Released: October 23, 2005
Bush Approval Bounce?
President’s job approval hits 45%; Voters optimistic about Iraq after Constitution passage—New Zogby America Poll
President Bush, his job approval rating beleaguered by poor marks in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, rebounded from historic lows this summer to 45% in Zogby International’s latest poll, with job approval numbers bumping back up into the range where they have hovered for most of his second term.
The survey also found that, while voters do not give the President passing marks on his handling of the Iraq War, half (50%) believe the recently-passed Iraqi constitution is a major step in the right direction for the strife-torn nation that will lead to peace and democracy. Meanwhile, 37% believe Iraq is on the brink of a civil war. The Zogby America telephone poll of 1005 likely voters, conducted from October 19 through 21, 2005, has a margin of error of +/-3.2 percentage points.
While the President’s overall job approval is up, and a 52% majority of voters hold a favorable opinion of him, his handling of any number of issues continues to score negative marks—including his handling of the War on Terror, which is now disapproved by 53% in the survey; this is typically President Bush’s strongest area in the survey.
Bush’s bounce appears to be tied to overall perception of the nation’s direction; three weeks ago, just 40% said the nation was on the right track. This number now stands at 45%.
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Voters Positive Following Passage of Iraq Constitution; Oppose Immediate Troop Withdrawal
Half of voters (50%) expressed the belief that the passage of a constitution by Iraqis is a step in the right direction and will lead to peace and democracy there. A much lower 36% expressed the belief that Iraq is on the brink of civil war and passage of the charter will make no difference. Two-thirds of voters (66%) also expressed confidence that deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would receive a fair trial.
Optimism on Iraq’s direction was more widespread than pessimism, with majorities in the East (54%), South (52%), and Central/Great Lakes (51%) regions believing the new Iraqi charter was a positive step, as did a 45% plurality in the Western U.S. This was also the majority view in Red States, with 54% believing the historic vote approving the charter was a positive step; in Blue States, a 47% plurality agreed.
Likely voters also appear committed to winning the peace in Iraq, with just 36% calling for withdrawal from the Middle-Eastern nation immediately or by year’s end; a 55% majority favored remaining until Iraq is stable and can protect itself or as long as we are asked to stay by Iraq’s government. Just 7%, however, are committed to remaining for “a few more years.” The two options that comprise staying until the job is done are the majority view in both Red States (58%) and Blue States (51%).
Despite support for bringing about a favorable conclusion to the Iraq conflict, however, the American electorate overwhelming rejects further American invasions of foreign countries to establish democracy, with 70% opposing the continued practice by the Bush Administration or sympathetic governments that follow it.
Zogby International conducted interviews of 1005 likely voters chosen at random nationwide. All calls were made from Zogby International headquarters in Utica, N.Y., from October 19 through 21, 2005. The margin of error is +/- 3.2 percentage points. Slight weights were added to region, party, age, race, religion, and genderto more accurately reflect the voting population. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups.
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zogby.com |
