The Bush Era is over. The sooner politicians in both parties realize that, the better
for them — and the country.
Recent months, and especially the past two weeks, have brought home to a steadily growing majority of
Americans the truth that President Bush’s government doesn’t work. His policies are failing, his approach to leadership is detached and
self-indulgent, his way of politics has produced a divided, angry and dysfunctional public square. We dare not go on like
this. — E. J. Dionne Jr.
Bush’s Approval Rating Drops To New Low in Wake of Storm By
Michael A. Fletcher and Richard Morin
The bungled response to the hurricane has helped drag down Bush’s job-approval
rating, which now stands at 42 percent — the lowest of his presidency — in the Post-ABC poll and down three points since the
hurricane hit two weeks ago. Fifty-seven percent disapprove of Bush’s performance, a double-digit increase since January.
Even
some members of Bush’s own party appear to have lost faith in their leader: The president’s overall approval rating among Republicans
has declined from 91 percent in January to 78 percent in the latest poll.
Overall, half the country now characterizes Bush as a
“strong leader” — down 12 points since May of last year. And the proportion who say he can be “trusted in a crisis” likewise has
fallen from 60 percent to 49 percent now.
