President's ratings hit new low in poll

Fewer than one in 10 adults say they would prefer a congressional candidate who is a Republican and who agrees with Bush on most major issues, according to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday. Even among Republicans, seven of 10 are most likely to back a candidate who has had at least some disagreements with the president. (Related: Poll results) Bush's job-approval rating sank to a record 37%, down from a previous low of 39% a month ago. By 12 points, those surveyed say the country would be better off if Democrats controlled Congress.

"All of this is a culmination: How we ended up going into Iraq, gasoline prices, the underlying economic jitters, the sense that the president is out of touch with what the average person wants," Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio says. "What good news have people heard?"

What good news have people heard? Talk about not paying attention. "Fewer than one in 10 adults say they would prefer a congressional candidate who is a Republican and who agrees with Bush....

President's ratings hit new low in poll
By Susan Page, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Americans' views of President Bush and his trustworthiness have hit new lows, a downturn that could make it more difficult for him to push his legislative agenda and to boost Republican candidates in next year's congressional elections.

Fewer than one in 10 adults say they would prefer a congressional candidate who is a Republican and who agrees with Bush on most major issues, according to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday. Even among Republicans, seven of 10 are most likely to back a candidate who has had at least some disagreements with the president. (Related: Poll results)

Bush's job-approval rating sank to a record 37%, down from a previous low of 39% a month ago. The poll finds growing criticism of the president, unease about the nation's direction and opposition to the war in Iraq.

"All of this is a culmination: How we ended up going into Iraq, gasoline prices, the underlying economic jitters, the sense that the president is out of touch with what the average person wants," Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio says. "What good news have people heard?"

G. Terry Madonna, a political scientist and director of the non-partisan Keystone Poll in Pennsylvania, sees officeholders in the state reacting to Bush's declining ratings. "More and more Republicans will begin to separate themselves from the president and establish independent positions," he predicts.

Last week, Republican candidates lost both of this year's gubernatorial races, in New Jersey and Virginia. New Jersey contender Doug Forrester said in an interview published in the Newark Star-Ledger on Sunday that Bush's lack of popularity was too much for him to overcome.

In the poll:

•Two-thirds of independents and 91% of Democrats disapprove of the job Bush is doing. Even among Republicans, 19% express disapproval — a new high.

•For the first time — albeit by a narrow 49%-48% — a plurality disapprove of the way Bush is handling the issue of terrorism. Six in 10 disapprove of the way he's handling the economy, Iraq and immigration, and 71% disapprove of him on controlling federal spending.

•By 12 points, those surveyed say the country would be better off if Democrats controlled Congress.

Tracey Schmitt of the Republican National Committee dismissed the poll results as "bumpy political atmospherics" and said Bush "will remain focused on the nation's priorities."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-11-14-poll_x.htm