Bush, Congress Both Get Low Approval Ratings

WASHINGTON — This time, the Democratic-controlled Congress and President Bush are in the same boat. No one seems to think too highly of the job they're doing. A new Associated Press-Ipsos poll finds Mr. Bush's approval ratings at 35%, and Congress's even lower, 25%.

The president's favorability ratings have remained relatively unchanged for months, but support for Congress has dropped markedly between May and July.

Only 27% of those polled said the country is headed in the right direction. Thirty-nine percent said they support the Iraq war.

The survey of just over 1,000 people was taken as Congress was beginning its August recess, providing a respite from months of unsuccessfully trying to force Mr. Bush to change course in Iraq.