For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 10, 2004

The Siena New York Poll for May: Approval Ratings, President and Congress

Bush Approval Continues to Fall; New Low: 32%

Disapproval up 5 points to 62%

Highest Approval is for Handling the War on Terrorism (44%)

Lowest rating is for Handling the Situation in Iraq (30%)  

Congress’ Approval Down 2 Points to 30%; Disapproval Up a Point to 50%

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Loudonville, NY –  President Bush’s overall approval rating went down a point in May to 32% - a new low, according to the latest Siena New York Poll from the Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI). Congress’ approval rating went down 2 points to 30%.

The President’s approval rating fell among most demographic groups, most significantly among Independents and “other” parties – down 6 points to 26% - and outside New York City – down 5 points to 36%.  His approval increased only among New York City residents – up 2 points to 26%.  The President’s approval remained the same among lower income households (28%).

The President’s 32% overall approval rating is 19 points below his May 2003 approval of 51%, and 9 points below his 12-month approval rating average of 41%. The President’s approval remains highest among Republicans (68%) and lowest among Democrats (14%). His disapproval went up 5 points to 62% --30 points higher than his approval.

SRI asked three more presidential approval questions:

·         President Bush’s highest approval rating is for his handling of the war on terrorism, which remained at 44%

·         His approval for the handling of Iraq also remained unchanged at 30%

·         His approval went up 1 point for his handling of the economy –to 32%

            39% of New Yorkers say the economy is moving in the right direction, up 2 points from last month. 

Congress’ approval decreased among several Demographic groups.

·         Its most significant losses were among New Yorkers ages 55 and older, down 9 points to 19%; New York City Residents, down 5 points to 28%; Republicans, down 4 points to 38%; and Independents  and “other” parties, down 4 points to 25%.

·         Its highest approval remains among Republicans (38%); its lowest is among New Yorkers ages 55 and older (19%).

Congress’ 30% overall approval rating is 11 points below its May 2003 approval of 41% and 3 points below its 12-month average of 33%. Its disapproval went up 1 point to 50% --20 points higher than its approval.

“The President is at his lowest ebb, with only 32% overall approval,” notes Joe Caruso, Director of Polling for the Siena Research Institute. “On the issues, the President’s highest approval continues, for the second month, at 44% for his handling of the war on terror.  After that, it’s downhill, with his lowest approval  -30% - for his handling of Iraq.  At the same time, 39% of New Yorkers say the economy is moving in the right direction, the highest recorded since January, when it was 46%. Congress continued to drop in approval among most groups, including Republicans and older New Yorkers.”

This SRI survey was conducted during the month of May 2004 by random telephone calls to 620 New York State residents over the age of 18.  It has a margin of error of +3.9 percentage points. For more information or comments, please contact SRI Director of Polling Joe Caruso at 518-783-2901.  Survey Cross-tabulations and frequencies can be found at:  www.siena.edu/sri/surveys.asp.

The Siena New York Poll for May 2004:

Approval Ratings, President and Congress