Job ratings for President Bush and the major members of his cabinet have fallen to their lowest levels yet, according to the Harris Poll. However, neither the democrats nor Senator John Kerry in particular appear to be benefiting at present, with voting intentions suggesting a very close result.
Three key figures have seen their positive ratings overtaken by their negative since thelast poll in February. President Bush is down to 48% positive, 51% negative, the worst ratings of his presidency; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's ratings have fallen to 45% positive, 47% negative from 50% positive, 43% negative in February and Attorney General John Ashcroft's ratings have fallen to 40% positive, 45% negative compared to 44% positive, 42% negative in February.
Vice President Dick Cheney's ratings remain the lowest of the main figures, falling to 36% positive, 52% negative, compared to 41% positive, 48% negative in February. Secretary of State Colin Powell's remain the highest at 63% positive, 31% negative, but these are also his worst ratings since he took office.
Of all the presidents going back to Lyndon Johnson, only President George H. W. Bush and President James Carter had worse ratings in April before their re-election bid. All three of the presidents who won re-election - President Nixon, President Reagan, President Clinton - enjoyed somewhat or much better ratings in April of their re-election years.
President
Bush And His
Predecessors
Job Rating In April Before Re-Election Campaign |
||||
President | Date | Positive | Negative | Not Sure |
George W. Bush | April 2004 | 48 | 51 | 1 |
Clinton** | April 1996 | 52 | 47 | * |
George H. W. Bush | April 1992 | 37 | 62 | 1 |
Reagan** | April 1984 | 61 | 39 | * |
Carter | April 1980 | 36 | 63 | 1 |
Ford | April 1976 | 37 | 60 | 3 |
Nixon** | April 1972 | 50 | 46 | 4 |
Johnson | April 1968 | 57 | 43 | - |
* = Less than 0.5 percent. | ||||
** Re-elected. |
The issues which are seen to be most important by the largest numbers of people are either the economy or are related to national security and the war on terrorism. The economy still tops the list at 28%, but 'the war' has returned to top of mind for many Americans (20%), while military and defense issues (7%) and homeland security (6%) are also mentioned by substantial numbers of people. Other issues high on the list are jobs / employment (15%), health care (9%) and education (6%).
"If the next presidential election were held today between George W. Bush for the Republicans, John Kerry for the Democrats and Ralph Nader as an Independent, for whom would you most likely vote?"
Table 1 - Bush vs. Kerry | |||
Total | Registered to Vote | Likely Voter | |
0% | 0% | 0% | |
George Bush | 43 | 45 | 46 |
John Kerry | 43 | 43 | 43 |
Ralph Nader | 9 | 8 | 8 |
None of these | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not sure/Refused | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Bush Lead | - | 2 | 3 |
NOTE: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding. | |||
Base: All Adults |
Table 2 - Positive Ratings Trends Since 9/11/01: Summary | ||||||||
Base: All Adults | ||||||||
POSITIVE RATINGS | Soon After 9/11 | Feb 2003 |
April
2003 |
Aug 2003 |
Oct 2003 |
Dec 2003 |
Feb 2004 |
April
2004 |
President George Bush | 88% | 52% | 70% | 57% | 59% | 50% | 51% | 48% |
Secretary of State Colin Powell | 88% | 76% | 81% | 72% | 70% | 74% | 65% | 63% |
Secretary
of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld |
78% | 56% | 71% | 55% | 47% | 57% | 50% | 45% |
Attorney General John Ashcroft | 65% | 51% | 57% | 48% | 42% | 51% | 44% | 40% |
Vice President Dick Cheney | 69% | 45% | 55% | 42% | 42% | 42% | 41% | 36% |
Republicans in Congress | 67% | 43% | 52% | 41% | 40% | 37% | 40% | 35% |
Democrats in Congress | 68% | 38% | 39% | 30% | 34% | 28% | 33% | 32% |
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist | NA | 37% | 39% | 32% | 29% | 28% | 31% | 26% |
House Speaker Dennis Hastert | 52% | 33% | 41% | 29% | 29% | 24% | 26% | 25% |
Note: (NA) = Not Applicable |
All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.
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