CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL - June 16, 2005

BUSH'S JOB APPROVAL

Now 5/2005 5/2004

Approve 42% 46% 41%

Disapprove 51 48 52

Bush's job approval dropped significantly since last month among people aged 30 to 44, from 52% to 40% now. Approval among those in middle-income households (incomes between $30,000 and $50,000) also dropped, from 46% in May to 40% now. Bush also lost ground among white Catholics.

However, the President retains the approval of some key constituent groups. More than 8 in ten Republicans approve of the job he is doing, unchanged in the past month, as do about 7 in ten white evangelical Christians. About two in three conservatives approve of him.

On Iraq, the President's 37% approval rating (not much different from the 38% he received last month) is also similar to the low ratings he received last summer. The percentage of Americans who say taking military action against Iraq was the right thing to do is now at 45%, matching the lowest level ever found in this poll. 51% think the U.S. should have stayed out of Iraq.

U.S. MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ

Now Approval among those in middle-income households (incomes between $30,000 and $50,000) also dropped, from 46% in May to 40% now. Bush also lost ground among white Catholics.

U.S. MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ

Now 4/2005 1/2005 10/2004

Right thing 45% 47% 45% 53%

Should have stayed out 51 48 49 42

By 60% to 40%, Americans think things are going badly for the U.S. in Iraq rather than well.

Bush's approval ratings on specific issues are also low, in some cases approaching all-time lows for this President. Even when it comes to terrorism, the President's strongest issue, approval has dropped 6 points since last month, and now is just above last year's lowest rating of 51% on this issue.

BUSH'S JOB APPROVALS

Approve Disapprove

Overall 42% 51%

Right thing 45% 47% 45% 53%

Should have stayed out 51 48 49 42

By 60% to 40%, Americans think things are going badly for the U.S. in Iraq rather than well.

BUSH'S JOB APPROVALS

Approve Disapprove

Overall 42% 51%

Campaign against terrorism 52% 40%

The economy 39% 56%

Foreign policy 39% 51%

War in Iraq 37% 59%

Handling Social Security 25% 62%

The President fares worst when it comes to opinion of his handling of Social Security. Despite Bush's months-long promotion of his plan for Social Security, only one in four Americans approves of the way he is handling the issue.

In addition, two in three Americans are uneasy about Bush's approach to Social Security; only 27% have confidence in his ability to deal with it. Even some (but not most) Republicans are skeptical. 32% of Republicans disapprove of Bush's handling of the issue, and 35% are uneasy about his approach.

Campaign against terrorism 52% 40%

The economy 39% 56%

Foreign policy 39% 51%

War in Iraq 37% 59%

Handling Social Security 25% 62%

The President fares worst when it comes to opinion of his handling of Social Security. Despite Bush's months-long promotion of his plan for Social Security, only one in four Americans approves of the way he is handling the issue.

In addition, two in three Americans are uneasy about Bush's approach to Social Security; only 27% have confidence in his ability to deal with it. Even some (but not most) Republicans are skeptical. 32% of Republicans disapprove of Bush's handling of the issue, and 35% are uneasy about his approach.

BUSH'S HANDLING OF SOCIAL SECURITY

Confident 27%

Uneasy 66