[Mb-civic] President's Poll Rating Falls to a New Low - Washington Post

[William Swiggard]

President's Poll Rating Falls to a New Low
In Post-ABC Survey, 53 Percent of Respondents Say They Disapprove of Bush

By Richard Morin and Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, August 31, 2005; Page A06

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.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/30/AR2005083000302.html
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