National (US) Poll * June 1, 2006 * Bush Tops List As U.S. Voters - Quinnipiac University

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June 1, 2006 - Bush Tops List As U.S. Voters Name Worst President, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Reagan, Clinton Top List As Best In 61 Years

Strong Democratic sentiment pushes President George W. Bush to the top of the list when American voters pick the worst U.S. President in the last 61 years. Bush is named by 34 percent of voters, followed by Richard Nixon at 17 percent and Bill Clinton at 16 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. Leading the list for best President since 1945 is Ronald Reagan with 28 percent, and Clinton with 25 percent.
President Bush is ranked worst by 56 percent of Democrats, 35 percent of independent voters and 7 percent of Republicans, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Best ranking for Reagan comes from 56 percent of Republicans, 7 percent of Democrats and 25 percent of independent voters. Among American voters 18 - 29 years old, Clinton leads the "best" list with 40 percent.
Among young voters, 42 percent list Bush as worst. Clinton tops the "worst" list among white Protestants - 24 percent, and white evangelical Christians - 29 percent.
American voters disapprove 58 - 35 percent of the job Bush is doing, compared to 58 - 36 percent in a March 2 survey. Even voters in red states, where Bush's margin was more than 5 percent in 2004, disapprove 52 - 39 percent.
"Democrats just plain don't like President Bush. His father, the 41st President, was voted out of the White House after one term. Nixon quit under fire. But most Democrats think Bush 43 wins the worst-president race," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"Kennedy and Truman get big Democratic votes, especially among Baby Boomers (45 - 64 years old) and seniors (over 65), but recent memory counts," Carroll said. "Democrats say Clinton's the best and Republicans say he's the worst. Republicans don't think much of Jimmy Carter either. There's no contest for the GOP favorite: It's the Gipper."
"Bush's job-approval numbers remain in the cellar. But he might finally have hit bottom."
The main reasons cited by American voters who approve of Bush are that he is a strong leader who does what he thinks is right - 18 percent; and that he is doing a good job handling terrorism - 15 percent.
The main reason cited by voters who disapprove of Bush is the war in Iraq, listed by 43 percent.
A total of 38 percent of voters are "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" with the way things are going in the nation today, while 62 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied," matching the previous satisfaction low point from March 2.
In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 16 percent of voters say the war in Iraq is the most important problem facing the U.S. today, down from 23 percent in March. Another 12 percent list economic issues and 11 percent list immigration, the first time this issued has hit double digits in a national poll.
American voters say 56 - 39 percent that going to war in Iraq was the wrong thing to do.
The U.S. should remove all troops from Iraq, 29 percent of voters say, with 28 percent who want the U.S. to decrease the number of troops; 26 percent who want to maintain current troop levels and 11 percent who want to increase troop levels.
From May 23 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,534 registered voters nationwide. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and nationwide as a public service and for research.
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians Approve 35% 40% 30% 50% 34% 58% Disapprove 58 54 62 43 60 35 DK/NA 7 6 8 7 6 7 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple Approve 74% 8% 28% 39% 28% 34% Disapprove 17 88 63 52 65 61 DK/NA 10 4 9 9 6 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 1 Mar 2 Dec 6 Jul 27 May 25 Dec 11 Jun 1 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2001 2006 Approve 35 36 40 41 44 83 35 Disapprove 58 58 54 53 50 11 58 DK/NA 7 6 7 6 6 6 7
2. (If "approve" or "disapprove" Q1) What is the main reason you approve/disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President?
