5/18 ARG survey: * approval ratings are at post-election lows

[paineinthearse]

http://www.americanresearchgroup.com/

Bush Job Approval Ratings 5/18/05

Category / Approve Disapprove Undecided
Overall / 43% 51% 6%
Economy / 37% 57% 6%

George W. Bush's job approval ratings are at post-election lows as Americans become increasingly concerned about their personal finances. Details from the nationwide survey conducted May 15-18 are available at The National Economy - http://www.americanresearchgroup.com/economy/

May 19, 2005
Increasing Concerns Over the Economy
Push Bush's Job Approval Ratings to Post-election Lows

George W. Bush's job approval ratings have dropped to post-election lows as Americans have become increasingly concerned about their personal finances and the national economy according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. Among all Americans, 43% say they approve of the way Bush is handling his job and 51% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 37% of Americans say they approve and 57% say they disapprove.

Among Americans registered to vote, 43% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 51% disapprove. As for Bush's handling of the economy, 38% of registered voters approve and 56% disapprove.

A total of 59% of Americans say the national economy is getting worse, up from 53% in April, 51% say they expect the national economy to be worse a year from now, up from 44% in April, and 61% say the financial situations in their households are getting worse, up from 50% in April.

The results presented here are based on 1,100 completed telephone interviews conducted among a nationwide random sample of adults 18 years and older. The interviews were completed May 15 through 18, 2005. The theoretical margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points, 95% of the time, on questions where opinion is evenly split.

Overall, 43% of Americans say that they approve of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president, 51% disapprove, and 6% are undecided.

much more, with tables.......

[damntexdem]

1. But none of this means anything.

Without fair elections and a 'majority party' with integrity, public opinion doesn't seem to count for anything.

[AllegroRondo]

2. Its the lowest rating of any second term president

at this point in the second term. At least since they started keeping records.

[Doctor_J]

3. When he goes to prison, he'll be at 43%

a shame what an effect hate radio has on this country

[killbotfactory]

4. keep talking george... juse keep talking

nothing runs down his disapproval rating more than Bush talking

[orwell]

5. Liar's Poker

Bush's approvals seem to be tracking gas prices, as most here have suggested. But something else may be afoot.

The US economy, if viewed from the platform of corporate profits is doing quite well. Also, consumer spending has held up far better than most had predicted. Housing starts are at records as are prices. Since 65+% of Americans own their own homes, they should be fairly happy.

So why the unease? Why has this meme gained traction that the economy is not doing well?

Interest rates and debt.

As interest rates rise, the lack of personal savings and high personal debt levels becomes a real problem for the average working family.

You see, the great economic stimulus of the Bush II era did not come from the tax cuts as the Cons claim, but from good old Keynesian deficit spending along with the potent "free money" kicker provided by the Fed. The deficits alone were greater than the tax cuts.

As the Fed starts to slow the growth of Fed Credit, and interest rates tighten, even slightly, the debt leverage on the US consumer, while not yet affecting spending, is starting to erode confidence.

The whole Con game relies on debt, debt, and more debt, from the beggar thy neighbor policies of the monstrous trade deficit to the No Tax and Spend policies of the domestic deficit. And all are enabled by a compliant Fed who stands by like a mob loan shark to rake off the glittering profits from the compulsive gambler known as the United States.

It is a devastating game of Liar's poker. But this time, everyone at the table will lose.

[napi21]

10. Consumer spending and housing starts are high becasue consumer debt is at

an all time high too! With the tricks the cr card companies are playing with increasing int. rates if you're a day late on even one card, and some losing their jobs and having to take lower paying ones, I think the sh*its going to hit the fan soon. I don't want to see it, but many many people are overextended. I know far too many who have used home equity loans to pay off credit cards, only to run them up again!

I've been worried about this for quite a while, and nothing is getting any better.

Add to that problem that there could be a burst of the housing bubble in some major areas, and interest rates are about to rise, we have ourselves a real problem here!!!

[Nordmadr]

6. Unless it is a margin of error thing

I am confused as to how 59% can say the economy is doing worse under GW, but only 56% disapprove of his handling of it. Does that mean there are 3% of people out there that realize the economy is getting worse, but approve of him making it so?

Olaf

[4_TN_TITANS]

7. 51%.... 51%......

That number seems fairly constant, but the buffoon still "won" the election??? Surely a majority disapproving just months after a "majority" elected the fool ought to set some bells off. :grr:

[Javaman]

8. Oh come on, the exit polls were soooooooooo off...

Even though Kerry out polled him by a large margin, I think by the same percentage as the people that are now against moron*, they just had to be wrong...just had to be, I tell ya!

Oh the humanity!

I can't wait to see the 08 elections. It will be amusing to watch the tornado of a spin machine the repukes put out to counter all lies and 8 years of bullshit.

[paineinthearse]

11. Are you looking at the trend at the website?

There is a steady downward progesssion.

[libertypirate]

9. I think we know who voted for this guy, the 43% hold outs

who don't want to be wrong!