President Barack Obama's tumbling poll numbers have dipped below those of his predecessor George W. Bush at the same point in his White House tenure, according to a national poll released Tuesday.

"President Barack Obama's tumbling poll numbers have dipped below those of his predecessor George W. Bush at the same point in his White House tenure, according to a national poll released Tuesday."

Obama's approval rating is 55 percent six months into his presidency, a USA Today/Gallup poll found. But 56 percent of those polled approved of the job done by George W. Bush after six months, the daily reported.

Obama's handling of the economy appears to be key in his fading popularity, as Americans become more pessimistic about how long it will take the economic downturn to end.

"His ratings have certainly come back down to Earth in a very short time period," Republican pollster Whit Ayres told the daily.

By 49 percent to 47 percent, respondents said they disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy, while they disapprove of his health care policy by 50 percent to 44 percent.

Nevertheless, White House adviser David Axelrod called the "turbulence" predictable, and expressed confidence in the public's support for the president.

"People fundamentally like this president, and they believe he's smart and capable and strong and trying to do the right thing," he said.

Despite his falling poll numbers, the survey found that Obama remains personally popular.

Two-thirds of subjects polled found him to be a strong and decisive leader who understands the problems they face in their daily lives, while a majority said his administration "is creating a new spirit of idealism."

The telephone poll of 1,006 adults, taken Friday through Sunday, has a margin of error of plus-or-minus four percentage points.