The president's rating in a free fall. Thought my eyes were deceiving me! "In a specific comparison with President Clinton, those surveyed by 48%-36% say they trust Bush less." The president took off for Asia. Expectations are low; he might receive a better reception than he did during his recent jaunt to Latin America but apart from photo ops the trip will produce nothing. On the domestic front, however, it is a discouraging picture for the president. Results of a poll conducted by USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll (taken Friday-Nov.11th through Sunday-Nov.13th) show further erosion in support for G.W. Bush. Apparently, his Veterans' Day speech failed to win many converts.
In the poll:
- Two-thirds of independents and 91% of Democrats disapprove of the job Bush is doing. Even among Republicans, who have solidly backed Bush in the past, 19% express disapproval — a new high.
- For the first time — albeit by a narrow 49%-48% — a plurality disapprove of the way Bush is handling the issue of terrorism. Six in 10 disapprove of the way he's handling foreign affairs, the economy, Iraq and immigration, and 71% disapprove of him on controlling federal spending.
- A 53% majority say they trust what Bush says less than they trusted previous presidents while they were in office. In a specific comparison with President Clinton, those surveyed by 48%-36% say they trust Bush less.
- A record high 60% say going to war in Iraq was "not worth it." In a finding consistent with previous polls, 54% say it was "a mistake" to send troops there.
"There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots. What is it? Distrust."
---Demosthenes