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Bush Approval at All-Time Low in U.S.

August 23, 2005

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - George W. Bush is losing public backing in the United States, according to a poll by American Research Group. 36 per cent of respondents approve of their president's performance, down six points since July.

The approval rating registered by Bush this month is the lowest of his tenure in an American Research Group survey. The American president had his best showing in January 2005 with 51 per cent.

Bush—a Republican—earned a second four-year term in November 2004. On Aug. 3 in Texas, Bush expressed satisfaction with job creation, saying, "Employment is up in 48 of the 50 states; unemployment is down to 5 per cent. That's below the average rate of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong. More people own a home today than ever before in our nation's history." 33 per cent of respondents approve of the way Bush is handling the economy, down five points in a month.

Yesterday in Utah, Bush addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention, saying, "We have lost 1,864 members of our Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 223 in Operation Enduring Freedom. (...) We will finish the task that they gave their lives for. We will honour their sacrifice by staying on the offensive against the terrorists, and building strong allies in Afghanistan and Iraq that will help us fight and win the war on terror."

Polling Data

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

 

Aug. 2005

Jul. 2005

Jun. 2005

Approve

36%

42%

42%

Disapprove

58%

52%

53%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the economy?

 

Aug. 2005

Jul. 2005

Jun. 2005

Approve

33%

38%

37%

Disapprove

62%

54%

59%

Source: American Research Group
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,100 American adults, conducted from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21, 2005. Margin of error is 2.6 per cent.