Bush approval sinks lower

Posted: Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:52 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro

Last week, our NBC/WSJ poll showed President Bush at his lowest approval rating since taking office -- 29 percent. It just got lower.

A Newsweek poll out today shows that just 26 percent of all Americans – only about one in four -- approves of the job Bush is doing; 65 percent disapprove, including a third of all Republicans. The margin of error of the poll is plus or minus 4 percent

The only president to have ever gotten a lower approval rating was Richard Nixon, who fell to 23 percent in January 1974 -- seven months before he resigned over Watergate. In 1979, Jimmy Carter’s approval rating hit 28 percent.

And it’s not just Iraq that’s weighing Bush down. Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of his handling of several domestic issues and half even disapprove of his handling of terrorism.

Comments

He's got time... Nixon's record is going down. But then much like Bonds coming homerun record, there's going to be talk about how much artificial substance use helped achieve the new record.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:01 PM)

"How low can you go"-"Limbo Rock"-Chubby Checkers

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:05 PM)

Could this mean if he drops 3 more points he may resign?

Gene,Mead,Wash (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:16 PM)

And it ain't gonna get any better! Our beloved President and Congress are "partying like hell" and don't even realize they're on a run away train going nowhere. This is even more proof that we the American people need to eliminate the words Democrat and Republican from the english language and our lives. These people are slowly destroying everything America stands for and they seem to enjoy or savor every moment. The only legislation they can seem to pass is spending and more spending, to hell with immigration, Iraq, healthcare, or anything else that might really mean something, the Democratic and Republican parties should be our first priority,

Paw Paw, NC (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:18 PM)

Hey Jerry in CC, your shrub is now lower than Carter ever got. Honestly, do you ever wonder what this presidency could have been had there been more middle of the road stances on issues? Can anyone in the GOP stand by this president any longer? I am glad to see in numbers what I have felt for some time, even before last November, that W and the current GOP leadership have other major problems besides Iraq. Rove, Rush, Fox news et al have overreached, and are now in decline. 2008 is wide open for both parties, especially if demonizing is not part of the electoral strategy. I will be curious to see how big a drop the GOP will see next year. I suspect there are still enough people who will vote for new GOP candidates. Incumbant GOP'rs are in for a huge loss in numbers. I am a DEM, but if I was at the RNC I would be seeking as many new faces as possible.

Steve, San Diego (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:24 PM)

You mean 25% of the populace still support him? 1 out of every 4 is still convinced that he is doing a good job? The nation is in deep trouble if this is true.

Ravine Force, Kissimmee, FL (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:28 PM)

Put me down for 19% by 11/01/08. Any takers?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:32 PM)

Who cares. What's important is NBC is paying a million dollars to Paris Hilton for her first I'm out of jail interview. Congress is down to 14% according to gallup. What's the approval rating for network news these days? Congress still saving you from the bottom? 9 out of 10 journalist support Liberal politicians, or groups, Big corporation own the news, and run the country. What the hell good is it for Big Business, & evil conservatives to have most of the country thinking we're on a one way path to hell? Time to purge the news rooms, and get some damn balance. You can't ask the questions if you all think alike.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:32 PM)

"YOU LOST THAT LOVING FEELING"

"OH LONESOME ME"

"CRY"

"YOU AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HOUND DOG"

One for the money; two for the show; you ain't nothing but a big ZERO!

H P Boston (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:32 PM)

Congress'approval is the lowest ever recorded by GALLUP.So is that of the Press.[who,as we suspected for some time,are Democrat shills,or 90% of them at any rate].Bush has plenty of company.Mebbe we should deport Congress along with the Fourth Estate and start with a new slate as we will when Bush is gone.

Lee Holmes (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:36 PM)

Hey Gary, I say 18% by Christmas time.Ho ho ho!

Susan, Miami (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:40 PM)

Of Course its lower, all he does is veto!

