Pollsters have been busy the past few days, pulling together data on the electorate’s views in advance of the president’s State of the Union address. Here’s a summary of what the various news outlets found:
* New York Times/CBS poll — Bush was viewed favorably by 42% of the respondents, statistically the same as in the last Times/CBS News poll, but the public seems to reserve its strongest disappointment for Congress: 61% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Congress, the highest in 10 years. Respondents also said Republicans are more likely to be unduly influenced by lobbyists.
As for warrantless searches, the key for the public seems to be motivation. The poll found that 53% approved of Bush’s authorizing eavesdropping without prior court approval “in order to reduce the threat of terrorism”; 46% disapproved. When the question was asked stripped of any mention of terrorism, 46% of those respondents approved, and 50% said they disapproved. (Watch for “terrorist surveillance program” to dominate GOP talking points.)
* Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll — Only 43% of Americans said they approved of Bush’s performance as president, which is his weakest showing ever in an LAT poll. He received even lower marks for his handling of the economy, healthcare and Iraq, and by a 2-1 ratio, those surveyed said the nation needed to change direction from the overall course Bush had set. Bush’s saving grace: for whatever reason, poll respondents still believe that Bush’s policies have made the nation more secure and trust him to protect the country against terrorism.
As for Congress, neither party is well liked, but Democrats were favored, 46% to 37%, when registered voters were asked which party they intended to support for Congress in November.
* USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll — Most Americans are pessimistic about the economy, divided on the war and doubtful that Bush has the best plan to address the issues that matter most to them — among them health care and corruption. By more than 2-to-1, those surveyed say things have gotten worse in the United States over the past five years. Even conservatives divide 47%-44% on whether things have gotten better or worse.
By 64%-34%, they said Bush didn’t have a clear plan for solving the country’s problems. The president received his strongest approval rating, 52%, on fighting terrorism. But on health care — ranked as an issue equal to the economy — congressional Democrats were more trusted, 54%-35%.
Just some numbers to keep in mind.