Poll: Bush at low point, GOP support weakens

updated 10:49 a.m. ET March 10, 2006

WASHINGTON - More and more people, even more Republicans, disapprove of President Bush’s performance, question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism, according to an AP-Ipsos poll documenting one of the bleakest points of his presidency.

Nearly four out of five Americans, including 70 percent of Republicans, believe civil war will break out in Iraq — the bloody hot spot upon which Bush has staked his presidency. Nearly 70 percent of people say the U.S. is on the wrong track, a 6-point jump since February.

“I’m not happy with how things are going,” said Margaret Campanelli, a retiree in Norwich, Conn., who said she tends to vote GOP. “I’m particularly not happy with Iraq, not happy with how things worked with Hurricane Katrina.”

Republican Party leaders said the survey explains why GOP lawmakers are rushing to distance themselves from Bush on a range of issues — port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade, for example.

The positioning is most intense among Republicans facing election in November and those considering 2008 presidential campaigns.

“You’re in the position of this cycle now that is difficult anyway. In second term off-year elections, there gets to be a familiarity factor,” said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a potential presidential candidate.

“People have seen and heard (Bush’s) ideas long enough and that enters into their thinking. People are kind of, ‘Well, I wonder what other people can do,”’ he said.

Lowest approval of presidency
The poll suggests that most Americans wonder whether Bush is up to the job. The survey, conducted Monday through Wednesday of 1,000 people, found that just 37 percent approve of his overall performance. That is the lowest of his presidency.

Bush’s job approval among Republicans fell from 82 percent in February to 74 percent, a dangerous sign in a midterm election year when parties rely on enthusiasm from their most loyal voters.

Bush’s approval among men dropped from 49 percent last month to 41 percent this month, and the drop was especially pronounced among those men without a college education. The biggest losses were among white males.

By comparison, Presidents Clinton and Reagan had public approval in the mid 60s at this stage of their second terms in office, while Eisenhower was close to 60 percent, according to Gallup polls. Nixon, who was increasingly tangled up in the Watergate scandal, was in the high 20s in early 1974.

On issues, Bush’s approval rating declined from 39 percent to 36 percent for his handling of domestic affairs and from 47 percent to 43 percent on foreign policy and terrorism. His approval ratings for dealing with the economy and Iraq held steady, but still hovered around 40 percent.

Likable, dependable, strong?
Personally, far fewer Americans consider Bush likable, honest, strong and dependable than they did just after his re-election campaign.

About six in 10 said Bush is likable, up slightly from 52 percent in November, and slightly lower than 63 percent in August. In August, 50 percent of Democrats found Bush likable, while 28 percent said that in November and now it’s at 38 percent.

Almost half, 46 percent, said Bush is dependable, down from 55 percent in August. Not quite half of men, said Bush is dependable, down from 62 percent in August. A third of minorities said Bush is dependable, down from 44 percent in August.

Fifty-seven percent said Bush is strong, down from 64 percent in August. The drop was especially large among young men, age 18-24, who went from 71 percent in August to 59 percent now. Just over half of older women, 53 percent, said Bush is strong, compared with 66 percent in August. And 84 percent of Republicans say Bush is strong, compared with 91 percent in August.

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