SurveyUSA has another one of those interesting 50-state polls out this week, breaking down Bush’s approval rating on a state-by-state basis. The president is down to 37% overall, which is about average for most of the recent national polls, but to appreciate Bush’s lack of support, you really have to see the state numbers.
The top five:
Idaho — 59% approve, 39% disapprove
Utah — 59% approve, 38% disapprove
Wyoming — 53% approve, 44% disapprove
Mississippi — 50% approve, 48% disapprove
Oklahoma — 49% approve, 49% disapprove
The bottom five:
Rhode Island — 26% approve, 73% disapprove
New York — 27% approve, 70% disapprove
Vermont — 29% approve, 69% disapprove
Delaware — 29% approve, 69% disapprove
New Jersey — 30% approve, 67% disapprove
There are a handful of interesting ways to review the data, but one thing that stands out is just how few states are left for Bush. A few months ago, the top five used to reflect the handful of states where the president was very popular among the many where he still enjoyed majority support. Indeed, in May, Bush was above 50% in 13 states. By September, that number had fallen to 10 states. In October, it was six. Now, it’s three.
There are now 10 states that backed Bush in the presidential election last year in which his support is at 40% or lower. In Texas — Texas! — Bush’s approval rating is only 42%, while his disapproval rating is at 52%.
Will anyone want to campaign alongside Bush next year? Not if they’re even remotely vulnerable.