Good thing George Bush and his 31%-coalition don't care about polls. An analysis from the DSCC:
CBS/New York Times poll out tonight reveals that Americans have a bleaker view of the country's direction than at any time in more than two decades, and sharp disapproval of Bush's handling of gasoline prices has combined with intensified unhappiness about Iraq to create a grim political environment for the White House and Congressional Republicans six months from the November midterms. Here are the highlights of the poll:
BUSH. Bush's job approval ratings have hit another all-time low of only 31%, tying the low point of his father’s presidency. About two-thirds of voters say Bush doesn’t share their priorities, up from just over half right before his reelection in 2004. 68% believe the U.S. is worse off today than it was before Bush became president. Bush's approval rating for his management of foreign policy, Iraq and the economy have fallen to the lowest levels of his presidency. Just 13 percent approve of Bush's handling of rising gas prices. Only one-quarter approve of his handling of immigration.
DEMOCRATS. Democrats are viewed favorably by 55% of Americans. The public thinks Democrats would do a better job dealing with Iraq, gas prices, immigration, taxes, prescription drug and civil liberties. 50% said Democrats come closer than Republicans in sharing their moral values. By a margin of better than two to one, Democrats were seen as having more new ideas than Republicans. And half, the highest yet, said it was better when different parties control the two branches of government, reflecting one of the major arguments being laid out by Congressional Democrats in their bid to win back the House or Senate.
CORRUPTION. A majority said Republican members of Congress were more likely to be financially corrupt than a Democratic member of Congress, suggesting that Democrats might be making headway in their efforts to portray Republicans as having created a "culture of corruption" in Washington.
IRAQ. 29% approve of Bush's handling of Iraq. The percentage of respondents who said going to war in Iraq was the correct decision slipped to a new low of 39 percent, down from 47 percent in January. Two-thirds said they have little or no confidence that Bush will be able to successfully end the war there.
