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Bush Approval at 66%: Few blame administration for recent terrorist attacks (David W. Moore, May 23, 2003, GALLUP NEWS SERVICE)

The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted May 19-21, finds 66% of Americans approving of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president, down slightly from the 69% registered earlier this month, and the 70% he averaged in four polls conducted in April, but still above the prewar level of 58%. The poll also finds that few people are willing to assign very much blame to the Bush administration for recent terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia and Morocco, and that most people have confidence in the administration to protect the country from future terrorist attacks. Americans are less likely now than earlier this year to believe that there will be further acts of terrorism in the United States.

Especially interesting, given the divisiveness surrounding everything from FL in '00 to the anti-war movement, is that his disapproval is only 30%. Given that a number closer to 40% was typical for both Reagan and Clinton and seemed to reflect a country that was split 40% to 40% with 20% in play, you have to wonder if the Democratic Left hasn't experienced some slippage. Even if it's just a 42% to 38% nation now (the numbers being relative, of course), that's significant. Posted by Orrin Judd at May 23, 2003 12:25 PM