Bush Terrorism Approval Rating Drops Amid Controversy (Barf Alert)

Gallup.com ^ | 3/31/04 | Gallup News Service

[NYC Republican]

On Tuesday, the Bush administration agreed to allow national security adviser Condoleezza Rice to testify publicly before the commission investigating what the government knew before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This is just the latest in an ongoing controversy that started with the release of former Clinton and Bush administration counterterrorism expert Richard Clarke's new book, in which he criticized the lack of concerted U.S. government action on terrorism before Sept. 11. Last week, the controversy was fueled by the highly publicized testimony of officials from the Bush and Clinton administrations (including Clarke) before the commission.

A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll finds that George W. Bush's approval rating for handling the terrorism issue has dropped to the lowest of his presidency amid the controversy. The public generally does not believe the terrorist attacks could have been prevented, but does say that the Bush and Clinton administrations could have done more to prevent terrorism. A slight majority -- perhaps in response to the mounting pressure on Rice to testify in public -- believes the Bush administration is covering up something about its handling of intelligence information prior to the terrorist attacks. As Clarke and current Bush administration officials trade public criticism of each other, Americans are evenly divided over whom they tend to believe in the matter.

The poll, conducted March 26-28, finds Bush's approval rating for handling terrorism at 58%, the lowest since Gallup began tracking this following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The previous low was a 64% rating last September. Clearly, Bush's perceived efforts against terrorism have been a strength of his presidency, and his approval ratings on terror typically rank above all other major domestic and international issues confronting him

[NYC Republican]

There they go again, highlighting the ONLY (RELATIVELY)negative number in the whole poll. President Bush's favorability rating is at 57%, his approval is at 53%, and he had a 12 point swing from the last poll - he was down by 8, now he's yp by 4!

More BLATANT media bias, trying to influence opinions rather than just report the news!

[jraven]

What do polls matter? It's media bias (UNLESS it is a poll that I like that shows Bush ahead...then I will post it and point to it)

[Reagan Man]

Following these polls too closely at this early stage, will drive anyone crazy. Observing the trends is different. At this point the trend indicates a roller coaster of a general election campaign. Political postureing is front and center, and Bush has more cash to posture then Kerry does.

[DTA]

The question of what BUSH KNEW is raised to hide the obvious - what CLINTON DID to aid AL QAEDA.

MADRID 3/11 has made this question urgent.

CLINTON HELPED AQ establish base in Bosnia. Without this support, there would be no 911 and perhaps no 3-11

That's what this Democrat rant is all about. Republicans should concentrate on Madrid findings.