How Low can his rating go?!?

[reeds]

Bush's Ratings Still Sink Over War, Court By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer
38 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - President Bush's job approval has fallen to the lowest level of his presidency amid worries over the Iraq war, a fumbled Supreme Court nomination, the indictment of one White House aide and uncertainty about another.

Concerned that the president has lost his footing, some influential Republicans are urging Bush to shake up his staff and bring in new blood.

A new AP-Ipsos poll found Bush's approval rating was at 37 percent, compared with 39 percent a month ago. About 59 percent of those surveyed said they disapproved.

The intensity of disapproval is the strongest to date, with 42 percent now saying they "strongly disapprove" of how Bush is handling his job — twice as many as the 20 percent who said they "strongly approve."

A year after his re-election, Bush's second term has been marred by rising U.S. casualties in Iraq, a failed attempt to restructure Social Security, Hurricane Katrina missteps, rising fuel costs and his forced withdrawal of the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers.

In a case involving the exposure of a CIA agent married to an Iraq war critic, Vice President Dick Cheney's former aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, pleaded not guilty on Thursday in federal court to charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and lying to investigators. The case casts a continuing cloud over Cheney and keeps Bush's closest adviser, Karl Rove, in legal jeopardy.

Republicans are worrying about losing their majorities in Congress in the 2006 elections and hope Bush can reverse his slide.

Several senior Republicans who are close to the White House and Rove say there has been a lot of talk inside and outside the White House about the need for him to leave, but they're picking up no indication from him or his associates that it's going to happen — at least anytime soon.

Neither Bush nor Rove has seemed to get the message, the Republicans say.

Democrats have kept up the attack. "The 2006 midterm elections will be our next opportunity to change the environment of corruption and incompetence in Washington," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Thursday in a fundraising letter to Democrats. Reid has called for Rove's resignation and a "thorough house cleaning" at the White House.

In the AP-Ipsos poll, nearly one in five Republicans disapproved of Bush's handling of his job, compared with nearly nine in ten Democrats. Nearly seven in ten independents disapproved.

The president has lost support from some key groups of constituents over the past year. He's dropped 16 points in his approval rating with men in that time, 18 points with people who have a high school education or less, 16 points among Southerners and 13 points among Republicans.

The poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 31-Nov. 2 among 1,006 adults nationwide. The margin on sampling error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Congress isn't faring much better.

In early October, 35 percent of poll respondents approved of the job being done by Congress, down from 44 percent in February.

In December 2004, soon after Bush's re-election, 51 percent approved of his handling of his job, while 47 disapproved, and 28 disapproved strongly.

"I'm surprised it's not even worse" in terms of Bush's latest poll numbers, said GOP consultant Rich Galen. He cited three months of unrelenting bad news that have Republicans "beginning to scratch their heads."

Away from Washington, Republican leaders seemed concerned about Bush's drift downward in the polls and about Iraq, where the 2,000th U.S. military death was recently recorded — and less troubled about the CIA-leak case and the controversy surrounding Rove and Libby.

"I think the war in Iraq being on the front page every day has taken its toll," said Van Poole, former Florida GOP chairman and now a Tallahassee lobbyist. "Americans are impatient. Whatever our job is, Americans want us to get it done. Bush will bounce back."

Poole shrugged off the CIA-leak investigation. "Most people I've talked to think it was a big waste of money, taking as much time as it did."

Republican pollster David Winston said Presidents Reagan and Clinton recovered from low poll figures in their second terms and Bush should as well. Bush has been battered by many events over which he had no or little control, but next month's Iraqi elections and signs of an improving economy should help him bounce back, Winston said.

As to Rove's status, "People are more interested in gas prices, how's the war on terror going, how's my child's education," Winston said.

Political scientist Kenneth Warren of Saint Louis University said the Rove and Libby matter was undermining Bush's credibility and helping to drive down his numbers. Still, he said the economy and Iraq remain the foremost issues for most Americans.

"I don't think Bush has much chance of recovering from the slump. I can see the economy getting better, but I can't see Iraq getting better," Warren said.

___

[Drbio]

I'm very proud of him. He has stuck to his guns, shown that he leads with conviction and brought honor back to the White House. YOUR President is working hard for you reeds. I admit that I would prefer higher numbers, but I greatly respect that he doesn't run the country by appeasing the media and pollsters.

