Bush loses ground on security issues

The Dubai Ports World controversy turned the tide, a GOP consultant said.
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON -- For the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, national security is no longer President Bush's trump card.
With violence grinding on in Iraq, a majority of Americans have been telling pollsters in recent weeks that they trust Democrats as much as or more than Bush or his Republican allies in Congress to protect the country, combat terrorism and run a sound foreign policy.
"The advantage the president has had on national security is either much smaller now or is perhaps gone," said pollster Scott Rasmussen. "What has been new in the last few months is a decline in support among the Republican base. Republicans are beginning to have doubts about the connection between Iraq and the larger war on terror. And they are less confident that we are doing well in the war on terror."
Bush's problems with Iraq and other national security issues have contributed mightily to the drop in his overall approval ratings, which have fallen into the low 30s.
Troubling issues
Influential GOP political consultants agree that the turmoil in Iraq is by far the main reason for Bush's drop-off on national security. Beyond Iraq, they cite the current immigration debate and Bush's decision in February to allow Dubai Ports World, a United Arab Emirates firm, to manage six U.S. ports.
"The Dubai Ports controversy was the tipping point," said Scott Reed, a prominent consultant who managed Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign. "In that one instant, the country became skeptical about Bush's commitment to protecting our country. It also allowed his opponents to get to the right of him on the security issue. He's been unable to regain the high ground."
Several analysts said a string of events has raised public doubts about the Bush administration's competence, starting with the government's response to Hurricane Katrina last summer.