More Tepid Polling News For GWB

Polls are see saws but in President George Bush’s case the latest AP-Ipsos poll is more “saw” than “see”:

1. Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction, or are they off on the wrong track?Right direction, 36 percent ; Wrong track, 59 percent: Not sure, 5 percent

2. Overall, do you approve, disapprove or have mixed feelings about the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? Approve, 42 percent ; Disapprove, 56 percent; Mixed feelings, 1 percent; Not sure, 2 percent

3. And when it comes to handling the economy, do you approve or disapprove or have mixed feelings about the way George W. Bush is handling that issue? Approve, 42 percent; Disapprove, 56 percent; Mixed feelings, 2 percent; Not sure, percent.

There are many other questions (read it all yourself). The good news for Mr. Bush is on the question about domestic issues — a slight gain.

Also, if you look at the June results as well, you’ll see that it isn’t a DRAMATIC downward shift….but overall GWB is not on an updward trend — or even a complete holding pattern.

His disapproval rating is down one point from June…but it’s down several points on the question about the economy.

Why should we care about see-saw polls? Actually, the answer is yet to come.

Bush’s second term is peppered with a slew of issues that don’t bode well for increased popularity: the Karl Rove/Valery Plame controversy (even if Rove is cleared it is triggering and solidifying Democratic anger); the barelyon-life-support Social Security reform proposals; controversy over specifics regarding and overall Iraq war policy; controversial Supreme Court nominations (some of that tension at least slightly eased by Bush meeting with Democratic Senators to get their input).

It’s hard to see something that can start putting the numbers and thus his support on an upward trend. Even if there was another 911-type incident, it’s hard to project the same degree of unity and automatic support going to the White House.

In other words: if these trends continue as they likely will, it will likely be an increasing tempestuous second term.