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CNN Sunday Morning
Attacks in Iraq Drive Bush's Approval Ratings Down
Aired November 09, 2003 - 07:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The almost daily attacks in Iraq and the high price tag for rebuilding are taking a toll on some of the president's poll numbers. A "Newsweek" survey of registered voters finds 51 percent of those questioned disapprove of the way President Bush is handling Iraq, while 42 percent say they approve.
But the president's overall approval rating stands at 52 percent. And that is mixed news for the president. CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash joining us now with reaction to those numbers.
Good morning, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. And when you look at that disapproval number on Iraq, 51 percent, that is the highest in this particular poll so far. The trends have really shown the president slipping month by month throughout the summer, really into the fall on the president's handling of the situation in Iraq. It is important to note it is a year away from the election and anything can happen in that country and what is going on with the reconstruction, but they are certainly well aware of the falling numbers here at the White House on Iraq for the president.
Now another interesting number from that "Newsweek" poll was the president's re-elect numbers, as they're called. 50 percent of Americans say that they do not want President Bush to have a second term. Now Mr. Bush's senior political advisers will tell you and even said in a memo to supporters earlier this week that this is something that they expect. They expect the next election to be down to the wire, as they put it. They point out that the American electorate is divided, just as it was in the year 2000. It continues to be divided.
And in a classic case of trying to lower expectations, they even go as far as predicting that the Democratic candidate, once he emerges in early next year, will probably move ahead of the president in the polls.
Now there was some good news from the White House in this latest "Newsweek" poll, Heidi. And that was on the economy. The president got a bump when -- on Friday, when he heard -- the country heard that 250,000 jobs or more were created over the past three months. That is the missing ingredient for this White House on the economic numbers. And there is evidence that the president's stewardship or at least the views of his stewardship on the economy are also rising.
In this poll, it shows that 44 percent of Americans approve, while 48 percent disapprove. Now you still see more people are unhappy than happy, but it is important to note that that approval is six points higher in this "Newsweek" poll than the last month. The economy is something that the president's political advisers are very focused on. And the point out that both President Reagan and Clinton, two presidents who of course went on to win comfortably in their re- election, had lower approval ratings on the economy at this point of their presidencies. But they also note that over the past 30 years, incumbent presidents have been elected or not re-elected because of the economy. That is why that is their focus and continues to be their focus going forward through -- into the election year. Back to you, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Dana Bash this morning live from the White House. A lot of numbers to sift through, that is for sure. Thanks so much.
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Aired November 9, 2003 - 07:37 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The almost daily attacks in Iraq and the high price tag for rebuilding are taking a toll on some of the president's poll numbers. A "Newsweek" survey of registered voters finds 51 percent of those questioned disapprove of the way President Bush is handling Iraq, while 42 percent say they approve.
But the president's overall approval rating stands at 52 percent. And that is mixed news for the president. CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash joining us now with reaction to those numbers.
Good morning, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi. And when you look at that disapproval number on Iraq, 51 percent, that is the highest in this particular poll so far. The trends have really shown the president slipping month by month throughout the summer, really into the fall on the president's handling of the situation in Iraq. It is important to note it is a year away from the election and anything can happen in that country and what is going on with the reconstruction, but they are certainly well aware of the falling numbers here at the White House on Iraq for the president.
Now another interesting number from that "Newsweek" poll was the president's re-elect numbers, as they're called. 50 percent of Americans say that they do not want President Bush to have a second term. Now Mr. Bush's senior political advisers will tell you and even said in a memo to supporters earlier this week that this is something that they expect. They expect the next election to be down to the wire, as they put it. They point out that the American electorate is divided, just as it was in the year 2000. It continues to be divided.
And in a classic case of trying to lower expectations, they even go as far as predicting that the Democratic candidate, once he emerges in early next year, will probably move ahead of the president in the polls.
Now there was some good news from the White House in this latest "Newsweek" poll, Heidi. And that was on the economy. The president got a bump when -- on Friday, when he heard -- the country heard that 250,000 jobs or more were created over the past three months. That is the missing ingredient for this White House on the economic numbers. And there is evidence that the president's stewardship or at least the views of his stewardship on the economy are also rising.
In this poll, it shows that 44 percent of Americans approve, while 48 percent disapprove. Now you still see more people are unhappy than happy, but it is important to note that that approval is six points higher in this "Newsweek" poll than the last month. The economy is something that the president's political advisers are very focused on. And the point out that both President Reagan and Clinton, two presidents who of course went on to win comfortably in their re- election, had lower approval ratings on the economy at this point of their presidencies. But they also note that over the past 30 years, incumbent presidents have been elected or not re-elected because of the economy. That is why that is their focus and continues to be their focus going forward through -- into the election year. Back to you, Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Dana Bash this morning live from the White House. A lot of numbers to sift through, that is for sure. Thanks so much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
