FAIRFIELD, Conn.— President George W. Bush, in October 2005, received his lowest positive job performance rating recorded by the Sacred Heart University Polling Institute. According to the national poll, the President's favorable job performance rating is 42.0%. This is down from 52.3% in April 2005, 57.7% in April 2004, 53.2% in February 2004, 58.4% in October 2003, 77.9% in April 2003 and 65.1% in March 2003.

“Although public approval ratings normally decline throughout a President's term of office, the severe decline in President Bush's ratings suggest an unusual degree of dissatisfaction among the American people with the President's policies as well as a loss of confidence in his leadership ability,” said Dr. Gary Rose, professor and chair of the Department of Government and Politics at Sacred Heart University.

Among Republican leaning voters, the President's rating was 78.6% positive while those who vote mostly Democrat provided a 14.8% positive rating. Among unaffiliated voters, the positive rating was 42.7%.

Among Hispanics, President Bush received a 20.7% favorable rating while whites provided 46.7% and African-Americans provided a positive rating of 19.8%.

According to Dr. Rose, “if the downward trend continues, it will likely have serious political consequences for the Republicans in the 2006 congressional elections. The President's Republican base, while still loyal, appears to have waned somewhat, and his support among independents and swing voters is very problematic. Taken together, the poll numbers are foreboding for the President and the electoral fortunes of his party.”

EXPERTS AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

·         Dr. Gary Rose, Professor and Chair of the Department of Government and Politics, Sacred Heart University

·         Jerry Lindsley, Director, Sacred Heart University Polling Institute

To speak with these experts, please contact Funda Alp at 203-396-8241 or alpf@sacredheart.edu

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