Public confidence in Bush presidency plummets to new low, poll reveals

GEORGE W Bush has hit one of the bleakest points of his presidency with a poll showing public confidence in him plummeting to a new low.

More and more people, particularly Republicans, disapprove of the US president’s performance, question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism, according to an AP-Ipsos poll.

Meanwhile, Mr Bush said he was troubled by the political storm that forced the reversal of a deal allowing a company in Dubai to take over operations of six American ports, saying it sent a bad message to US allies in the Middle East.

Mr Bush said the US needs moderate allies in the Arab world, like the United Arab Emirates, to win the global war on terrorism.

He said he had been satisfied that security would be sound at the ports if the Dubai deal had taken effect.

However, the latest poll deepened the president’s political woes with nearly 70% of people saying the US is on the wrong track.

After a storm of protest in the Republican-controlled Congress, DP World announced on Thursday that it would transfer six US port operations to a US entity.

The moved spared Mr Bush from a veto showdown with Republican lawmakers in an election year.

Nearly four out of five Americans, including 70% of Republicans, believe civil war will break out in Iraq - the bloody hot spot upon which Mr Bush has staked his presidency. “Obviously, it’s the winter of our discontent,” said Republican congressman Tom Cole.

Republican Party leaders said GOP lawmakers are distancing themselves from Mr Bush on a range of issues - port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade.

Far fewer Americans consider Mr Bush likeable, honest, strong and dependable than they did just after his re-election campaign.