Aidyn, NY, NY (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:45 PM)

Dave,
Balance - what an unusual concept from a winger! Sure would have like to have had some balance to go along with all that my way or the highway thinking of the past 6 years. By the way, I do care - I think it is a hoot! And I am not even gonna say "I told you so" cause I knew he was an idiot when he ran for gov of Texas and it was pretty obvious he was not getting any smarter, but then neither were some Tennesseans or the transplants you repugs moved into my state to take it over (yep, I'm a native Tennessean, a full 5 generations worth).

Melba, Tennessee (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:48 PM)

Yeah, but it's a solid 26 per cent. Dubya is still getting under the Limbo Stick of We the People.

Yeah...but it's a SOLID 26 per cent. With a year and a half left, Dubya might be down to a couple of per centage points by the end. Kind of like watching a Limbo Stick keep getting lower and lower. He keeps getting his butt under it, but eventually, his head won't fit.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 3:48 PM)

Ravine Force: You're right, this country is in deep trouble, Who are the clowns that still beleive in Bush?? Dave, Tn: As for purging the news rooms to get rid of the liberals and get "some balance". I think the Bush admin is still working on the Justice Dept. to "get some balance". Alberto, Monica and Karl are almost done getting of those pesky liberals!! Why not turn to Faux Newz or Rush while you're waiting for some "media political correctness" ?? Lee: Should we replace Congress and the media with illegal aliens ?? Maybe a straight up trade ?? Let's start with Faux Newz. Then, the staff ath the National Review. I'll gladly trade them for some Mexican tomatoe pickers !! At least, they're useful !! They do real work !! I like tomatoes !!

Sierra, San Francisco (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:02 PM)

Steve Turner you have me "Dancin' In The Streets"-Martha and the Vandellas

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:05 PM)

Appears to have struck a nerve with Dave and Lee; I guess it's fair to say they're part of the 26%. In all fairness, you have to commend them for their loyalty to bush and them, assuming that's what it is as opposed to just hatred of democrats.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:08 PM)

Is it just me or does it seem like Dave, TN is having a bit of a hissy fit? Sorry, Dave, but the results are in and it's not good for your guy. As far as Congress goes, it'd be interesting to see what specifically people disapprove of with them. My guess is that at least some of it can be put back on Bush and the GOP for blocking legislation.

Sick of Ignorant Lawyer Bashing (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:09 PM)

It's not loyalty to Bush. It's a rejection of your ideaRs. How many times do I have to say it?

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:19 PM)

Kool-aid stock is down today...sold my shares a long time ago.

Al, KS (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:33 PM)

We may need a constitutional amendment requiring that when any President hits 25% approval or lower the public takes back this republic. Remember, Ben Franklin stated it correctly - "A republic, if you can keep it." We all use that term "democracy" too loosely. The United States is not a "democracy", it is a "republic". Can we keep this "republic" with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in office until January 20, 2009? One in four is not a mandate, it is a clear repudiation. Time to move on . . .

Gary, Franklin, WI (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:36 PM)

A while back, the GOP bunch was jumping on Jimmy Carter and pointing out his 28 per cent approval proved he was the worst of the most recent Presidents. I won't use any of my criteria here, but I'll go with theirs. Dubya has now beat Jimmy as the worst of the most recent Presidents. (OK. My criteria says Dubya's the worst since Andrew Johnson.)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:36 PM)

Scott, it is all about the hatred. They would vote for Hitler if he was the republican candidate. That is how much they hate their fellow americans. Normally I would reserve that kind of hate for people that are actually trying to destroy America like terrorist's. But these repub are driven by hate. Just read their post's. They are always tring to blame soneone else for their own party problems. The war in Iraq going bad: blame the press and liberals. It is not because we did not know how to nation build. It was more about party loyalty then getting the best people for the jobs. I love the story where W sent a 25 year old kid to set up the stock market. Thousands of other people more qualified and smarter are not used because they were not BUSHIE enough. I love the stories where doctors had to sign a form that they were pro-life or they were not sent to Iraq. These kinds of stories where W used party loyalty above competence is a staple for this dministration. "Great job Brownie" comes to mind. See Dave and Lee can not admit to themselves that W could possilble screw up and be as bad as he is. Beleive me , even I am amazed at the incompetence of this president. It must take a lot of kool aid to ignore all the facts and to blindly follow our beloved leader.

bobf (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:39 PM)

I wanna' know who the idiots are in the 26% who approve of Bush.
Frankly, I'm surprised his approval is that high.
........and ah Dave....Congress' approval rating is not 14%. You lied.

