AP/Ipsos Poll: Americans Support Bush On Terrorism, Not On Social Security
Foreign Policy And War On Terrorism Remain Bush's Strong Point
Half (52%) of American adults approve of Bush's handling of foreign policy and the war on terrorism (46% disapprove). Public attitudes toward Bush's performance on these issues has rebounded modestly from polls conducted in the past two months. Of the five topics covered in the question, Bush's public approval is once again strongest on these international issues.
Approval for Bush's handling of foreign affairs and terrorism is highest among men (59%), residents of the Midwest and South (57%), and Republican registered voters (86%). Criticism of Bush's handling of foreign policy is more pronounced among women (52% disapprove), minorities (63% disapprove, vs. 42% of whites), and residents of the Northeast (57%) and Pacific (52%) regions.
Social Security Emerges As Bush's Achilles Heel
In line with the early February AP/Ipsos poll, Bush's approval ratings are lowest on handling Social Security (37% approve, 56% disapprove). Residents of the Northeastern U.S. (69%), women over 45 years (66%) and people without investments (61%) are especially likely to disapprove of Bush's performance on Social Security. Senior citizens are most likely to "strongly disapprove" (52%, vs. 27% of people in their thirties).
Social Security may indeed be dragging down the President's ratings among certain key groups. Comparing approval ratings on foreign policy and the war on terrorism versus approval on handling Social Security points to substantial gaps among women (16 points difference between approval of foreign policy vs. approval of Social Security), people age 50 and over (-23 for those age 50-64), and people with up to a high school diploma (-21). Also, although their numbers are relatively small, Independent registered voters are more critical of Bush's handling of Social Security (20% approve, 62% disapprove) than foreign policy and the war on terrorism (48%-41%).
Public Divided On Bush's Overall Performance
Americans remain evenly split in their views of Bush's overall handling of the Presidency. Half (48%) approve and half (50%) disapprove. This is a topic where nearly everyone has an opinion: very few respondents have mixed feelings or are undecided on Bush's performance so far. As in polls taken over the past year - both before and after the November election - ratings of Bush's performance are sharply divided along partisan lines. Most (87%) Republican registered voters approve of Bush's performance, while most (82%) of their Democratic counterparts disapprove.
Congress Comes Under Criticism
By a five-to-four margin, Americans say they disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job. But unlike opinions on President Bush's performance, Americans don't have strong views on Congress, although more say they "strongly disapprove" (18%) than "strongly approve" (7%).
Half Still Say Country Headed Down Wrong Track
A majority (55%) of adult Americans say the U.S. is generally off on the wrong track, in keeping with findings from over the past year. Four in ten (40%) say the country is heading in the right direction. Whether defined by party affiliation or their views toward the President's handling of the issues, Bush supporters are clearly positive and Bush opponents are solidly negative toward the country's direction.
The Associated Press Poll is conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Between March 7-9, 2005, the AP-Ipsos poll interviewed a representative sample of 1,001 adults nationwide, including 842 registered voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 for all adults and +/- 3.4 for registered voters. Margin of error for subgroups may be higher.
For more information on this press release, please contact: Janice Bell Director, Ipsos Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 202.463.7300
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