Bush's approval rating falls to new low
 

Bush's approval rating falls to new low

53 percent say they disapprove of president in new Post-ABC survey

By By Richard Morin and Dan Balz

Rising gas prices and ongoing bloodshed in Iraq continue to take their toll on President Bush, whose standing with the public has sunk to an all-time low, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The survey found Bush's job approval rating at 45 percent, down seven points since January and the lowest ever recorded for the president in Post-ABC surveys. Fifty-three percent disapproved of the job Bush is doing.

The war has been a drag on Bush's presidency for many months, but his Iraq approval ratings in the new poll were little changed from two months ago, despite widespread violence, a rash of U.S. casualties, antiwar protests outside the president's Texas ranch and a growing debate about reducing U.S. troop levels.

What may have pushed Bush's overall ratings down in the latest poll is pervasive dissatisfaction over soaring gasoline prices. Two-thirds of those surveyed said gas prices are causing financial hardship to them or their families. Gas prices stand to go even higher after Hurricane Katrina's rampage through the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico.

More ominously for the president, six in 10 Americans said there are steps the administration could take to reduce gas prices. Slightly more than a third say the recent run-up has been due to factors beyond the administration's control.

"I supported him last year," said Gina Coleman, 29, a homemaker living in Camden County, N.J. "I wouldn't vote for him again. It's gas prices, the war -- just the way he has been handling things. The rise in gas is something that has been happening for a long time, and the prices are getting worse. This makes me feel more negative about him, definitely."

Bush also received negative marks for his handling of immigration, the economy and Social Security, although his ratings on the latter two were not as low as they were two months ago. A majority of Americans supported his handling of the campaign against terrorism.

Bad news for Congress, Democrats, too
The poll numbers paint a portrait of national frustration with the direction and leadership of the country, which, if not reversed in coming months, is likely to color the environment for next year's midterm elections, putting incumbents in both parties on the defensive.

Dissatisfaction is not limited to the president. Fewer than four in 10 Americans -- 37 percent -- approve of the way the Republican-controlled Congress is doing its job, the lowest rating for lawmakers in nearly eight years.

The survey also provided bad news for Democratic leaders, who are judged as offering Bush only tepid opposition. Slightly more than half of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with congressional Democrats for not opposing Bush more aggressively.

Self-identified Democrats were particularly impatient. More than three in four said congressional Democrats have not gone far enough to oppose Bush on Iraq or on administration policies in general.

"Somebody needs to speak up," said Michelle Burgess, 41, a home health aide in St. Louis. "Enough is enough. I don't understand why we're over there in Iraq or what he's doing on other issues. There are too many lives being lost."

Independents were similarly dissatisfied with Democratic leaders for not challenging the president over the war and other issues, with six in 10 saying Democrats have been too meek.

Public attitudes toward the war have not changed significantly since the first of the year, the poll found. Slightly more than four in 10 -- 42 percent -- approved of the job Bush is doing in Iraq; 57 percent disapproved, unchanged in recent months. Slightly more than half -- 53 percent -- said the war was not worth it, while 46 percent said it was, identical to the results of a Post-ABC poll two months ago. By a 51 percent to 38 percent ratio, the public said the United States is winning the war, despite mounting casualties and insurgent attacks.

A majority (54 percent) continued to say the United States should keep military forces in Iraq until civil order is restored there; 44 percent said U.S. forces should be withdrawn. Six in 10 opposed announcing a timetable for withdrawal. Only about one in eight -- 13 percent -- said U.S. forces should be withdrawn immediately.

Michael Strickland, 31, a factory worker who lives in Pine Bluff, Ark., said he opposed the war before the United States invaded in March 2003: " It's just another Vietnam. . . . No matter what we do over there, they are going to kill us."

His solution: withdraw -- but not immediately. "Don't tell them when we're going to leave. . . . But do it in a reasonable time frame -- six months to a year. Even if we leave, it can't get any worse over there."

These ambivalent feelings about the war and Bush's policies in Iraq are felt even by many of his supporters who continue to back the U.S. invasion.

'Really mixed feelings'
"I have really mixed feelings, like probably the whole country has," said Wayne Almlie, 51, a warehouse worker and part-time pastor in Des Moines, who said he approves of Bush's overall performance. "We need to stay the course. I really think we do. The whole region would disintegrate if we would pull out. . . . I'd hate to have to be making those decision."

Despite escalating bloodshed, the struggles to approve a draft constitution and the well-covered antiwar protests led by Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, the survey found little evidence that antiwar sentiment has increased the past two months.

The survey also found that Sheehan, who has been protesting the war outside Bush's ranch near Crawford, Tex., has become the most visible symbol of the antiwar movement. Fully three in four Americans have heard or read about her.

Sheehan met last year with Bush at an event for military families and has been seeking another meeting with him. Slightly more than half of the country -- 52 percent -- said Bush should meet her again; 46 percent said he should not. Fifty-three percent supported what she is doing and 42 percent opposed.