[dude1394]

Presidents who actually DO something are polarizing. Presidents who tackle tough issues instead of kicking them down the street to their successors take the risk that some of the electorate will be discouraged.

Dubya could have decided to be liked or decided to do what he (and most americans) thought needed to be done. By taking his responsibilities seriously he has managed to lose that popularity. I wish the electorate could see that but it seems not.

It's a tough job being the sole superpower but someone WILL do it.

[Rhylan]

Aww hell reeds, Bush's low is now a point below Clinton's low!

The record is WAY less.. like 27% for Nixon pre-resignation or something. Do some research instead of BAHAHAHAHAHAA'ing all the time.

[mcsluggo]

Originally posted by: dude1394
Presidents who actually DO something are polarizing. Presidents who tackle tough issues instead of kicking them down the street to their successors take the risk that some of the electorate will be discouraged.

Dubya could have decided to be liked or decided to do what he (and most americans) thought needed to be done. By taking his responsibilities seriously he has managed to lose that popularity. I wish the electorate could see that but it seems not.

Second term slump is fairly standard, so there isn't MUCH to see here.

But you are kidding in your response, right?

Not kicking responibilty down the road to his successors? You mean like cutting taxes and jacking expenditures and piling on the debt for future generations? You're right, thank god this administration has taken a stand to pay for its policies, and not appease the people by trying to convince them that they can spend more AND pay less at thae same time. THAT sort of irresponsibily would never occur because this president tackles these tough issues instead of kicking them down the street to his successors. Thank goodness.

[dude1394]

No not kidding...

- Tackling Iraq when clinton just tossed a bunch of tomahawks out there.
- Dealing with North Korea instead of trying to bribe them without accountability.
- NOT dealing with Arafat
- Being honest that kyoto was ludicrous
- Attempting to tackle Social Security and getting demagogued about it by the head in the sand ostrichs.
- Doing something about improving education instead of just throwing more money at it.

- I can agree with you that I would like to see spending reduced, but to be honest no politician wants to do it, including dubya. What I want to see is the deficit reduced as a percentage of GDP which is occurring. We are also starting to see some fiscal discipline attempted to be done, however it will be small as partisan sniping says that someone is starving someone's child somewhere.

[reeds]

Yes, I agree DUDE, you guys should be real proud... Worst president ever? Out of your home state yet!! real proud...

[Mavdog]

Originally posted by: dude1394
No not kidding...

- Tackling Iraq when clinton just tossed a bunch of tomahawks out there.
- Dealing with North Korea instead of trying to bribe them without accountability.
- NOT dealing with Arafat
- Being honest that kyoto was ludicrous
- Attempting to tackle Social Security and getting demagogued about it by the head in the sand ostrichs.
- Doing something about improving education instead of just throwing more money at it.

- I can agree with you that I would like to see spending reduced, but to be honest no politician wants to do it, including dubya. What I want to see is the deficit reduced as a percentage of GDP which is occurring. We are also starting to see some fiscal discipline attempted to be done, however it will be small as partisan sniping says that someone is starving someone's child somewhere.

First, it should not be a Bush/Clinton discussion as much as just a Bush discussion.
- "tackling Iraq" had nothing to do with "Clinton...tomahawks" if the context is the war on terror.
- Bush, like Clinton, is attempting to stop the N Korean nuclear projects. They agreed to a scope of an agreement, which is great. Don't however criticize Clinton for his work on N Korea when you want to commend Bush for his, at least until we know if his works or not...
- not so fast. that was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation IMO. by not dealing w/arafat, as time has gone by the on the ground situation in the area hasn't improved, and the radical groups have had more time to gain followers. his position didn't help anyone, nor further the chance for progress.
- kyoto or not, the need is there for emission reductions. bush has done the opposite, he is no friend of the environment.
- bush can't "reform" ss because he can't afford it, financially or politically. his own party members threw that issue under the bus.

bush is not getting positive grades from the public because he has made the hard decisions, his rating is low because he's made the <u>wrong</u> decisions.

