Poll: Obama loses ground on health care

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Furthermore, 46 percent say they are “extremely confident” or “quite confident” that he has the right set of goals and policies, versus a combined 53 percent who say they are “only somewhat confident” or “not confident at all.”

But the president remains personally popular: 55 percent view him favorably, compared with 34 percent who view him unfavorably.

Also in the poll, more than 70 percent give Obama good marks for being easygoing and likeable, more than 60 percent say he has strong leadership qualities and 55 percent believe he’s improving America’s image around the world.

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And despite the decline in his numbers, Obama is the most popular politician measured in the poll. Vice President Biden’s favorable/unfavorable score is 38-36 percent; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s is 25-44; former Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s is 28-20; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s is 53-31; and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s is 32-43.

Palin and 2012
Palin stepped down from office on Sunday, and could be eyeing a presidential bid in 2012. But according to the poll, a whopping 67 percent of Americans — and 43 percent of Republicans — say they would not like to see her president someday.

By comparison, 50 percent of the public — and 33 percent of Republicans — say they don’t want to see Mitt Romney, another possible 2012 contender, become president.

Mark Murray covers politics for NBC News.