Bush, Congress Get Record Low Ratings in AP-Ipsos Poll

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The New York Sun

WASHINGTON — A soured public has given President Bush and Congress record low approval ratings in the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll, underscoring the toll taken by fretful economic woes and long-lasting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The survey, released yesterday, also set a new AP-Ipsos floor for the number of people saying the country is heading in the right direction. Just 16% said the country is moving the right way, a virtual tie with the 17% who said so last month.

In addition, 28% said they approve of the job Mr. Bush is doing, tying his low in the AP-Ipsos survey set last April.

Congress fared even worse: A new AP-Ipsos low of 18% said they were happy with Congress’s work, down a steep five percentage points from last month.

Underscoring the breadth of the gloom, dissatisfaction with the country’s direction stretched across party and ideological lines. Only three in 10 Republicans and fewer than one in 10 Democrats and independents said the country is heading the right way. Only one in five conservatives and even fewer moderates and liberals said they are happy with things.

Just 63% of Republicans and 46% of conservatives approved of Mr. Bush’s handling of his job, strikingly low numbers. About one in five Republicans and conservatives voiced strong approval for the president, while one in 10 Republicans and three in 10 conservatives said they strongly disapproved.

Four percent of Democrats and 12% of independents gave Mr. Bush positive grades — the lowest he’s ever gotten from those groups in the AP-Ipsos survey. The numbers were similarly low for liberals and moderates.

With soaring fuel prices, ailing financial and housing markets and rising inflation, Bush got his lowest grade for handling the economy. Just 24% approved of how he’s dealing with it, tying last month’s AP-Ipsos low on that issue.

About three in 10 voiced approval for how he’s handling Iraq, domestic issues, and foreign affairs. All are near or tied with previous lows in the survey.


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