J. Merl Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:45 PM)

The 26% that still support Bush are, unfortunately, still a very influential group in this country. They are in the Cabinet, they own large businesses (and probably hire illegal immigrants off the books), and preach their politics to mega-churches on Sunday. They will NEVER acknowledge how badly the Bush administration has screwed the citizens of this country. BECAUSE, things are working according to their neo-con PNAC plan, the rich got richer, the oil men got more power and the White House has whittled away at our individual rights in ways that most people won't realize for years.

Jael, Downstate Illinois (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:46 PM)

Yes..Yes...I think he can do it, I have "full" faith that he will break the all time record for the "lowest" approval rating ! Everything to date would lead me to this safe conclusion. He isn't much smarter than the monkeys at the zoo and at that it's a close contest. He continues to think he's smarter than the rest of us, arrogent idiot. Without a question the "worst" President in our history, bar none! He would do us all a favor if he and Dickie boy would just resign.I'am sure we can find them a job at McDonalds.

JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:50 PM)

"And the wall came down All the way from hell Never saw it when it hit me Never saw it when it fell."-"Tweeter and the Monkeyman"-Travelin' Wilburys

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:02 PM)

I can believe the 26% for bush (should be a lot lower) but I feel that the 14% for congress has more to do with the republicans blocking almost everything the dems have tried to do. Of course the dems giving in to bush on the funding didn't help any.

Don in LA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:02 PM)

That's what you've been saying? Anybody ever hear him say that?

Scott in South Texas (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:05 PM)

The picture says it all. That blank frightened confused stare. He's just such a cowardly little traitor.

Kevin, America (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:06 PM)

Whoopsie, poopsie, doopsie, huh Bushy Wooshy? Looks like a few more of your moron base got jarred out of their comas. Now, the only people left in the Bush voter base is troglodites with IQs below 70. Pretty soon we'll be getting down to the Swift Boat vets. Well, maybe nov '08 is a bit too soon to get down that far. Oh gosh, oh gee, I forgot to spell out their complete designation. That's Swift Boat Vets for TRUTH. They used up so much truth campaigning for Bush, there was none left for him to use when running the county. That could be the reason we ended up in Iraq. Then maybe it was God's fault. Like he was supposed to be over in Bush's corner. How about it, God? Who the hell knew truth could be used up like that?

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:08 PM)

Dave and Lee, guess that cognitive dissonance must be getting pretty intolerable by now, eh? It's pretty hard to keep thinking "everyone supports Bush like I do" when every piece of reliable evidence says otherwise. Even my life-long Republican Dad has dumped him. Guess it must be the evidence that's wrong.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:09 PM)

George, you have a phone call from your "father" and he dosen't sound very happy.

JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:14 PM)

JOHNNY JUSTICE! You should be ashamed of yourself! Now be a nice boy and apologize to all the monkeys in the Zoo...

Robb, STL (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:16 PM)

where's jerry...he must represent 20% of that 26%...
Dave-TN, I, too, have been disappointed with Congress. However, I was more disappointed with what Congress passed prior to the slim dem majority. both parties need to share in that poll result; just because the dems have a majority, it is not a veto-proof one, so my biggest disappointment is the dems'"failure" or repubs' "refusal" to try and find common ground for the good of this nation. Meanwhile, bush earned his 26 all on his own.

Mark Y; Westlake Village, CA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:30 PM)

The majority feel - I agree with them - that Bush is an abomination. Electing a Hillary Obama or a Rudy McRomney won't change thing. They're all disingenous corporatists advancing an empire of oppressive welfare and endless warfare.
I left the jingoist Republican party in disgust last year. I will be switching back, however, to vote for Ron Paul. A vote for Paul is a vote for restoring the Republic and adhering to the Constitution.

Mike, Hermosa Beach (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:31 PM)

http://blogs.usatoday.com/gallup/2007/06/what_do_hmos_an.html

New Gallup data show confidence in Congress at all time low
Just 14% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress.

