Posted on 08/26/2005 4:00:49 PM PDT by RWR8189
PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll reflects further erosion in President George W. Bush's job approval rating, continuing the slow but steady decline evident throughout the year so far. The poll -- conducted Aug. 22-25 -- puts Bush's job approval rating at 40% and his disapproval rating at 56%. Both are the most negative ratings of the Bush administration. Bush's previous low point in approval was 44% (July 25-28, 2005) and his previous high point in disapproval was 53% (June 24-26, 2005).
Bush's average approval rating for the last three Gallup Polls -- all conducted in August -- is 43%. The rolling average has been steadily declining throughout the year. Bush's average approval ratings for January, February, and March of this year were in the 50% to 52% range, but they then began declining slowly in subsequent months. Bush's average approval rating in May was 48%, declining to 46% in June, rising slightly in July, and then declining again to the current three-poll average of 43%.
The following chart shows the rolling average for Bush's job approval rating this year, with each average consisting of three poll measurements.
The current poll finds a drop in support for Bush among independents, and a small drop in support among Republicans to the lowest level of his administration.
In two July polls in which Bush averaged an overall 49% approval rating, an average of 46% of independents approved. In the subsequent three polls (July 25-28, Aug. 5-7, and Aug. 8-11), Bush's overall approval average dropped to 45%, and his average support among independents fell to 37%. Now, in the current poll, 32% of independents approve. (An average of 41% of independents have approved across all 2005 polls to date, excluding the most recent poll.)
(Excerpt) Read more at gallup.com ...
The polls in 2006 may matter if it hands Congress to the Dems. We all tend to believe polls when they are giving good news (were they any less valid for the ~ 90% approval rating after 9-11?), and dismiss the bad. But people are uneasy with the perceived mess in Iraq. We can bicker about the MSM not giving a clear picture, but perception is reality in politics, and the admistration had better go on the offensive and assure the people that what gets established in Iraq is ultimately friendly to us, and worth the lives and limbs of our soldiers.
If what gets established in Iraq is an Islamic regime friendly with Iran, then the administration has only itself to blame - the uneasiness that is reflected in the polls is real.
Democracy is Not a Popularity Contest !!
/s
What is MSM approval ratings these days?
But even more voted the other way and the demos numbers dwindled. I believe they will dwindle even further in the mid terms.
In other words, polling is basically BS
Gallup the last poll before the election gave Kerry 90 percent of the undecided. They had them even 49-49 but if they had given bush a fair amount of the undecided he would have been ahead by 2 points in their final poll. Just a little bias there.
Typical fraudulent push poll.
Yeah, right. They were one of the worst in 2004. They were almost as sauced as Zogby but not quite.
Actually the question is rhetorical, I know the answer. So I have nothing but scorn for Gallup. Of course they may be right about Bush's approval but I don't give a crap, I mostly approve.
True, but Bush's numbers are down. Now maybe he's decided that he's going to do what it takes to protect this country, but he is much more effective if he has 53/54 approval.
Bush is somewhat at the mercy of facts on the ground, but he could have handled that horrible week when 21 Marines were killed. That caused unease and the Bush administration did not handle it well. There was a vacuum and along comes Cindy. And now we're down to 40% approval.
I'd like to see the whole PR/communications team at the White House fired. They are always blind sided by this stuff.
two issues are causing this
illegal invasion
gas prices
but who really cares
I WANT to like Bush. I NEED to like Bush. I think he has a tin ear to the general public. At least, when he talks through the media he sounds detached, and scripted.
The best thing for him to do is break through the handlers and tell people what he really thinks.
He lost me months ago. The '06 elections are going to be ugly.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
I have a sense that his numbers have just about bottomed out and will begin to climb back to normal again. The left has over-extended on their undermining of our people in Iraq and will soon do the same regarding the John Roberts hearings. Americans have not really been paying attention, but the rats over-the-top behavior, together with things like the "you don't speak for me, Cindy" traveling demonstration will wake them up and fill them with disgust.
I hope.
"On March 18, 1981, The New York Times ran a brief report on the Gallup poll at the bottom of page 22: ...As the story went on to point out, not only were Reagan’s "approval" ratings the lowest, but his "disapproval" ratings were nearly three times higher than the ratings of other presidents."
Nov./Dec., 1987 The Myth of the Great Communicator By Elliot King and Michael Schudson
Your post made me feel better. I'm hoping the President turns it around soon. He seems listless, tired to me. Maybe that vacation will help. Plus a new communications head!
Let's just toss out the guy that actually got the 2004 election on the money? That makes sense.
LLS
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