[madape]

I'm pretty sure his job approval has gone UP a few points since it's low point a few weeks ago.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm

[dude1394]

Pakistanis have figured it out. You go Dubya.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...ixnewstop.html

Pakistan censors poetic salute to Bush
By Isambard Wilkinson in Islamabad

A poem in a school textbook has been removed by embarrassed education officials in Pakistan after it was found that the first letters of each line spelt out "President George W Bush."

The 20-line anonymous poem, The Leader, lists the qualities of "a man who will do what he must" and bears a passing resemblance to Rudyard Kipling's If.

"Ever assuring he'll stand by his word/Wanting the world to join his firm stand/Bracing for war, but praying for peace/Using his power so evil will cease", run typical lines.

[Usually Lurkin]

at realclearpolitics.com:

President George W. Bush - Job Approval Ratings
12/12 - 12/14
Approve....Disapprove..Spread
FOX News
42%...........51%...........-9%
Rasmussen
46%...........53%...........-7%
Hotline/FD
50%...........47%...........+3%

[Mavdog]

It seems the American public embraces a contrite President.

[Usually Lurkin]

or confuse him with gas prices

[Epitome22]

As Charlie Cook of the Cook political report said; the Harriet Miers fiasco really weakened the president with his base. He's been inching up in the polls because he's taken his base more into consideration. No matter what Democrats or independents might think of him, as long as Bush keeps his base happy, he will at least be around the mid 40's. That's not good, in fact that's pretty poor but it's at least better than the gutter dwelling he's been doing lately.

As of Dec 17th Rasmussen has his approval rating at 45% and disapproval at 53%

[dude1394]

Beats me how low he'll go... Maybe as low as 47%.

The Washington Post reports on the latest Post/ABC poll, which came out today:

President Bush's approval rating has surged in recent weeks, reversing what had been an extended period of decline, with Americans now expressing renewed optimism about the future of democracy in Iraq, the campaign against terrorism and the U.S. economy, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll.

Bush's overall approval rating rose to 47 percent, up from 39 percent in early November, with 52 percent saying they disapprove of how he is handling his job. His approval rating on Iraq jumped 10 percentage points since early November to 46 percent, while his rating on the economy rose 11 percentage points to 47 percent. A clear majority, 56 percent, said they approve of the way Bush is handling the fight against terrorism -- a traditional strong point in his reputation that nonetheless had flagged to 48 percent in the November poll.

[Usually Lurkin]

all the way down to 50%? Oh, My!

Rasmussen had it at 50% on the 23rd.
The average at realclearpolitics.com for the past few weeks is 46% approve.

Many have argued that all this talk of spying will only help Bush in the polls. I agree.

[dude1394]

Shocking free-fall I tell you..Oopss that's the democrat party...My mistake.

However, a Gallup poll taken before Christmas starkly illustrates just the opposite has happened. In October and again in December, Gallup ask the following questions.

1. ". . . please tell me whether you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of . . . the Democratic Party."

In October, Favorable outdid Unfavorable by 52%-36%. That's a 16-point margin.

In December, Favorable edged Unfavorable by only 1, 46%-45%. That's quite a downward turn.

[Drbio]

Polls are good for talking points. There are simply too many things that can go wrong for them to be accurate. The questions are designed with bias (whether intended or not - we see this every day), the respondents hold back true feelings, the respondents intentionally give answers they feel the pollster wants to hear, etc. There are so many other things that go wrong with polls. I know they are good for research, but they really are essentially worthless.

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by Usually Lurkin

or confuse him with gas prices

Well, he's at 30% or so, approaching that record of 27% quoted above in this thread.

I'd made a graph of the association between gas prices and pres. approval ratings back in December, but it's not as good as this guy's (which is current). I've also read elswhere (or perhaps heard on the radio?) a count of the incredibly inordinate number of "bad news" stories related to gas prices versus the number of "good news" stories on unemployment, stock indexes, and other popular measures of the economy. People blame the government (president) for gas prices, and don't factor in economic good news. It's like the white house has needed a new press secretary or something (or that the republicans need a better media industry in their pocket).

http://www.pollkatz.homestead.com/fi...0_image001.gif

[Mavdog]

interesting graph ul. although gas prices are not the only issue that is affecting the public's view of bush's job performance, there clearly is a link.