Survey shows an increase in Bush's approval rating

By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Just like the war on terrorism, the war in Iraq is doing wonders for President Bush's popularity among Ohioans, according to a state poll.
The latest Ohio Poll, released Wednesday, shows Bush's overall job approval rating at 76 percent, an increase of 13 percentage points from the previous poll taken in February.
When asked why they approve of the president's performance, 31 percent mentioned the war in Iraq, by far the most frequent answer given. It was also the most frequent reason given by those who disapprove of Bush's job performance; mentioned by 9 percent of those polled.
This is only the second time Bush's job approval rating has increased in the Ohio Poll, sponsored by the University of Cincinnati, since he took office in January 2001.
The other time his job approval rating increased was in November 2001, the first poll taken after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. His popularity increased by 27 percentage points from the previous poll. The 87-percent job approval rating in that poll is the highest level Bush has achieved in the eight Ohio Polls taken on his popularity.
Looking back
Before the war in Iraq, Bush's popularity among Ohioans had steadily decreased; dropping to 63 percent in February, only 3 percentage points from his worst showing of 60 percent in February and July 2001.
Bush's job disapproval rating improved in the latest poll, dropping to 20 percent. Bush's job disapproval rating in February was 31 percent, his highest in the poll's history.
Those polled were also asked about how Bush handles foreign affairs, with 74 percent saying they approve of his job performance in that category, an increase of 13 percentage points.
Also, 82 percent of those polled said they approve of how Bush is handling the situation in Iraq; the first time that question has been asked in the Ohio Poll.
The poll questioned 840 Ohio adults by telephone April 11-25, with a 3.4-percent margin of error.