The Gallup poll has historically tilted in favor of President Bush, giving him slightly higher numbers than most other surveys, with the shining exception of the Fox poll – natch!
But in the latest Gallup results out today, the president has dropped to a record 40 percent approval rating. His previous low in the Gallup was 44 percent last month – and his approval has dropped 12 percentage points since March.
Regular readers of the PR know that we feel strongly that any number above about 30 percent is too high. (The 30 percent represents the recalcitrant Right who are deluded beyond logic and reason. This same group gave Nixon a 25 percent approval at the time of his disgrace.)
The new poll shows a slight erosion even among the president’s base. It’s down from the 90’s to 82 percent. The biggest drop, however, is among independents, among whom only 32 percent still support Mr. Bush.
On the general question of how things are going in the country, only 34 percent of Americans are satisfied, with 62 percent dissatisfied.