The Hindu : International : Confidence in Bush eroding: poll

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 23, 2004

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International

Confidence in Bush eroding: poll

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JUNE 22. In what should come as disturbing news to the White House, a poll is showing that public confidence in the President, George W. Bush's ability to fight terrorism has significantly eroded; and for the first time, more than 50 per cent of Americans believe that the war in Iraq was not worth fighting.

The ABC News/Washington Post poll spells trouble to the Bush campaign, for the President was consistently rated very high for his war on terrorism. Two months ago, Mr. Bush led the soon-to-be Democratic nominee, Senator John Kerry, by a comfortable margin of 21 points in this category; that slipped to 13 points last month and the new poll shows Mr. Kerry leading with 48 points to the President's 47 points.

The dramatic shift in the public perception of the President with respect to the war on terrorism coupled with changing attitudes on Iraq are pointers that cannot be brushed aside, analysts are reminding the Bush campaign.

With respect to Iraq on the cost-benefit scale, only 47 per cent felt that the war was worth fighting while 52 per cent said that it was not, the highest level of disapproval recorded in ABC News/Washington Post polls, it is being pointed out.

The President's approval rating on Iraq remains negative but rising slightly to 44 per cent even as 55 per cent have said that they disapprove.

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