New Poll: Bush’s Disapproval Rating At Highest Point

Yes, polls can be see-saw but President George Bush’s polls are now more saw than see — as a new poll gives him his highest disapproval ratings:

The number of Americans disapproving of President Bush’s job performance has risen to the highest level of his presidency, according to the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released Monday.

According to the poll, 53 percent of respondents said they disapproved of Bush’s performance, compared to 45 percent who approved. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The 53 percent figure was the highest disapproval rating recorded in the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll since Bush became president in January 2001.

The approval percentage — 45 percent — matches a low point set in late March. The 8-point gap between those who disapproved and approved was the largest recorded during Bush’s tenure.

As Bush prepares to address the nation Tuesday to defend his Iraq policy, just 40 percent of those responding to the poll said they approved of his handling of the war; 58 percent said they disapproved.

The approval rating on Iraq was unchanged from a poll in late May, and the disapproval figure marked an increase of 2 percentage points.

But the poll also found that issues other than the Iraq war may be dragging down Bush’s numbers.

Some thoughts on this:

1. Perhaps the setting of tonight’s speech is not the wisest. Presidents from the mid 20th century on generally used the Oval Office to deliver vital policy speeches. Why? Because its symbolic of a President speaking about a serious matter from his residence/workplace and LIFTS any President from campaign mode. Bush will have some of his message today distracted by the fact that he is delivering it in a military setting and some who disagree with focus on the campaign image aspect of it. This could dilute part of what he says since the goal of this speech isn’t to just consolidate support but to win over doubters and opponents.
2. These polls numbers — particularly if this trend continues — means Democrats have fewer reasons not to oppose him on key issues.
3. These poll numbers cannot but encourage Republicans who are opposing the administration and Majority Leader Bill Frist on various issues. Even some GOPers who aren’t opposing him may be more relucant to follow the White House since they have an eye of 2006 (but GWB can always count on Bill Frist)

Also, if you read our post below, Newsweek reports that Jeb Bush my well run in 2008. This would not be the most terrific political context for JB — if these polls continue.

Another tidbit stands out:

The president’s worst numbers in the latest poll came on the issue of Social Security, with respondents disapproving of his performance by a margin of more than 2-to-1 — 64 percent to 31 percent.

This was supposed to be the administration’s second-term centerpiece. With numbers like that, it’s hard to see how the proposal is, if not dead, then on life support (pardon the expression).

Now the question are: with Social Security reform as outlined by the President tanking, and Iraq support wavering, what does the White House do to increase support? Offer some more policy proposals? Polarize and stay in campaign mode? A combination of both? Stay tuned. There is likely to be some kind of shift in some area soon since what we’re watching is the domestic erosion of a President’s clout.

SOME OTHER VIEWS:
–The Left Coaster:”Think there’s a lot riding on Bush’s speech Tuesday in front of a Stepford crowd at Fort Bragg, wherein he will blame others for Iraq?There is.”
–Kevin Drum offers an interesting graph showing GWB’s poll side and writes:”To memorialize that, here’s a pleasant bedtime picture: Professor Pollkatz’s poll roundup showing Bush’s long, steady slide into oblivion. It was briefly interrupted last year by a few hundred million dollars in advertising, but with the fantasy machine now on hiatus there’s nothing but bad news as far as the eye can see… “
–Josh Marshall:”With numbers like that, is there really any reason imaginable why any Democrat should feel even the slightest need to move even an inch toward accomodation with President Bush’s agenda of phasing out Social Security? How unpopular would a president need to be before his unpopularity made it safe to follow the dictates of your own principles?”
–John Cole:”I guess it is too early to suggest having oral sex with interns, but something needs to happen or this will be viewed by many as a failed Presidency.”