Issue Watch

About Angus Reid Global Monitor

The definitive online source for examining worldwide public opinion and democratic processes.

The Global Monitor is a vital source of timely political intelligence for journalists, students, policy makers, and citizens. By merging academic expertise with the highest journalistic standards, we seek to advance research, improve information exchange, and enhance understanding of the changing dynamic of public opinion and democracy.
Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

All fields are required.

Bush Numbers Reach All-Time Low in U.S.

March 19, 2006

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Fewer Americans are satisfied with George W. Bush, according to five recent public opinion polls. In the survey by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today, 36 per cent of respondents approve of the president's performance, down one point since early March.

In a study by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 33 per cent of respondents hold a positive opinion of Bush, down seven points in a month. In a poll by Hart/McInturff released by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News, 37 per cent of respondents approve of the way the president is doing his job.

Bush's rating stands at 39 per cent in studies by Opinion Dynamics for Fox News, and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and Public Opinion Strategies for National Public Radio.

Bush—a Republican—earned a second four-year term in the November 2004 presidential election. His numbers in the Gallup, Pew, Hart/McInturff and National Public Radio polls represent all-time approval lows.

Yesterday in his weekly radio address, Bush discussed the coalition effort in Iraq, saying, "More fighting and sacrifice will be required to achieve this victory, and for some, the temptation to retreat and abandon our commitments is strong. Yet there is no peace, there's no honour, and there's no security in retreat. So America will not abandon Iraq to the terrorists who want to attack us again. We will finish the mission. By defeating the terrorists in Iraq, we will bring greater security to our own country. And when victory is achieved, our troops will return home with the honour they have earned."

Polling Data

a) Do you approve or disapprove of how George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

Mar. 12

Mar. 1

Feb. 9

Jan. 12

Approve

36%

38%

42%

43%

Disapprove

60%

60%

55%

53%

Source: Gallup / CNN / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,001 American adults, conducted from Mar. 10 to Mar. 12, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

b) Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

Mar. 2006

Feb. 2006

Jan. 2006

Approve

33%

40%

38%

Disapprove

57%

52%

54%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,405 American adults, conducted from Mar. 8 to Mar. 12, 2006. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.

c) In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job that George W. Bush is doing as president?

Mar. 2006

Jan. 2006

Dec. 2005

Approve

37%

39%

39%

Disapprove

58%

54%

55%

Source: Hart/McInturff / The Wall Street Journal / NBC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,005 American adults, conducted from Mar. 10 to Mar. 13, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

d) Do you approve or disapprove of how George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

Mar. 15

Mar. 1

Feb. 8

Jan. 24

Approve

39%

39%

44%

41%

Disapprove

51%

54%

47%

51%

Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 900 registered American voters, conducted on Mar. 14 and Mar. 15, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

e) Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Bush is handling his job as president?

Mar. 2006

Dec. 2005

Aug. 2005

Approve

39%

44%

49%

Disapprove

58%

54%

47%

Source: Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research / Public Opinion Strategies / National Public Radio
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 800 registered American voters, conducted from Mar. 12 to Mar. 14, 2006. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.