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Decline in US Public Approval of... Politicians Generally

October 31 2003

Approval ratings for practically all the politicians and groups asked about in the Harris Poll have declined in the last 6 months - some more than others. President Bush, Colin Powell and the Republicans in Congress have all lost ground, but Donald Rumsfeld and John Ashcroft have fallen further while the Democrats have failed to show corresponding improvements.

Some of the main findings for individuals are as follows:

  • Many more people still give President Bush positive ratings (59%) than negative (40%) ratings. Although these are a long way down from their 70% positive, 29% negative ratings during the Iraq war, they are no worse than they were in August (57% positive, 41% negative).
  • Secretary of State Colin Powell's ratings (70% positive, 23% negative) are still far better than those of anyone else in government, although down from his 81% positive, 16% negative ratings in April.
  • Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's tumbling positive rating has dropped below 50% for the first time (47% positive, 44% negative vs 71% positive, 22% negative ratings in April).
  • Attorney General John Ashcroft's ratings have slipped to 42% positive, 42% negative (57% positive, 30% negative in April).
  • Vice President Dick Cheney's ratings are now 42% positive, 44% negative compared to 55% positive, 36% negative in April.


Turning to views of the parties, the Republicans in Congress are now rated 40% positive, 50% negative, roughly the reverse of April (52% positive, 41% negative) - however, the Democrats in Congress have not shown a corresponding improvement. Their ratings (34% positive, 56% negative) are substantially worse than the Republicans and are also well below their own ratings in June (41% positive, 51% negative).

The economy continues to head the list of issues people want the government to address - it will be interesting to see the effect of the rapid 3rd quarter growth figures on attitudes - but 'the war', terrorism, national security and Iraq are still very important to many people. Perhaps the most important change in the importance of issues since August is that 12% now mention employment or jobs - the first time this has been in double figures since 1995, and up from only 7% in June.

Harris Interactive(r) interviewed 1,017 adults by telephone between October 14 and 19.


All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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