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CNN Live Sunday

President Struggles in Recent Approval Polls

Aired July 01, 2001 - 17:02   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Even with a tax cut victory and progress on his education agenda, President Bush's approval ratings have been dropping in recent polls. Now, Senate Democrats believe momentum is on their side for claiming victory for the passage of a patients bill of rights. The president's aides say this is not a time for panic, but still they admit they are working to redefine Mr. Bush, in their words.

More from CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the Bush administration nears its sixth month, the honeymoon appears to be over. The Democratically-controlled Senate claims victory after passage of a patients bill of rights, dozens of House Republicans abandoned Mr. Bush on energy and environmental votes, and nationwide, the president's support begins to slip. The three most recent polls show approval ratings dropping to 50, 51, and 53 percent.

Republicans, however, say the numbers are not a cause for concern.

GOV. JIM GILMORE (R-VA), RNC CHAIRMAN: All of these polls are showing him in the 50's and that's very consistent with what previous presidents have had at this particular point and time.

WALLACE: Still, Bush advisers concede there is frustration in the West wing that the president is not getting ample credit for his achievements. Advisers say getting a tax cut passed took time and energy away from promoting other issues, such as education and the president's faith based agenda.

Analysts say Mr. Bush has not yet been able to extend his approval beyond his conservative base.

NORM ORNSTEIN, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE: Is he going to be willing to alienate some small slice of that political base that's been so important to him, to move to the middle or will he continue to focus on that base?

WALLACE: The Bush White House has been reaching out to a favorite of moderates and independents, Republican Senator John McCain with Karen Hughes, the president's top adviser, lunching with McCain recently.

Aides say Mr. Bush will also use the bully pulpit more to tout his ideas for a patients bill of rights.

KEN DUBERSTEIN, FRM. REAGAN CHIEF OF STAFF: He has the biggest megaphone of anybody in the world, and I think we may well see George W. Bush use it even more.

WALLACE (on camera): One aide described these steps as a way to, quote, "redefine the president." But it will be a delicate balancing act because any movements toward the center could alienate conservatives who are vital to Mr. Bush's agenda.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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