Ipsos-Public Affairs/Cook Political Report Poll: One Month after the End of the War in Iraq, Americans are Significantly Less Confident About the Direction of the Country, Paticularly Among Voters Age 18-29

Between May 6-8, 2003, and May 20-22, 2003, Ipsos US Public Affairs interviewed for the Cook Political Report a representative sample of 2,003 adult Americans nationwide, including 1,548 registered voters. The margin of error for the combined surveys is 177 2.2% for all adults, 177 2.5% for registered voters.

Washington, D.C -- In interviews with 1,548 registered voters conducted May 6-8, 2003, and May 20-22, 2003, the Ipsos-Public Affairs/Cook Political Report Poll finds confidence in the country declining sharply since the conclusion of the war in Iraq, particularly among voters age 18-29.

• The current Ipsos Public Affairs/Cook Political Report Poll finds a slim majority (51%) of adults believe the country is headed in the right direction, down 7 points since one month ago.
• This concern is most evident among respondents age 18-29. A majority (52%) now feel the country is off on the wrong track, a net difference of 22 points since one month ago.

• Overall presidential approval has dipped by four points since the end of the war in Iraq. However, overall approval still rests eight points higher than before the war.

• All aspects of presidential approval have declined except handling of foreign policy.

• Among 18-29 year-olds, overall presidential approval has dipped from 59% at the end of the war with Iraq to 52% currently, and disapproval has risen from 39% to 47%.
• Attitudes toward reelection have generally stayed the same since the end of the war in Iraq, although attitudes toward reelecting George W. Bush have dropped significantly among voters age 18-29 over the past month.

• With regard to generic Congressional vote, a significant decrease in the support for a Republican Congress is apparent in the period since the end of the war with Iraq, as is an increase in support for a Democratic Congress. The current poll shows Republicans and Democrats in a statistical dead heat regarding Americans' preference for control of the Congress.

• Among 18-29 year-olds, a majority now prefer a Democratically-controlled Congress, a slight increase since the end of the war with Iraq.

For more information on this release, please contact: Thomas Riehle President Ipsos-Public Affairs 202.463.7300