The poll found that opposition to the war has deepened among Democrats. Two months ago, two in three Democrats said they strongly disapproved of Bush's handling of Iraq; that has risen to three in four. Over that same period, the proportion of Democrats who described themselves as "angry" over Bush's Iraq policies has risen from 36 percent to 46 percent.

The poll found that Sheehan's activities may have helped increase support for the war among Bush supporters. Although eight in 10 Americans said Sheehan's protests have not changed their attitudes toward the war, one in 10 said she has made them more likely to support the conflict -- the same proportion that said she has made them less likely to support the war.

A total of 1,006 randomly selected adults were interviewed by telephone Aug. 25-28. The margin of sampling error for the results is plus or minus three percentage points.

How could you vote for him again Gina? He's in his second term. :confused:

that's what gets me. These dumb bunnies who are beginning to disapprove voted for him twice! What did they think they were getting?

If you bring a dog home from the pound, it might bark a little. That's what dogs do. Who but a moron would be surprised or disappointed that their new dog barks from time to time?

You twice vote to stick a guy into the highest office in the land, who can't even speak English (or any other language, as far as I know) & who has never in his life shown any tiny sign of rationality, intelligence, foresight or knowledge of anything in this world or out of it, & he keeps the country in a perpetual state of warfare & near-medieval darkness throughout his terms .................... AND YOU'RE SURPRISED?!

Get a clue, dumb bunnies.

Of course, requesting that dumb bunnies get a clue may be just as foolish as asking the dog not to bark.

Sesly
 

Presi-dunce Asshat...
 

is circling N'Orleans in Air Force One at this exact moment...I betcha he is figuring out how to make more $$$$ off this disaster for his @#$%^&* gasoline business buddies of the world as he circles like the vulture that he is...

Too bad we couldnt see for real what the intro music of Megadeth's "Blackmail the Universe" from the "The System Has Failed" disc plays...That Air Force One gets taken out of the sky, be better to see if happen here in the US instead of in the Middle East.

Brian "George Bush-Your system has FAILED!!!" j.

Christy ... really ... he'll just get in the way.

:lol: :lol:

:laugh: :laugh: Use your heads people. You don't have it to do over again, you voted for him along with many other efftards, TWICE! There's no turning back. :distress:

Never say never. :shrug: This could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Hate to be the...
 

harbinger of bad news, But the 'camel' was lifeless years ago...It never felt its back being broken whatsoever.

Touche'. :)

I don't know what you mean by that. :confused: Do you mean impeachment?

Incidentally I heard an old audio clip of Cheney talking about Iraq, during Bush I's term, and he said that going in there and taking out Saddam would mean having to help build a new government which would likely result in a quagmire. :shocked:

I didn't mean anything specific, Suze. I don't know what's going to happen. The guy's got a lower approval rating than Nixon at the time of impeachment articles being drawn. The news doesn't want to talk about it but we all know the **** is getting pretty deep. Something's got to give, wouldn't you think?

Yes. I'm pretty tired today, a little slow. But you meant what I thought you meant. I'm happy people are waking up while simultaneously being sickened by the path of destruction that had to be laid before people could see him for who he is.

As I just said...
 

to Deb (She asked "How many more years of Bush do we have left?", My reply "Not enough"), At least I didnt vote for him :nod:

Let me just jump in here and be the tread killer. Who are they polling anyway? The ones they called before to see if they changed their minds? What about his supporters? Let's see...go to "Texas Military Families Foundation"...click under "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy!" tour which started in California and ended in Waco just this past weekend. Just one of many. A majority of the soldiers I have spoken with support Bush (I didn't not say all, o.k.?) and I have spoken with many. Their families may not be happy with him, for purely selfish reasons of course. But not supporting our government does send a message to our troops. Don't underestimate the impact of your comments. *gets off soap box* :)

You would think so- however, the American public is really, really stupid. Need evidence? The looters in New Orleans.

All I have to say to that is- f*ck that ****.

And of course...
 

reality TV is proof of this also :nod:

From the article "A total of 1,006 randomly selected adults were interviewed by telephone Aug. 25-28. The margin of sampling error for the results is plus or minus three percentage points."

It is a random survey. What does the disapproval of the president's job have to do with supporting the troops? My words are not the ones making the mission futile, it's the effort itself that is causing the damage. If the troops have low morale, then that is not from what I say it is from what the president has done.

Oh Towie :xoxo: :laugh:

As everyone knows...
 

I diehardly support OUR soldiers...However, I do not support our U.S. leaders.

Brian "Peace sells...But Who's Buying?" j.

:shocked: :eek: Sorry you feel that way

But the two work together...and if you do not support our leaders...what does that say to those that oppose us? :shrug:

Lol
 

They may work together...
 

but that doesnt not change my opinion on the U.S. leaders...I have grown tired of seeing U.S. soldiers dying daily in the Middle East for really no apparent reason at all.

Most in the world outside the US do not support this war.

I did support it when we were going after OBL after 9/11, But what has happened to that mission? Seems to have no longer become the primary mission of the Bush admist in this "War on Terror".

