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Bush Approval Closes Year at Mid-30s in U.S.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for George W. Bush remains stable in the United States, according to two recent public opinion polls. 36 per cent of respondents to a survey by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN approve of the American president's performance. Bush's approval rating remains at 35 per cent in a study by American Research Group.
Bush—a Republican—earned a second four-year term in the November 2004 presidential election. On Dec. 23 in his weekly radio address, Bush spoke directly to American soldiers, saying, "I want our troops to know that while the coming year will bring change, one thing will not change, and that is our nation's support for you and the vital work you do to achieve a victory in Iraq."
American voters renewed the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate on Nov. 7. The Democratic Party will take control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1994, with 233 lawmakers. A victory for the Democratic candidates for the Senate in Montana and Virginia also gave the party a majority in the upper house.
Polling Data
a) Do you approve or disapprove of George W. Bush's performance as president?
Dec. 17 | Nov. 19 | Oct. 29 | Oct. 22 | |
Approve | 36% | 38% | 37% | 39% |
Disapprove | 62% | 59% | 58% | 58% |
Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,019 American adults, conducted from Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, 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?
Dec. 2006 | Nov. 2006 | Oct. 2006 | Sept. 2006 | |
Approve | 35% | 35% | 36% | 38% |
Disapprove | 61% | 60% | 58% | 57% |
Source: American Research Group
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,100 American adults, conducted from Dec. 18 to Dec. 21, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.