SurveyUSA: Bush Katrina #s stabilize at low rating

[Teaser]

Well, Checking out SurveyUSA this morning, I see that their lates poll still has approval of his handling of the Katrina aftermath at a low 38%. Disapproval is at 54%. This isn't looking too good for him right now.

There are also a confusing series of graphs indicating people's opinions based on some color coding scheme. 35% of people apparently rate Bush's handling of the situation a "1" (out of 10).

Bad, bad numbers.

[leveymg]

1. Guess they didn't have a zero on that scale.

Or negative numbers.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. 38% is about a low as his ratings can get

In an election, that's about what a major party presidential candidate can expect to get just for showing up. It's approximately the percentage won by Goldwater, McGovern and Mondale.

[Teaser]

3. Yep. It's his base.

and they will never, ever leave him. They love him so.

[jackbourassa]

12. Bush's numbers will stay at 38% until...

a) He does something royally to piss off the base.

b) The economy takes a major nosedive and his base is affected.

Otherwise, 38% to 40% is the best we can hope for.

[bunkerbuster1]

6. Nixon slipped lower

10+ points lower.

Have a look here:

http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/cgi-bin/hsrun.exe/Roperweb/PresJob/PresJob.htx;start=HS_fullresults?pr=Nixon

[Teaser]

7. Rep base was smaller then, though.

It has grown, unfortunately.

[jackbourassa]

13. But Nixon had a major recession in 1973-74.

It's important to remember that the public didn't support the removal of Nixon until the Summer of 1974, and even then it hovered around 50% to 55%.

I bet if we took a poll asking whether Bush should be impeached, it would be higher than Nixon throughout most of the Watergate scandal (1972-1974).

[deadparrot]

15. I agree.

It's really scraping the bottom of the barrel, if you ask me. :shrug:

Maybe it could be closer to the low-to-mid 30s, but I wouldn't hold my breath past that.

[DemsUnited]

4. KICK and you can an easier to read table by clicking on the poll

number on the main page, i.e., words "poll# 6799"

[Teaser]

5. Their web design blows.

It's ugly. And the real shame is, SUSA has been one of the most reliable pollsters of late, even given their autodialing methodology. But this web interface is so clunky, who is ever gonna know?

[Rose Siding]

8. Today's numbers are *higher* for him- by 5pts overnight, to 43%

From the link (updated, maybe?)...

Data Collected: 09/06/2005
Release Date: 09/07/2005
...
The number of Americans who approve of President Bush's response to the hurricane jumped 5% overnight, from 38% on 9/5 to 43% on 9/6. A majority of Americans, 52%, still today disapprove of the President's response, down slightly from 55% on 9/4.

[Teaser]

9. It will go up, sadly...

as the original disaster recedes, because the federal effort is improving. But those negative impressions are out there to stay.

[loudsue]

10. I think it's the SPIN that's improving...not the response....

but I'm used to this administration's spin, and the media enablers that let it all happen.

:kick:

[kath]

11. looks like the spin is working.

[jackbourassa]

14. Because Republicans are coming back

This is becoming another Bush red state/blue state issue.

[Darkhawk32]

16. Killing black people has lit a fire in the racist Republican party. n/t

[SemiCharmedQuark]

17. Unfortunately, people have short attention spans

And the spin is in full gear. We'll have to work hard to make sure people don't fall for the lies again.