The findings on job approval in the Times survey were virtually identical to the results in two other polls released Thursday. A poll by Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., found 36% approved and 58% disapproved of the president's performance; in a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, the numbers were 38% and 60%.
Earlier this week, in an interview with ABC News, Bush brushed off surveys that showed a drop in his standing. "I've been up in the polls and I've been down in the polls," Bush said. "You know, it's just part of life in the modern era."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday March 04, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 1 inches; 30 words Type of Material: Correction
Times/Bloomberg poll -- A graphic in Friday's Section A labeled some survey responses about George W. Bush's handling of various issues as "Other." The label should have been "Don't know."
In the Times poll, majorities disapproved of Bush's performance in dealing with each of four issues measured: the economy, the federal budget deficit, Iraq and terrorism.
Amid searing sectarian violence in Iraq, 34% said they approved of Bush's handling of the conflict, down from 41% last month. The new results are by far the lowest ratings on the war recorded for Bush in a Times poll.
On the economy, 37% approved of Bush's performance, whereas 60% disapproved. On the federal budget deficit, the figures were 24% approval and 67% disapproval. Also, just 19% said the economy was better off because of Bush's policies, whereas 52% said his ideas had hurt the economy.
Perhaps most strikingly, 44% said they approved of Bush's handling of terrorism, whereas 54% disapproved -- the first time a majority has expressed a negative opinion of his handling of that issue in a Times survey.
One explanation for the results may be the public resistance to the deal under which Dubai Ports World, based in the United Arab Emirates, would assume control of port operations in six U.S. cities from the London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.
The administration authorized the deal in January. After the widespread assault on that decision, Bush agreed to the additional review now underway, which the Dubai company requested. Officials are examining more closely whether the takeover would lessen port security.
In the new poll, more than three-fifths of those who oppose the deal gave Bush poor grades for his performance on terrorism; conversely, more than three-fourths of those who favor the transaction approved of his handling of the terrorist threat.
The Dubai deal faced opposition from virtually every broad segment of Americans. Overall, just 17% of those surveyed said they supported the agreement, whereas 58% opposed it; the rest said they did not know enough to express an opinion.