This 14% Congressional confidence rating is the all-time low for this measure, which Gallup initiated in 1973. The previous low point for Congress was 18% at several points in the period of time 1991 to 1994.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:34 PM)

I believe that Bush supporters do so not in spite of what he has done but BECAUSE of what he has done. They really and truly approve. They are not a homogenous group but rather the fringe elements of diverse groups such as religious, haters, business leaders, authoritarians, wealthy, "patriots", militarists, and most importantly people who are fearful all the time. They have an itch and Bush scratches it.

Russell in Maryland (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:50 PM)

The reason Congress' numbers are so low is that they are too gutless to impeach the charlatan hated around the world, despised even in Texas. The emerging moral disaster is the wimpy Reid-Pelosi strategy of yelling "Fire!" and refusing to evacuate the burning building. Where are all the Democratic "leaders?" Apparently, cowering in the basement, waiting for it all to blow over. Before this all blows over, its going to blow... and the "leaders" in Congress will have fresh blood on their hands and handbags.

Mark Thieme (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 5:55 PM)

One out of every four Americans is a moron.

Aimee, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:00 PM)

Oh George, do you finally understand why you should have listened to your Mother and not those fellow nitwit neo-cons you embraced?
Can it get lower? Only when those stubborn Republicans who know better stop pretending, bury their pride, and admit they screwed up in supporting this Bush
Let me also mention that I beleive the Democratic Party should have its feet held to the fire for putting up two candidates who could not defeat this fleabag of a President.

David Baton Rouge Louisiana (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:01 PM)

Lets look at this mathematically. The people don't approve of the government. Who's fault is it?

President(R) = %50 of government.
Congress (%53(D), %47(R)) = %50 of government.
R = %74 of government.

So, mathematically, rebublicans are 74 per cent responsible for the low approval of the American government.

Ken, Seattle WA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:11 PM)

ROBB, I APOLOGIZE TO ALL THE MONKEYS COMPARING GEORGIE TO YOU. HE'S NOT EVEN CLOSE, WHAT WAS I THINKING. OH ! BY THE WAY TELL GEORGE McDONALDS CALLED, THEY OFFERED HIM THE POSITION AS HEAD FRY COOK.

JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:11 PM)

AMERICA LETS NOT WAIT ANOTHER 19 MONTHS WHICH STILL LEAVES HIM TIME TO DESTROY THE COUNTRY MORE OUT OF SPITE.LETS START IMPEACHMENT NOW!

juan ft lauderdale, fl (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:25 PM)

I am looking for a 7 per cent solution.. Perhaps by then some Leadership will emerge in the Congress. I don't expect much from the Republicans, but damn where are the Democrats....Waiting for the next poll result.

Stephen, Portland, OR (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:37 PM)

Bear in mind that a fair amount of the 86% of Americans who disapprove of Congress are probably upset that no one has been impeached yet. I think a good old fashioned impeachment process would provide a healthy bump.

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:50 PM)

REALLY.. LET'S CALL ARE CONGRESSMEN AND CONGRESSWOMEN AND "DEMAND" THAT IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS BEGIN IMMEDIATELY ! BY THE TIME GEORGIE LEAVES OFFICE WE WILL BE A 3RD. WORLD COUNTRY OR EVEN WORSE!! I'AM GETTING MY PASSPORT READY, AND SINCE THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS HANDLING IT , PROBABLY WIL NOT GET IT UNTIL NEXT YEAR ..IF I'AM LUCKY.

JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 6:55 PM)

He's not even a lame duck. The only one who is still listing to him is .

JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:00 PM)

I'm betting that Bush/Cheney go lower than Nixon, because even with Watergate, Nixon was a better president!

kim, crofton md (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:04 PM)

Things will look up for you shorty Georgie, right after the "Gonzo Gate" scandle goes away. However there is no chance in hell it's going to go away! Give my best to your buddies Dickie and Karl. Have they recieved there supoenas yet?

JOHNNY JUSTICE ANYWHERE USA (Sent Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:24 PM)

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