Bushed

Bush's Public Approval at New Low Point

Americans have a bleaker view of the country's direction than at any time in more than two decades, and sharp disapproval of President 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, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.

Mr. Bush's approval rating for his management of foreign policy, Iraq and the economy have fallen to the lowest levels of his presidency. He drew poor marks on the specific issues that have been at the top of the national agenda in recent months — in particular, immigration and gas prices — underscoring the difficult the administration faces in reversing its political fortunes.

Just 13 percent approved of Mr. Bush's handling of rising gas prices. Only one-quarter said they approved of his handling of immigration, as Congressional Republicans struggle to come up with a compromise to deal with the influx of illegal immigrants into the country.

The poll showed a continued decline in support for the war, the issue that has most eaten into Mr. Bush's public support. 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 Mr. Bush will be able to successfully end the war there.

Mr. Bush's political strength continues to dissipate. About two-thirds of voters said that Mr. Bush does not share their priorities, up from just over half right before his reelection in 2004. About two thirds said and that the country is in worse shape than it was when he came to power six years ago. Forty-two percent of respondents say they consider Mr. Bush a strong leader, a drop of 11 points since January.

Mr. Bush's overall job approval rating hit another new low, 31 percent, tying the low point of his father, George H. W. Bush, in July 1992, four months before the elder Mr. Bush lost his bid for a second term to Bill Clinton. That is the third lowest approval rating of any president in 50 years; only Richard M. Nixon and Jimmy Carter were viewed less favorably.

Wow, a historic low--and my guess is he may wind up lowest-ever by the end of it. He was clearly mistakenly elected, and only a catostrophe of unprecedented scope kept him in office, despite his culpability. Absent another terrorist attack, which scarily enough would be in his interest, he's done.

I think years later historians will see this as outlier years in American history, when we were still trying to find ourselves post-Cold War and were casting about for almost anything.

Oddly enough, though, none of this may matter from the broader Republican perspective. If Hillary Rodham Clinton gets the Democratic nod, the election will be about her, not Bush.

And the Republican candidate could beat her, if for no other reason than sexism.

AP photo of President Bush speaking to a group of senior citizens about Medicare prescription drug coverage Tuesday, May 9, 2006 in Sun City Center, Fla. by Chris O'Meara.