I am more worried about what will happen here in the U.S. than what is happening over in Iraq at this moment, I feel we are balancing on the edge of what can eventually be the start of the next civil war between those who have and those who have nothing.

As I told my sis last night "The only positive about Mom dying is that she wont have to suffer the way those of us among the living will suffer as everything crashes down upon us in the VERY near future."...Her response was "I think were at the end of it all now"...I have to say I agree, The **** is dryly stuck on the fan blades.

Brian "The Independent Ledgie" j.

Sorry I feel what way?

It says that we are a democracy and have every right to respectfully disagree with out leaders and hold them accountable for their actions.

As most everyone knows around here, I am a republican...but even I have come to just not even understand President Bush right now and the decisions he is making. I supported the war in the beginning...and IMO we did what we needed to do in Iraq...they are finally free and trying to set up a form of government...but we really don't need to be there anymore, at least I don't think so right now.

So I can understand how his ratings have fallen like they have...I don't think he is a horrible person...but I don't think all of his decisions right now are great.

"I HEAR THE DRUMS OF WAR, THEY ARE A CHANGING
AND EVERYBODY’S GETTING IN THE GROOVE
WE’RE LAUGHING AND DANCING AND TALKING AND JAMMIN’ AND SINGIN’
OH, WE’VE GOT NOTHIN’ BUT LOVE TO PROVE..."

-- Faith Hill

It just seems like I pissed your off...not my intention.

I agree with what you say...but you said the word "respectfully"...and I don't think that is the case with a lot of folks.

When asked, Bush's words were "I don't know where he is, it's not that important, it's not our priority."

I was thinking about this yesterday. It can't keep going this way because the people will rise up. The disaster in NO shows the divide well, there are no wealthy people there now. Unless they're nuts.

It scares me to think of what the breaking point could be. I just try to hope for the best.

It isnt an issue...
 

of how they will rise-up, It's an issue of when (Just saw a report where a N'Orleans Super Wal-Mart's complete stock of firearms was looted, That is a scary thought.)

This situation is not going to get better before it gets worse.

Boy, howdy. Nothing personal, but that sort of statement really scares me. It really betrays a naive & dangerous notion as to the relationship between the individual & the state, which is really the great political theme of modern times.

The responsibility of any free individual -- & any individual who desires to remain so -- is not to "support" his government but to scrutinize its deeds & aims, to the most minute detail.

Government is a necessary evil -- a rabid dog that must be kept on a short leash -- not a surrogate parent or a wayward child who needs only a pat on the back from time to time or a lecture on behavior.

By paying my taxes & adhering to the laws of the land, I "support" this government -- by mutual agreement: I agree to X in exchange for Y (in this case, infrastructure, various services, national security, etc.). If government decides to knock heads with any citizen, it is the citizen who will lose. Remember that, & remember also that every citizen owes his freedom equally to other citizens who have secured it for him & to his own diligence in monitoring government excess & mismanagement (what the Founding Fathers wisely called "tyranny").

Hmmm.... well, I wouldn't say that you "pissed me off". However, in this day and age how anyone could think that disagreeing with the people who run the government is somehow wrong is shocking to me.

I know
 

That line brings back...
 

a bad memory, "The Tree of liberty must be freshened from time-to-time with the blood of tyrants"...

That was writing on the t-shirt that Tim McVeigh was wearing when he was arrested on I-35 heading towards Kansas after the Murrah Building Bombing on April 19,1995.

I can understand your point...when you voice it that way. Seriously, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. But, I feel that if you disagree, you should come up with a viable solution to the problem and present it, LOUDLY, to your senators, congressmen, etc. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Can you see my view?

I can't really see your view, since I can't really define it.

What does this:
Have to do with this:
Whoever said I don't complain to my elected representatives? I have issues with, in particular, two of your statements:

1)I completely disagree with that statement and that is an insult to anyone who has a child who has had to go to war.

2)Implying that "not supporting" the government somehow has an "impact" on the people serving in the military is ludicrous.

POT - KETTLE - BLACK

So, if German citizen spoke out against Hitler, they were bad :shrug:

I mean can't we all chew gum and walk at the same time?

I get that Hitler was way worse than W, but it is a fact that W manipulated evidence to invade a country that had nothing to do with 9/11, which was the premise of W's rushed invasion of Iraq and Iraq had no WMD and W knew this at least regarding the yellow cake, which was the main source of his reason for the rush to war - I mean he said "mushroom cloud" when he knew there was no such threat.

In the end, those are facts and stating them is a good thing to show how inane W is at defending this country. If anything, saying the facts supports the troops far more than W did when he sent them to war on a contrived and bogus reason and then sending them ill equipped at that. The are the facts and they cannot be refuted :shrug: So, how is it wrong to expect W to be held accountable for them? I mean not saying them would allow W to do it again and how can anyone want that?

In the end, W should be tried and convicted for his rush to war and subsequent ill planning to win the peace much less an exit strategy. Yet, all we can talk about is gay marriage and how it is responsible for the woes of the US :rolleyes: