Dubya: Still more popular than genital warts! (barely)

The latest Newsweek poll shows George W. Bush's is NOT the most unpopular president in U.S. --he is three whole percentage points more popular than Richard Nixon during Watergate.

Only 26 percent of Americans, just over one in four, approve of the job the 43rd president is doing; while, a record 65 percent disapprove, including nearly a third of Republicans...In fact, the only president in the last 35 years to score lower than Bush is Richard Nixon. Nixon’s approval rating tumbled to 23 percent in January 1974, seven months before his resignation over the botched Watergate break-in.

I know what you're thinking -- it's the war. Americans are dying and voters are blaming the president. Well, yes...

The war in Iraq continues to drag Bush down. A record 73 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Bush has done handling Iraq. Despite “the surge” in U.S. forces into Baghdad and Iraq’s western Anbar province, a record-low 23 percent of Americans approve of the president’s actions in Iraq, down 5 points since the
end of March.

...And no. Turns out that American voters just aren't that into Dubya anymore.

But the White House cannot pin his rating on the war alone. Bush scores record or near record lows on every major issue: from the economy (34 percent approve, 60 percent disapprove) to health care (28 percent approve, 61 percent disapprove) to immigration (23 percent approve, 63 percent disapprove). And—in the worst news, perhaps, for the crowded field of Republicans hoping to succeed Bush in 2008—50 percent of Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of terrorism and homeland security. Only 43 percent approve, on an issue that has been the GOP’s trump card in national elections since 9/11.

"But, but, but" I hear the hardcore Bushniks sputter "Voters hate congress more than they hate Bush." True enough...

If there is any good news for Bush and the Republicans in the latest NEWSWEEK Poll, it’s that the Democratic-led Congress fares even worse than the president.Only 25 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing.

...But I think the reason people hate congress is that they haven't managed to clip Georgie's wings yet. Thanks to Bush's veto power, Republican obstructionism and general gutlessness about being accused of "not supporting troops" the Democratic congressional majority hasn't done what people want to see them do. They haven't ended the war, done anythng on health care, or gotten rid of Alberto Gonzales. People hate the president and Nancy Pelosi has taken impeachment off the table.

At least George can take some joy in knowing that he isn't likely to be impeached. No matter how many people hate him, he's still more popular than his puppetmaster Vice-President Dick "Darth Vader" Cheney.

CBS News/New York Times Poll. May 18-23, 1,125 adults nationwide. MoE 3%."Is your opinion of Dick Cheney favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Dick Cheney yet to have an opinion?"

Favorable 13%
NotFavorable 39%
Undecided 23%
Haven'tHeard 24%
Refused 1%

(cross-posted at The Galloping Beaver)