Bush's Approval Drops to 70%

June 7, 2002

President Bush's approval rating has dropped seven percentage points to 70%, according to a new Gallup poll. The four-day poll was taken mostly before Bush's televised homeland security address Thursday to the nation.

In that speech, Bush unveiled a plan to create a Cabinet department to oversee homeland security. The new department would be responsible for nabbing terrorists at U.S. borders, in airports and at ports, and assuring that clues about possible attacks don't slip through the cracks.

Bush's approval ratings have been declining steadily since February, when they were at 82%. His highest approval rating was 90%, shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Republicans had hoped to capitalize on Bush's high ratings in this year's congressional elections. Traditionally, the party in the White House loses seats in off-year elections.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/2002/06/07/bush-poll.htm