APPROVE BUSH Q1 DISAPPROVE BUSH Q1 Foreign policies/ Foreign policy 1 Strong US 1 Iraq/War 43 Good on terrorism/ Dishonest/Corrupt 10 Defending US 15 Lacks good Good job in Iraq/War 8 judgement/Comon sense 1 Honesty/Integrity/ Incompetent/Ineffective/ Straight forward 8 Ignorant 5 Strong Leader/Does Egomaniac 1 what he thinks is Policies - general/ right/Courageous 18 Everything 2 Does what he says 4 Economy 4 Good judgement/Good Deficit 1 decisions 2 Gas prices 2 Good character/ Immigration policies 4 Conviction/ Principles 1 Supports rich/Big Doing best he can in business 1 tough situation 3 Doesn't care about Agree with policies average people 5 - general 2 Republican/Political Economy 4 Philosophy 2 Immigration 1 Dislike everything 13 Religion/Christian 4 Other 6 Ethics/Morals 1 DK/NA or Refused 1 Republican/Political Philosophy 3 Like everything 7 Other 10 DK/NA or Refused 8
3. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians Very satisfied 6% 6% 5% 6% 5% 7% Smwht satisfied 32 33 30 40 30 43 Smwht dissatisfied 33 36 31 31 39 27 Very dissatisfied 29 24 33 23 26 21 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 - 2 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple Very satisfied 10% 2% 4% 7% 5% 6% Smwht satisfied 52 17 30 36 28 30 Smwht dissatisfied 28 35 37 31 37 31 Very dissatisfied 9 45 28 26 30 34 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 -
TREND: In general how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (* combined "very" and "smwhat" satisfied, also 38% on 3/2/2006)
Highest Lowest Sat Sat Jun 1 Mar 2 Dec 6 Mar 10 Feb 2 Dec 11 Jun 1 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2001 2006 * Very satisfied 6 5 6 8 10 21 6 Somewhat satisfied 32 33 33 37 37 47 32 Somewhat dissatisfied 33 30 29 28 25 19 33 Very dissatisfied 29 31 30 26 27 10 29 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 3 1
4. What do you think is the most important problem facing the country today?
Tot War/Iraq 16% Economy Total 12% Economy general 7 Unemployment/jobs 3 Cost of living 1 Business leaving/ Outsourcing 1 Immigration 11% Energy Total 8% Energy costs general 3 Gas prices 4 Oil prices 1 Terrorism Total 6% Terrorism general 4 Security/Safety 2 Politicians Total 5% Politicians/ Campaigns general 1 Political corruption 1 Bush administration 3 Healthcare/Costs/ Ins/HMO's 5% Education Total 4% Education general 3 Funding education 1 Ethics/Values/Morality Total 4% Lack of ethics/Morality 2 Family breakdown/ Family values 1 Lack of religion 1 Foreign Affairs Total 3% Foreign affairs/ policy general 2 Priorities s/b at home, not abroad 1 Budget deficits 2 Environment/Pollution 2 Class inequality 1 Crime/Violence 1 Hurricanes 1 Poverty/Homeless 1 Taxes general 1 Other 8 DK/NA 3
7. Thinking about the United States Presidents we have had since World War II – Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Senior, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, which one would you consider the best president?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians Harry Truman 7% 8% 6% 8% 13% 7% Dwight Eisenhower 5 5 5 6 3 8 John Kennedy 18 14 21 13 19 13 Lyndon Johnson 1 1 1 1 - 1 Richard Nixon 1 1 1 2 - 2 Gerald Ford 1 - 1 1 1 0 Jimmy Carter 5 4 5 4 6 4 Ronald Reagan 28 36 20 37 28 39 George Bush Senior 2 2 3 5 1 6 Bill Clinton 25 23 28 15 22 10 George W. Bush 3 2 5 5 1 6 DK/NA 4 4 4 4 4 4 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple Harry Truman 6% 7% 9% 8% 8% 7% Dwight Eisenhower 6 2 7 6 4 5 John Kennedy 8 26 17 16 21 16 Lyndon Johnson - 1 2 1 1 2 Richard Nixon 2 - 1 1 1 1 Gerald Ford - - 1 - - 1 Jimmy Carter 3 5 6 3 6 5 Ronald Reagan 56 7 25 31 24 27 George Bush Senior 5 - 2 3 2 2 Bill Clinton 2 48 22 23 27 25 George W. Bush 8 - 3 4 2 5 DK/NA 3 2 6 3 4 5 Age in years......... 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Harry Truman 3% 3% 7% 18% Dwight Eisenhower 3 4 6 7 John Kennedy 19 13 18 21 Lyndon Johnson 1 1 2 1 Richard Nixon - 1 1 1 Gerald Ford 1 - 1 - Jimmy Carter - 7 5 4 Ronald Reagan 16 34 31 23 George Bush Senior 3 2 1 4 Bill Clinton 40 27 22 15 George W. Bush 4 2 4 3 DK/NA 10 4 3 1
8. Which of these eleven presidents we have had since World War II would you consider the worst president - Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Senior, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians Harry Truman 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 2% Dwight Eisenhower - - - - - - John Kennedy 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lyndon Johnson 4 5 4 6 5 4 Richard Nixon 17 15 18 18 19 18 Gerald Ford 2 2 2 3 2 3 Jimmy Carter 13 18 8 17 15 18 Ronald Reagan 3 3 3 3 4 2 George Bush Senior 3 3 4 1 2 2 Bill Clinton 16 14 18 24 13 29 George W. Bush 34 33 35 21 35 15 DK/NA 5 4 6 5 4 5 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple Harry Truman 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 0% Dwight Eisenhower - - - 1 - - John Kennedy 2 - 1 1 1 - Lyndon Johnson 6 3 4 5 5 4 Richard Nixon 15 18 17 16 18 17 Gerald Ford 2 1 3 2 2 2 Jimmy Carter 28 2 12 14 14 10 Ronald Reagan - 6 3 2 5 4 George Bush Senior - 6 4 2 4 4 Bill Clinton 34 3 15 20 8 18 George W. Bush 7 56 35 30 38 35 DK/NA 4 4 6 5 5 5 Age in years......... 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ Harry Truman 2% 1% 1% 2% Dwight Eisenhower 1 - - - John Kennedy - 2 1 1 Lyndon Johnson 2 4 6 6 Richard Nixon 18 18 16 16 Gerald Ford - 3 3 1 Jimmy Carter 5 12 16 15 Ronald Reagan 3 3 3 4 George Bush Senior 6 4 1 2 Bill Clinton 12 18 16 16 George W. Bush 42 31 34 30 DK/NA 9 3 5 6
9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians Approve 35% 43% 28% 49% 35% 57% Disapprove 61 54 68 48 61 39 DK/NA 4 2 5 3 4 4 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple Approve 73% 8% 30% 40% 30% 35% Disapprove 23 89 66 57 68 60 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 5
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the situation with Iraq? (* Also 36% on 12/6/2005)
Highest Lowest Approve Approve Jun 1 Mar 2 Dec 6 Dec 14 May 26 Jul 24 Jun 1 2006 2006 2005 2004 2004 2003 2006 Approve 35 36 36 41 41 52 35 Disapprove 61 60 60 55 54 43 61 DK/NA 4 4 3 4 5 5 4
10. Do you think going to war with Iraq was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians Right thing 39% 44% 33% 52% 41% 61% Wrong thing 56 52 60 43 55 34 DK/NA 5 3 7 5 4 6 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple Right thing 76% 13% 35% 43% 33% 37% Wrong thing 18 83 61 51 61 59 DK/NA 6 4 5 6 6 4
TREND: Do you think going to war with Iraq was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?
Jun 1 Mar 2 Dec 6 Mar 10 Feb 2 Dec 16 May 26 2006 2006 2005 2005 2005 2004 2004 Right 39 40 41 42 44 42 50 Wrong 56 56 54 51 50 52 44 DK/NA 5 4 5 6 6 6 6
11. From what you have seen or heard about the situation in Iraq, what should the United States do? Should the U.S. -- A) increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, B) keep the same number of U.S. troops in Iraq as there are now, C) decrease the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, or D) remove all its troops from Iraq?
Wht Wht Wht Evangl/BrnAgain Tot Men Wom Prot Cath Christians A) Increase troops 11% 14% 9% 16% 10% 17% B) Keep same amount 26 33 20 32 27 38 C) Decrease troops 28 24 31 28 29 23 D) Remove all troops 29 23 34 19 28 17 DK/NA 6 6 6 6 5 6 Rep Dem Ind Red Blue Purple A) Increase troops 15% 8% 13% 12% 9% 13% B) Keep same amount 44 12 26 29 25 23 C) Decrease troops 26 30 28 27 28 29 D) Remove all troops 9 44 29 25 32 30 DK/NA 7 6 4 6 6 5