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Bush Soars Into State of the Union With Exceptional Public Backing
Gallup Poll January 29, 2002
PRINCETON, NJ -- A State of the Union address is typically an
important venue for U.S. presidents to corral public support for
political vision and policy initiatives. Speaking past the members of
Congress and straight into the live television cameras, it is a
once-a-year chance for the modern president to inspire and persuade the
American people.
President George W. Bush should be as well
positioned as any president in recent history to accomplish these
objectives in his speech tonight. He enjoys sky high approval ratings,
has extensive support for his leadership on issues when positioned
against the Democrats in Congress, stirs public confidence in the
direction in which he is leading the nation, and receives high approval
ratings for his leadership in foreign affairs and, to a lesser degree,
even the economy.
According to a new CNN/USA Today/Gallup
poll, the president’s ratings in each of these areas are exceptionally
high, still reflecting the public support he earned following the
events of Sept. 11.
84% of Americans approve of the overall job he is doing as president; only 13% disapprove.
83% characterize the Bush presidency to date as a "success."
83% approve of the way he is handling what is arguably the most important issue of the moment, foreign affairs.
64% approve of the way he is handling the economy -- lower than his
high point of 72% in October, but still higher than he garnered for the
economy prior to Sept. 11, and higher than most presidents,
historically, have received for the economy.
73% think the policies Bush is proposing will move the country in the right direction.
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