Americans are Worried about the President and his $87 Billion Request for Iraq - September 22, 2003 Vol. 4 No. 19

September 22, 2003 Vol. 4 No. 19:

Published: 09/22/2003

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Americans are Worried about the President and his $87 Billion Request for Iraq

Recent polls indicate that Americans are growing increasing worried about the Administration's handling of a number of issues.

Recent polls indicate growing dissatisfaction with President Bush's policies, particularly his economic policies and his long-term plans in Iraq.

The most recent Gallup poll, which has showed steady and consistent approval ratings for President Bush in the range of 58 to 60 (with a high of 71 percent in mid-April after he announced victory in Iraq), suddenly plunged to an approval rating of only 52 percent. That poll also showed only 45 percent approved of Bush's handling of the economy, and decreasing approval of his managing of foreign affairs and the war in Iraq (although nearly two-thirds support Bush's handling of terrorism). More tellingly, Americans seem to be increasingly dissatisfied with the way things are going - with 58% reporting general dissatisfaction with the direction the country is headed.

The Gallup poll found that 59 percent felt that Bush does not have a clear plan for handling the situation in Iraq. This may be why a slim majority, 51 percent, oppose spending an addition $87 billion on Iraq and terrorism activities. See America's Future Public Opinion Watch for an analysis of the Gallup poll and the results of another poll, from Knowledge Networks, on how Americans view the war on terror.

The same results as those in the Gallup poll are found on other surveys. A nation wide survey of 1,001 likely voters conducted by the Democracy Corps found a loss of public trust towards President Bush, especially in terms of the war on Iraq and the economy. Those surveyed gave the Democrats a 20-point advantage over Republicans on handling the budget and deficits.

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals that six in 10 Americans do not support the President's proposal for $87 billion to fund military and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The poll also finds that Bush?s ratings are falling on domestic issues - to the lowest point of his presidency (see table below). Even on subjects such as education, where the president enjoys substantial support, the degree of support has dropped since April 2003. On no survey issue has support for the way the president is handling the issue gone up since April, and in only one area, the environment, has it held even since April.

Do You Approve of the Way Bush is Handling...

April 2003 Compared to September 2003

	April 2003 Approval/Disapproval	September 2003 Approval/Disapproval	Net Change
Cost, Availability & Coverage of Health Insurance	-23	-29	-6
Prescription drug benefits for the elderly	+04	-19	-23
The Federal Budget	-7	-19	-12
The Economy	+7	-14	-21
Social Security	+11	-3	-14
Taxes	+4	+0	-4
Situation in Iraq	+53	+6	-47
The Environment	+9	+9	+0
International Affairs	+46	+10	-36
Education	+25	+17	-8
Homeland Security	+51	+31	-20
Campaign Against Terrorism	+60	+43	-17

Source: Washington Post - ABC News Poll