OBAMA’S POPULARITY among Americans has plummeted, according to the latest opinion polls. Confidence in the president has slipped as almost six out of ten voters said they now lack faith in his ability to make decisions for the country.

The result is a complete reversal of polls following the beginning of his term 18 months ago in which 60% had confidence in his decisions. His public approval ratings in the past year have been heavily affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster and his health care reform, which some Americans viewed as a socialist plan.

Controversial posters funded by the Tea Party Movement have begun appearing in the US. The movement, backed by extreme conservatives, opposes high tax rates and what they consider excessive public spending.

Although confidence in his decision making is low, Obama retains a good approval rating overall of 50%. Newsweek writes that the president’s main flaw is in not being better at blaming the problems he inherited at the start of his term on his predecessor, George Bush.