Bush's job approval rating bounces up a few points
Bush's approval rose by 3 to 6 percentage points for his handling of a half-dozen specific issues, though he gets majority approval only on terrorism. Most Americans continue to disapprove of his handling of the economy, by 58%-40%, and of Iraq, by 59%-39%. His biggest jump was a 6-point rise in approval for his handling of gas and home-heating prices, though two-thirds still express disapproval of him on that issue.
• Those opposed to Bush hold more intense views than his supporters. In the survey, 43% strongly disapproved of his performance; 22% strongly approved.
• The president's series of speeches on Iraq over the past two weeks hasn't convinced Americans that he has a plan for victory: 38% say he has one, 58% say he doesn't. That's a bit worse than when the question was asked on the night of his first speech. Even so, by 63%-34%, those polled say Iraq has made "real progress" toward establishing a democracy. (Related story: Bush says Iraq elections a crucial step)
"The president is focused on winning the war in Iraq and also on keeping the economy growing strong and will let the polls take care of themselves," White House spokesman Trent Duffy says. Still, he adds, "He is pleased that Americans are feeling more optimistic about the economy." Democratic strategist Mark Mellman says Bush's opponents shouldn't be surprised: "What goes down sometimes comes up."
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