Bush job approval rating bounces back

By Keating Holland
CNN Polling Director

WASHINGTON -- After a mid-summer swoon, George W. Bush's job approval rating has rebounded amid growing approval of how he is handling taxes and the perception that he has been more cooperative than the Democrats in Congress.

Bush's job approval rating -- which had dropped to 52 percent at the start of the month -- gained 5 points in the last week and a half to return to the levels he enjoyed through May and June, according to the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll.

It is likely Bush's personal image is helping to boost his job rating. By a 48 percent to 40 percent margin, Americans responding to the poll said their opinion of Bush is guided more by his personal characteristics than by his stand on issues.

Some 78 percent of those polled said they respect Bush and 70 percent say they approve of Bush as a person -- almost as high as Ronald Reagan's numbers early in his first term.

The survey of 998 adult Americans was conducted July 10-11, 2001.

With large majorities viewing Bush as someone who is tough enough for the job and is a strong leader, he has some significant advantages.

But two-thirds of those polled said big business has too much influence over the Bush administration, and half said he is out of touch with the problems ordinary Americans face in their daily lives.

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll

July 10-11

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

Bush's recent approval ratings

Apart from whether you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president, what do you think of Bush as a person? Would you say you approve or disapprove of him?

Since the start of this year -- when George W. Bush became president -- would you say President Bush has cooperated enough with the Democrats in Congress, or not?

Since the start of this year -- when George W. Bush became president -- would you say the Democrats in Congress have cooperated enough with President Bush, or not?

Regardless of how you feel about his political views, would you say you respect President Bush, or don't you feel that way?

Would you say President Bush is in touch or out of touch with the problems ordinary Americans face in their daily lives?

Do you think big business does -- or does not -- have too much influence over the decisions made by the Bush administration?

Which of the following are most important to you when you decide whether the president is doing a good job -- where he stands on issues that matter to you, or the leadership skills and vision you think he has as president?

Thinking about the following characteristics and qualities, please say whether you think it applies or doesn't apply to George W. Bush: shares your values; cares about the needs of people like you; is a strong and decisive leader; is tough enough for the job.

Note: The following question compares today's response rates to responses given about President Ronald Reagan in July 1981.

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush/Ronald Reagan is handling his job as president? Apart from whether you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush/Ronald Reagan is handling his job as president, what do you think of Bush/Reagan as a person? Would you say you approve or disapprove of him?

Approval of each man as a person

Approval of each man's job performance

The issues

Bush gets high marks on education and taxes, and a majority of those polled approve of how he is handling international policy and the economy. He gets slightly lower marks on the environment and energy (although his approval rating on energy has risen slightly since April).

Just over half approve of how he is handling several issues currently in the news, including the patients' bill of rights and prescription drugs for senior citizens. The same is not true for campaign finance reform, on which he receives his lowest score. As a result, the public thinks Bush should have more influence over the country than the Democrats in Congress -- even though the Democrats rank higher than their GOP counterparts on the Hill.

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling: The economy; foreign affairs; campaign finance; education; energy; the environment; prescription drugs for older Americans; patient's bill of rights; Social Security; taxes.

Note: This question was asked before the president's announcement Thursday of a prescription drug plan for senior citizens.

Do you approve of how Bush is handling ...

Do you approve of how Bush is handling ...

How is Bush handling energy?

How is Bush handling the patients' bill of rights?

How is Bush handling prescription drugs for seniors?

Which comes closest to your view of the way George W. Bush won the 2000 presidential election: he won fair and square; he won, but only on a technicality; or he stole the election?

Who do you want to have more influence over the direction the nation takes in the next year -- George W. Bush or the Democrats in Congress?

Who do you want to have more influence over the direction the nation takes in the next year -- the Republicans in Congress or the Democrats in Congress?

Based on what you have heard or read, do you favor or oppose Congress passing new campaign finance laws?