If there’s even a shred of good news for Bush in the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, it’s hiding very well.
It has been weeks since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast; since gas prices began spiking to record highs; and since Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, held her antiwar vigil outside President Bush’s Texas ranch. But, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, the fortunes of the Bush administration and the Republican Party have not yet begun to recover.
For the first time in the poll, Bush’s approval rating has sunk below 40 percent, while the percentage believing the country is heading in the right direction has dipped below 30 percent. In addition, a sizable plurality prefers a Democratic-controlled Congress, and just 29 percent think Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers is qualified to serve on the nation’s highest court.
“Any way you slice this data, I think these are just terrible sets of numbers,” said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.
If there was a subtle bump after Bush’s handling of Hurricane Rita, it’s gone now, replaced with widespread discontent. In fact, it’s affecting the entire GOP.
Tom DeLay’s legal difficulties, for example, are seen as serious and legitimate by the public. Despite DeLay hitting the airwaves hard to denounce his indictments (and Ronnie Earle), 65% say the charges suggest “potential illegal activity,” while 24% say it’s “politics as usual.” Similarly, Bill Frist’s troubles are perceived the same way, with 57% saying Frist’s investment controversy indicates potential illegal activity.
Dems, meanwhile, are on the rise.
In addition, with 13 months until the 2006 congressional elections, 48 percent say they prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, compared with 39 percent who want the Republicans to control Capitol Hill. In fact, that nine-point difference is the largest margin between the parties in the 11 years the NBC/Journal poll has been tracking this question.
A stunning 28% believe the country is headed in the right direction, another all-time low in Bush’s presidency, and generally a sign that voters are anxious for significant change.
Let’s also consider Bush’s approval rating in context with other October data.
* NBC/Wall Street Journal has Bush’s approval rating at 39%, the lowest of his presidency.
* AP-Ipsos has Bush’s approval rating at 39%, tied for the lowest of his presidency.
* CBS has Bush’s approval rating at 37%, the lowest of his presidency.
I vaguely recall a time, a few months ago, when the idea of Bush’s support dropping into the 30s was but a dream. Now, it’s routine.