Zogby Says Bush Approval Rating Is Actually Falling, Not Increasing

by Steve

While Gallup, AP/Ipsos, and CBS News/NYT had all reported recently that Bush’s approval ratings were moving up into the low 40’s the more he talked about Iraq and the economy, along comes John Zogby to throw cold water on any talk of a Bush recovery in the polls. According to his latest poll out today, Bush’s approval rating has actually fallen from 41% last month down to 38% this month.

Zogby will be releasing more detailed information on the national attitude tomorrow in Washington, but some of the details in his release today are noteworthy:

Mr. Bush won re-election last year with solid support among those who live in “red” states, but 55% who live there now said he was doing only a fair or poor job. Just 31% of those living in a politically “blue” state approved of his performance in this latest survey.

Mr. Bush still has problems with much of his political base. While 85% who consider themselves “very conservative” say he is doing a good job, just 73% of “conservatives” gave him good marks – this as he has taken recent steps to burnish his conservative credentials. While he won re-election last year with the support of 91% of Republicans, just 77% of GOPers now approve of his performance. Just 11% of Democrats approve, and only one in four independents (24%) approve.

He carries a 42% approval rating among married respondents, and among Catholics – another key demographic group supporting Mr. Bush last year – just 34% now approve of his leadership. Among the investor class, 43% give him a positive job rating.

"Perhaps most ominous for the President is that only 52% of self-described born-again Protestants give him a positive job performance rating,” said John Zogby, President and CEO of Zogby International. “Despite his aggressive campaign on the war in Iraq, the President is still a victim of events on the ground there. If the election in Iraq goes smoothly and stability looks to be possible, then the President’s support among his base may increase. But improvements in events on the ground is a big “if,” and to date, his efforts are falling short."

As Iraq prepares for its election this week to fill a national legislative body, 38% of those Americans with a family member in the military approve of the President’s leadership. Among veterans, 38% approve of his work.

The survey showed men and women agree about his job performance, as 39% of each demographic approve of his work.

Only 38% of military families and veterans approve of Bush? Only a little more than half of born-again Protestants approve of him? And his approval rating amongst Republicans is down to 77% and among independents it is down to only 24%? And only a third of Catholics now approve of him?

(Thanks to commenter The Truth for the tip)