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Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Bush Approval at New Low in Ohio

Posted by DavidNYC

The University of Cincinnati's new Ohio Poll (PDF) shows Bush's approval rating in the Buckeye State sinking to 49% - below my beloved Mendoza Line. An equal percentage disapproves of his performance. When we last checked in, Dubya was at 54% in Ohio, so the plunge continues.

A few observations: The poll points out that Reagan and Clinton hit similar lows before going on to capture Ohio in their re-election campaigns. However, nadirs for both Presidents 40 and 42 came around the mid-term. We're a lot closer to election day now.

Also, while Bush continues to run strong with Republicans, only 51% of independents give him the thumbs-up. Furthermore, while Bush has been in the tank on his economic approval numbers for some time (and currently has just 40% approval on that score), his "foreign affairs" standing has also dropped below 50% for the first time, to 47%. Far from being a source of strength, Bush's foreign policy might turn into a major albatross for him, as these numbers hint.

(Thanks to noah.)

Posted at 02:01 PM in Ohio | Technorati

Comments

Well, this scotches the "Ohio not Republican meme" that I've been scourged for at Kos.

Posted by: ten nights at February 18, 2004 10:07 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

You don't seriously believe that a 5% drop in an approval rating 8, 9, or 10 months prior to the election (whenever the poll took place) is a plunge, do you? A dip maybe, a plunge, nope, sorry. Ohio is going to be rough the whole way, and our polls are notoriously fickle. Bush had a 14 point lead, what 2 weeks before election day in Ohio, and won by 4 I think. So there ya go.

Posted by: Mark at March 5, 2004 12:01 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment