Bush ratings on Iraq and economy edge higher

President George Bush strengthened his job approval over the past month to 42% - his highest rating since August, an AP-Ipsos poll found.

Shifting into campaign mode to reverse his slide in public opinion polls, Bush boosted his support on his handling of Iraq and the economy.

“Now it’s not a one-sided debate,” said Republican pollster Ed Goeas, citing Bush’s recent speeches on the health of the economy and the high stakes in Iraq.

“On the two key issues, the war in Iraq and the economy, you have a message getting out there in a much more positive way.”

Bush improved his job approval rating from 37% in November to 42% now, but his standing with the public remains relatively low.

Bush spent much of the year lobbying the public on a Social Security pension plan that gained no traction, and he was put on the defensive in September and October after the slow government response to Hurricane Katrina.

Those factors combined with fuel hitting $3 a gallon left the president with the lowest public support of his presidency from September through November.

Now, gas prices have eased to more reasonable levels – just over $2 a gallon for regular unleaded – and the president has been barnstorming the country to tout a stronger economy and explain his Iraq strategy in a series of speeches.

Approval of Bush’s handling of the economy was up to 42% in December, from 37% last month, according to the poll of 1,002 adults taken between December 5 and 7 by Ipsos, an international polling firm. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points.

The poll found approval for Bush’s handling of Iraq was also up slightly, from 37% last month to 41% now.

“I think he’s doing what he has to do,” said Charl-Deane Almond, a Republican from Bishop, California.

“I appreciate him standing strong with all the pressure he’s under.”

On the Iraq front, the critical factor for Bush is regaining public faith on the war. Those who disapprove of Bush cite Iraq most often as the leading reason, AP-Ipsos polling earlier this fall found.