Bush's Overall Job Approval Rating Holds Steady As Views on National Economy Improve

American Research Group ^ | 5/16/03

[LdSentinal]

George W. Bush's overall job approval rating is holding steady after jumping to 67% in April as Americans say they are more optimistic about the national economy according to the latest survey by the American Research Group. Among all Americans, 68% say they approve of the way Bush is handling his job and 24% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 56% of all Americans say they approve and 32% say they disapprove.

Among Americans registered to vote, 65% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 28% disapprove. As for Bush's handling of the economy, 49% of registered voters approve and 41% disapprove.

When it comes to the economy, 40% of Americans say the national economy is getting better, up from 14% in both April and March. Increased optimism about the national economy is greatest among Americans not registered to vote. Those feeling more optimistic about the national economy are also more apt to approve of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president and approve of the way he is handling the economy.

The results presented here are based on 1,100 completed telephone interviews conducted among a nationwide random sample of adults 18 years and older. The interviews were completed May 12 through 15, 2003. The theoretical margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points, 95% of the time, on questions where opinion is evenly split.

Overall, 68% of Americans say that they approve of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president, 24% disapprove, and 8% are undecided.

[McGavin999]

As the media drumbeat goes on about the "failing US economy" the people have adopted the same way of interpreting the news that the Russians did years ago. Whatever the media says, the people know the opposite is true. That's why they're so optimistic.

[WarrenC]

Very good news. The other day someone noted on FR that the the stock market's (the DJIA, as I recall) 50 day moving average line had moved above the 200 day moving average line and that this is a very positive indicator for future performance. Don't want to count my chickens but 2004 is shaping up very nicely.

[SamAdams76]

The local traffic-shopping-dining-out index appears to have risen in the Boston area lately. That is, there is more traffic on the roads, the lines are longer at the stores and there is a longer wait for a table at a restaurant - especially on Friday and Saturday nights.