Poll: Public concern about oil spill falling

More broadly, the poll shows that 60 percent view the country as headed in the wrong direction, compared to 35 percent who believe things are on the right track. It shows President Obama’s job approval rating at 49 percent, while Congress has just a 24 percent approval rating.

Fifty percent approve of the way Obama is handling the environment, while 47 percent approve of his handling of energy policy. Results provided that go back to mid-July show Obama at or above 50 percent on energy until now.

The economy dominates respondents’ concerns, with 91 percent listing it as extremely or very important, while 80 percent place healthcare in this category and 74 percent view terrorism in these terms. Pollsters also asked about the deficit, Iraq and many other issues.

Just 41 percent of respondents approve of Obama’s handling of the economy.

Sixty percent of respondents view the environment as extremely or very important, a level generally in line with the pollster’s results going back over a year, although 72 percent listed the environment in these terms in mid-June.

Sixty-four percent called energy extremely or very important, compared to 74 percent in mid-June and 73 percent in May.

The poll of 1,007 adults was taken between Aug. 11 and Aug. 16 by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.