Iowans' support for Bush tumbles

[4dsc]

http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/22306371.html

President Bush's popularity in Iowa has plunged as more Iowans have become disenchanted with his handling of Iraq and the economy.

A new Des Moines Register poll shows that 49 percent of Iowans approve of Bush's overall job performance, a drop of 18 percentage points from May. That's his lowest approval rating in the Iowa Poll since taking office in 2001. The president's highest mark was 84 percent following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Changing fortunes in Iraq have hurt the Republican's popularity.

In mid-May, after Bush's declaration that major combat had ended, 71 percent of Iowa adults approved of how he had dealt with the conflict that drove Saddam Hussein from power. Four months later, 47 percent applaud the president as American forces try to rebuild the war-torn country amid almost-daily guerrilla attacks.

[Booberdawg]

1. Wow, an 18 point drop in approval since May

Here are some other interesting numbers:

* About two-thirds of the state's adults say they were in favor of the war at its outset last March, while one-third opposed the conflict from the beginning. When asked whether their opinions have changed since then, 55 percent say their attitude toward the war has become less favorable while 35 percent say they have a more favorable opinion of the conflict.

* Among the group of Iowans who backed the war from the beginning, 40 percent say they have a less favorable attitude now.

* A diminishing majority of Iowans believe the war in Iraq will have been worth the bloodshed and cost even if weapons of mass destruction are never found. In the latest poll, 51 percent feel that way, which is a drop of 17 points from May.

[Brucey]

3. Fantastic... thanks for the info.

Everything moving in the right direction; gotta keep it going.

[CMT]

2. also Bush has a 41% re-elect number

41-41 in a race with a hypothetical Democrat. In May it was 52-28 for Bush.

[Vikingking66]

4. did Bush win Iowa in 2000?

I'm just trying to figure out whether this is a new Blue state or not.

[dusty64]

5. Gore won, although

it was closer than it should have been. I see this state remaining blue in 2004.