What Americans Really Think of Bush's State of the Union Speech
Newsmax.com ^ | 01/22/2004 | Carl Limbacher
New numbers from the Office of Strategic Initiatives show overwhelming support for President Bush and say that 76 percent rated the speech favorably, and 70 percent say the policies outlined in the speech will move the nation in the right direction, according to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll.
But Bush has Americans' favor all the way around:
* 69% express satisfaction with their financial situation (NBC/WSJ)
* 68% approve of Bush's handling of terrorism (NYT)
* 64% rate Bush as a strong leader (CBS/NYT)
* 59% say Bush cares about their needs and problems (CBS/NYT)
* 58% say the Bush administration has made progress on the economy (CBS/NYT) * 58% approve of the president's job performance (ABC/Wash. Post)
* 54% approve of Bush's handling of the economy (Gallup)
* 54% favor the new Medicare law (NBC/WSJ)
When it comes to siding with the GOP or the Dems, Americans favor the GOP on national defense by 37 points, moral values by 22 points, foreign policy by 15 points, and taxes and controlling spending by 2 points.