The US public's view of President George W. Bush's job performance has dropped in a number of areas, although he remains personally popular, according to a new poll.
Mr Bush's overall job approval was at 50 per cent in the CNN- USA Today-Gallup poll, with 47 per cent disapproving of his job performance.
His approval has ranged from 50 per cent to the mid 50s, depending on the poll. An ABC News- Washington Postpoll released yesterday placed his job approval at 57 per cent with 39 per cent disapproving.
When asked if they approve of him personally, two-thirds said they approve, about the same level of popularity he had early in his term.
The public was divided about Mr Bush on various measures, with an equal number saying he cares about the needs of people like them and saying he does not.
People were also evenly divided over whether they admire the president or not. As recently June, almost six in 10 said Mr Bush cared about the needs of people like them. In the spring of 2002, people said they admired Mr Bush by a 2-1 margin.
These measures have dipped as public doubts have increased about the president's policies in Iraq.
Two-thirds say he is a strong and decisive leader, but people are divided sharply over whether they will support him for another term.
A fifth in the poll said they are certain to vote for Mr Bush, while a third said they were certain to vote against him. People were about evenly divided on leaning toward or against voting for him, while 15 per cent were undecided.
AP