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Bush Cabinet Ratings Still Falling
Job ratings for President Bush and the major members of his cabinet have fallen to their lowest levels yet, according to the Harris Poll. However, neither the democrats nor Senator John Kerry in particular appear to be benefiting at present, with voting intentions suggesting a very close result.
Three key figures have seen their positive ratings overtaken by their negative since thelast poll in February. President Bush is down to 48% positive, 51% negative, the worst ratings of his presidency; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's ratings have fallen to 45% positive, 47% negative from 50% positive, 43% negative in February and Attorney General John Ashcroft's ratings have fallen to 40% positive, 45% negative compared to 44% positive, 42% negative in February.
Vice President Dick Cheney's ratings remain the lowest of the main figures, falling to 36% positive, 52% negative, compared to 41% positive, 48% negative in February. Secretary of State Colin Powell's remain the highest at 63% positive, 31% negative, but these are also his worst ratings since he took office.
Of all the presidents going back to Lyndon Johnson, only President George H. W. Bush and President James Carter had worse ratings in April before their re-election bid. All three of the presidents who won re-election - President Nixon, President Reagan, President Clinton - enjoyed somewhat or much better ratings in April of their re-election years.
|
President
Bush And His
Predecessors
Job Rating
In April Before
Re-Election
Campaign |
| |
| President |
Date |
Positive |
Negative |
Not
Sure |
| George
W. Bush |
April
2004 |
48 |
51 |
1 |
| Clinton** |
April
1996 |
52 |
47 |
* |
| George
H. W. Bush |
April
1992 |
37 |
62 |
1 |
| Reagan** |
April
1984 |
61 |
39 |
* |
| Carter |
April
1980 |
36 |
63 |
1 |
| Ford |
April
1976 |
37 |
60 |
3 |
| Nixon** |
April
1972 |
50 |
46 |
4 |
| Johnson |
April
1968 |
57 |
43 |
- |
| *
= Less than
0.5 percent. |
| **
Re-elected. |
The issues which are seen to be most important by the largest numbers of people are either the economy or are related to national security and the war on terrorism. The economy still tops the list at 28%, but 'the war' has returned to top of mind for many Americans (20%), while military and defense issues (7%) and homeland security (6%) are also mentioned by substantial numbers of people. Other issues high on the list are jobs / employment (15%), health care (9%) and education (6%).
"If the next presidential election were held today between George W. Bush for the Republicans, John Kerry for the Democrats and Ralph Nader as an Independent, for whom would you most likely vote?"
| Table
1 - Bush vs.
Kerry |
| |
Total |
Registered
to Vote |
Likely
Voter |
| 0% |
0% |
0% |
| George
Bush |
43 |
45 |
46 |
| John
Kerry |
43 |
43 |
43 |
| Ralph
Nader |
9 |
8 |
8 |
| None
of these |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| Not
sure/Refused |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Bush
Lead |
- |
2 |
3 |
| NOTE:
Percentages
may not add
up to 100%
due to rounding. |
| Base: All Adults |
| Table
2 - Positive
Ratings Trends
Since 9/11/01:
Summary |
| Base:
All Adults |
| POSITIVE
RATINGS |
Soon
After 9/11 |
Feb
2003 |
April
2003 |
Aug
2003 |
Oct
2003 |
Dec
2003 |
Feb
2004 |
April
2004 |
| President
George Bush |
88% |
52% |
70% |
57% |
59% |
50% |
51% |
48% |
| Secretary
of State Colin
Powell |
88% |
76% |
81% |
72% |
70% |
74% |
65% |
63% |
Secretary
of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld |
78% |
56% |
71% |
55% |
47% |
57% |
50% |
45% |
| Attorney
General John
Ashcroft |
65% |
51% |
57% |
48% |
42% |
51% |
44% |
40% |
| Vice
President
Dick Cheney |
69% |
45% |
55% |
42% |
42% |
42% |
41% |
36% |
| Republicans
in Congress |
67% |
43% |
52% |
41% |
40% |
37% |
40% |
35% |
| Democrats
in Congress |
68% |
38% |
39% |
30% |
34% |
28% |
33% |
32% |
| Senate
Majority Leader
Bill Frist |
NA |
37% |
39% |
32% |
29% |
28% |
31% |
26% |
| House
Speaker Dennis
Hastert |
52% |
33% |
41% |
29% |
29% |
24% |
26% |
25% |
| Note:
(NA) = Not
Applicable |
979 Americans aged 18+ were interviewed by telephone between April 8 and 15. More details and trend tables are available from Harris Interactive, whose web site is at www.harrisinteractive.com
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