Gallup: President Bush's Approval Rating Hits New Low, at 40%
By E&P Staff

Published: August 26, 2005 3:15 PM ET
NEW YORK

A new Gallup poll released today finds President George W. Bush's approval rating decline sharply to a new low, 40%, with 56% expressing disapproval. His previous low point was 44%, one month ago.

This confirms findings by other polls earlier this week, one of which pegged the approval rating even lower. The poll of 1,007 adults was conducted Aug. 22-25, so it includes the period of the president's series of speeches this week defending his Iraq war policies. Apparently the “Sheehan Effect” may be holding firm.

The current Gallup poll finds a strong drop in support from independents, to 32%, and even some erosion in his Republican base (though still strong at 82%).

Bush's current approval rating stands far below those for every other second term president at this point, save for Richard Nixon (34%). At this stage, for example, in August 1997, Bill Clinton's approval rating stood at 61%.

Bush's approval rating has plunged 12% since March.At the same time, Gallup finds only 34% of American satisfied with the way things are going in the country, with 62% dissatisfied.
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