April 11, 2005

Denver, CO- President Bush’s approval rating has taken a dramatic dive over the last several weeks.  According to a USA TODAY/CNN/GALLUP poll, Bush’s approval rating has slipped to a record low 45%.  This represents the lowest approval rating of his presidency.

Bush’s 45% approval rating is the lowest approval rating in recent history for 2nd Term Presidents.  In comparison, President Clinton had an approval rating of 59% at this point in his second term.  Bush’s approval rating is 11 points lower than that of any other Second-Term President.

While the White House has declined to comment on the lack of public support for the President’s agenda, the RNC has connected the drop in approval rating to Bush’s focus on “tough issues”.

“The American public is responding to the failed leadership of the Republican Party.  The sentiment represented in the latest poll numbers is that Americans believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction,” said Joelle Martinez, CDP Communications Director.

The drop in approval rating is a result of Bush’s failed handling of the economy.  59% of those polled said that they believed that economic conditions in America are getting worse.  Many attribute rising concerns over the state of the economy to rising fuel prices and rising health care costs.

“The latest poll numbers show that Americans feel that the current Republican leadership is not effectively addressing the state of our economy.  American families are feeling the effects of rising costs of fuel and health care,” said Pat Waak.  “With numbers like these, Democrats have a lot to look forward to in 2006.”