Bush Ratings on Iraq, Economy at Lows, Gallup Says (Update1)
May 6 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush's support for his handling of the economy, foreign affairs, the war in Iraq and terrorism have dropped to record lows, according to a Gallup Organization survey taken Sunday through Tuesday.
The nationwide poll of 1,000 adults found that 49 percent approve of the way Bush, 57, is doing his job overall and 48 percent disapprove. His approval rating is down from 52 percent in an April 16-18 poll and 60 percent in a Jan. 2-5 survey. The latest poll had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
Gallup conducted the survey as reports of U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners were drawing reaction from the White House and Congress, and troops in Iraq faced continued attacks from insurgents. Only 42 percent of those surveyed said they approve of the way Bush is handling the situation in Iraq, down from 48 percent in the April poll and 61 percent in January.
``The public apologies and appearances by Bush have intensified the focus on the situation there in the past couple of days,'' Gallup pollsters David Moore and Frank Newport said on the organization's Web site. ``The full impact of the abuse allegations and Bush's response may not yet be reflected.''
Bush's approval rating for his handling of the economy dropped to a new low of 41 percent in the latest poll, with 56 percent saying they disapproved. The president's ratings for handling foreign affairs and terrorism fell to 42 percent and 52 percent respectively, also new lows. In the April 16-18 survey, Bush got a 60 percent approval rating for handling terrorism.
quote.bloomberg.com
CBS News/New York Times poll, conducted April 23-27.
Bush's approval rating is down to 46 percent approve/47 percent disapprove (40/47 among independents)—the lowest of his presidency and the first net negative rating in this poll. Bush's approval rating on foreign policy is now 40/51 (36/52 among independents), also the lowest of his presidency, as is his rating on Iraq at 41/52 (independents: 37/53). And his rating on the economy remains below 40 at 39/54 (36/57 among independents).
www.tompaine.com |
