Iraq - Bush's Poll Ratings Surge

Depending on whose poll you read. Look at these two, one from CNN and one from ABC.

Here is the CNN poll with this headline:

Poll: Iraq speeches, election don't help Bush

CNN -- President Bush's approval ratings do not appear to have changed significantly, despite a number of recent speeches he's given to shore up public support for the war in Iraq and its historic elections on Thursday.

A CNN/USA Today Gallup poll conducted over the weekend found his approval rating stood at 41 percent, while more than half, or 56 percent, disapprove of how the president is handling his job. A majority, or 52 percent, say it was a mistake to send troops to Iraq, and 61 percent say they disapprove of how he is handling Iraq specifically. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

And here is the ABC poll with this headline:

Poll: Bush's Approval Rating Climbs

Dec. 19, 2005 — The recent elections in Iraq and an improved economic outlook at home have shifted public support in the president's direction, lifting him from career lows in his job performance and personal ratings alike. [...]

Overall, 47 percent of Americans in this ABC News/Washington Post poll now approve of George W. Bush's work in office; 52 percent disapprove. While hardly robust, that is up from a career low 39-60 percent in early November to its best in nearly six months.

The president's recent speechmaking on Iraq may have helped him. But public opinion tends to move on the basis of facts on the ground rather than political pronouncements, and the most striking change in this poll is linked to last week's successful elections in Iraq.

Those would be the elections made possible by Bush's decision to liberate Iraq.

Specifically, belief that the United States is making significant progress toward establishing a democratic government in Iraq has jumped dramatically, by 18 points, to 65 percent. A sense of progress in establishing civil order similarly is up, by 16 points, to 60 percent. Each is its best since these questions first were asked in the spring of 2004.

Moreover — in a view held by majorities across party lines — 71 percent of Americans believe the Iraqi elections have moved the United States closer to the day U.S. forces can be withdrawn. Fifty-four percent express optimism about Iraq in the year ahead, eight points more than at this time last year. And 56 percent think the United States is winning the war, a recent theme of the president's, up slightly from 51 percent in August.

You'll recall it was CNN that flashed the big red X over Bush's face during one of his Iraq speeches. When callers phoned in to complain they were told it was freedom of speech. That should help you decide which poll to believe.

UPDATE

Here's a third poll from Investors Business Daily that backs up the ABC poll.

UPDATE

The Wahington Post uses even stronger language over the Post/ABC poll.

Bush's Support Jumps After a Long Decline

President Bush's approval rating has surged in recent weeks, reversing what had been an extended period of decline, with Americans now expressing renewed optimism about the future of democracy in Iraq, the campaign against terrorism and the U.S. economy, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll.

Bush's overall approval rating rose to 47 percent, from 39 percent in early November, with 52 percent saying they disapprove of how he is handling his job. His approval rating on Iraq jumped 10 percentage points since early November, to 46 percent, while his rating on the economy rose 11 points, to 47 percent. A clear majority, 56 percent, said they approve of the way Bush is handling the fight against terrorism -- a traditional strong point in his reputation that nonetheless had flagged to 48 percent in the November poll.

But according to CNN Bush got no Iraq bounce. CNN's rear is looking a little exposed just now.

UPDATE

Even the Bush hating BBC note Bush's rise in popularity.

'Sharp rise' in Bush popularity

Now remember, CNN says Bush got no Iraq bounce.

US President George W Bush's popularity appears to have received a significant boost from last week's Iraq elections.

Of course the BBC ignore Bush's speeches and press conferences.
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