Poll: Bush Approval Rating At New Low

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/...n2384943.shtml

(CBS) President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday night to a nation that's strongly opposed to his plan for increasing troops in Iraq and deeply unhappy with his performance as president, according to a CBS News poll.

Mr. Bush’s overall approval rating has fallen to just 28 percent, a new low, while more than twice as many (64 percent) disapprove of the way he's handling his job.

Two-thirds of Americans remain opposed to the president's plan for sending more than 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq — roughly the same number as after Mr. Bush announced the plan. And 72 percent believe he should seek congressional approval for the troop increase.

However, the poll finds more Americans might back the president's plan if they were convinced it would assure U.S. success in Iraq.

SHOULD U.S. SEND 20,000 MORE TROOPS TO IRAQ?

Favor
29%
Oppose
66%


…if it increased U.S.’ chances for success?

Favor
53%
Oppose
38%

However, Americans aren't convinced the U.S. needs a troop increase to achieve its goals in Iraq. Just 26 percent think that's needed, about the same number that think those goals can be reached without sending in more troops.

Forty-one percent think the U.S. can't achieve its goals regardless of troop levels.

The president's nationally televised message to Congress may not even reach many of those whose minds he would like to change. Less than half the public says it's very likely to watch the speech — and that answer comes more from those who already support him.

There's still more troubling news for the president: By a more than 2-to-1 margin, Americans think Mr. Bush does not share their priorities. Just 28 percent think he does, while 69 percent think he does not.

More than two-thirds of Americans also think the country has gotten off on the wrong track, while just 26 percent think it is headed in the right direction.

DOES BUSH SHARE YOUR PRIORITIES?

Yes
28%
No
69%

Mr. Bush's approval rating is much lower than it was one year ago, when 42 percent of Americans approved, and far lower than the ratings he received in polls prior to his previous State of the Union addresses. Those ratings have fallen steadily since a high of 82 percent in January 2002, shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

His job approval is also far below those of other modern two-term presidents at this point in their second terms.

In January 1999, for example, just after his impeachment by the House of Representatives, President Bill Clinton's job approval rating was 65 percent. In January 1987, President Ronald Reagan's was 52 percent. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson received a 47 percent approval rating, even as debate about the Vietnam War raged.

The war in Iraq remains the most important problem facing the country, cited by 33 percent of Americans, far more than mentioned the next top issues, the economy and jobs (8 percent) and health care (7 percent).

Only one in four believes the war is going even somewhat well, while three-quarters say it's going badly — something the president himself acknowledged earlier this month and the highest number since the war began.

MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM

War in Iraq
33%
Economy and jobs
8%
Health care
7%

Americans are split on whether Congress, now under Democratic control, should offer a non-binding resolution against the troop increase: 42 percent say yes and 42 percent say no. But more than half of Americans — including most Democrats — want Congress to cut off the money for the troop buildup, including a small number who want to cut funds for the entire war.

Mr. Bush is expected to talk mostly about domestic concerns in Tuesday's address — and that is what most Americans want to hear; just one in four wants to hear mostly about foreign policy and Iraq.

On the domestic front, Americans think the economy is in good shape, but a majority says the Social Security system needs to be fixed now.

The public is split on whether the 2001 tax cuts should be made permanent. More than half think the issue of illegal immigration is very serious, but are divided on whether Congress will actually pass immigration reform.

Americans continue to see global warming as a serious problem. Seven in 10 say it is a problem that is having a serious impact right now. A quarter disagrees.

[vermicious knid]

…if it increased U.S.’ chances for success?

Favor
53%
Oppose
38%

So the question is basically "If sending more troops has good results, do you like that?" What a silly question. It seems to discount anyone who does not think the escalation will do any good.

[SuzeQuze]

28% "approval" rating? That's just funny.

[mikeschmike]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

28% "approval" rating? That's just funny.

Funny, embarassing, revolting...whatever you want to call it.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by mikeschmike

Funny, embarassing, revolting...whatever you want to call it.

D., all of the above. Plus pathetic.

[DavidMn]

I'm waiting for him to show up tonight and say something to the effect of "I dont give a damn what democorats or the public thinks, the last time I checked I'm the president, and this is whats going to be done!"

[Nixxxed]

Think it's low now? Just wait until the speech is over...

- Call to reduce gas consumption by 20%, yet he's doubling the size of the SOR
- New taxes ("read his Dad's lips, people") on healthcare plans
- Everything else he says

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

I'm waiting for him to show up tonight and say something to the effect of "I dont give a damn what democorats or the public thinks, the last time I checked I'm the president, and this is whats going to be done!"

i think that's basically been his attitude since day 1.

y'know, he's the decider and all.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

Think it's low now? Just wait until the speech is over...

- Call to reduce gas consumption by 20%, yet he's doubling the size of the SOR
- New taxes ("read his Dad's lips, people") on healthcare plans
- Everything else he says

i think it's time to bring back the vomitorium as a public space ... we can set up tv's to watch the SOTU and then puke our guts out after. it'll be great.

[estranged4life]

Think I will watch ECW tonight, Extreme wrasslin' is much more entertaining than hearing from the asses' lips

I still think the creator of the 'mute button' should be awarded for creating the greatest invention in history...It makes ALL politicians more tolerable

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

- New taxes ("read his Dad's lips, people") on healthcare plans

Bush Superior said "Read my taxes, no new lips"

[Nixxxed]

And don't forget, people:

In tonight's speech when Dubya says "Sept. 11" (or any of its variations) or otherwise plays the terror card,

DRINK!

I promise the speech will be much easier to endure.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

And don't forget, people:

In tonight's speech when Dubya says "Sept. 11" (or any of its variations) or otherwise plays the terror card,

DRINK!

I promise the speech will be much easier to endure.

i knew i was saving that bottle of jager for something.

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by Nixxxed

And don't forget, people:

In tonight's speech when Dubya says "Sept. 11" (or any of its variations) or otherwise plays the terror card,

DRINK!

I promise the speech will be much easier to endure.

that's all we'll need, more Bush ballhugging voters getting drunk on each mention of 911 and procreating more backwood retards for the military to send off to finish Georgie-Juniors 'job for Daddy dearest'

Since I dont drink, How about I fart when he mentions 911 instead? I betcha I could singlehandedly solve the 'gas' problems of the reliance on foreign fuel for the US

[Nixxxed]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

Since I dont drink, How about I fart when he mentions 911 instead? I betcha I could singlehandedly solve the 'gas' problems of the reliance on foreign fuel for the US

Bong hits are also acceptable.

Bingo anyone?

http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v002...ngo/bingo.html