent only after 37 months into his term. Obama’s falling approval is not that unusual, but it may not remain in that state for much longer.
     Recent subjects such as the health care reform and the controversy of Guantanamo Bay have sent everyday American citizens into a political uproar. All one has to do is turn on the television to see that public opinion is fractured; and it’s not only the Republicans that are pumping their fists in the air at town hall meetings. The public’s general unrest may be a clue to why Obama’s approval has taken such a nosedive.
     Presently, 39 percent of Americans state that they are against the health reform as presented, while 24 percent say they have no opinion and 37 percent say that they are in favor of the reform. Guantanamo Bay poses another set of problems since 75 percent of American’s are leaning away from the suggestion that the detainees should be released. Citizens are starting to feel uneasy, if not irritated, about the president’s decision to close the base.
    Although Americans said they were ready for a transformation, the current modifications don’t seem to satisfy their political appetites. Despite the public’s increasing disapproval, Obama seems determined to push the health reform through, but for the moment he has pushed the discussions of Guantanamo into the corner of political debate.
    While many say “things have to get worse before they get better,” the real issue seems to be how long Americans will wait and how much Obama’s staggering ratings can take.