Men were more likely to support the deal than women, and those with college degrees more likely than those without. But majorities of all four groups were against it.
Over three-fifths of those surveyed in the East, Midwest and South disapproved of the deal; it drew somewhat more backing in the West. But even in that region, it was opposed 45% to 26%.
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."
Democrats opposed the deal by almost 10 to 1, independents by nearly 4 to 1.
White House spokesman Trent Duffy acknowledged that the public concern about the transaction mattered to the administration. "That's why the [new review of the deal] is a healthy thing that is going to provide more information to the public and to lawmakers," Duffy said.
Especially troubling for the White House may be resistance to the deal among core Bush supporters.
A majority of Republican women and a slight plurality of GOP men said they were against the takeover; overall, Republicans opposed it, 49% to 29%.
Andrew Craft of Houston was among the Republicans satisfied with Bush's contention that the United Arab Emirates was a strong ally in the war on terrorism and that the Dubai company could be trusted with port operations.
"After looking more into it, I'm not as afraid anymore," said Craft, a financial analyst.
But Marie Matthews, a Republican in Charlotte, N.C., disagreed. "I don't think it's a good idea," said Matthews, a stay-at-home mother. "I think we should be able to retain control" of port management.
Politically, the poll's most troubling finding for Republicans may be the intensity gap evident on many questions.
GOP victories in the 2002 and 2004 elections derived largely from Bush's ability to generate a huge turnout of voters passionately committed to him. But in the new survey, Bush is generating much more ardor in opposition than in support. If that translates into a surge in turnout in November by his foes, Republicans could lose their control of Congress.
The poll found 43% strongly disapproved of Bush's performance, more than double the 19% who strongly approved.
Indeed, for the first time in a Times poll, the percentage of adults who strongly disapprove of Bush's job performance outstrips the share -- 38% -- who approve of his performance at all.
Guy Molyneux, who conducts polls for Democrats, said the disparities created the prospect that voters favoring his party could turn out in higher numbers than Republicans in the November election.
