In Their Own Words: Why Americans Approve or Disapprove of Bush

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows that exactly 532 Americans out of the 1,014 interviewed between June 28 and July 1 said they approved of the job George W. Bush is doing as president, while 345 said they disapproved. The survey asked these respondents to explain their response in their own words, which were recorded and entered into the computer by the interviewer. Every one of the 877 ensuing answers are listed below, first for those who approved, and then for those who disapproved. (Gallup analysts also coded these answers into categories, and the broad pattern of responses is discussed in today's main story.)

Why do you approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president? [Open-ended]

(Laughs) I just like the way that he does his job

A person is gonna do what he wants -- he's been doing good -- haven't heard anything bad about him

A real guy a real person

Acting like a CEO

After Clinton, I don't care what he does. It's much better

Agree with attitude & his policies

Aiming towards fulfilling campaign pledge promises and trying to compromise with Democratic congress, trying to exert the world leadership

A lot better then the clown we had in there before, eight years of him was too much

Am a Republican

Anything had to be better than what we had before because I work in tobacco and they aren't suing tobacco companies anymore

As good as anything one else

At least he isn't having sex with anybody

Because he has done a lot on being bipartisan and is trying to get through things that he said he was going to do and I'm very conservative, so, I would probably think that anyway --I was ready for a man with any kind of integrity

Because he is trying to straighten out a lot of liberal ideas that have gotten this country in trouble and get it back to less government control and get back to family things that are more important than government

Because he seems to be doing a good job so far

Because he's doing a good job

Because he's handling things -- problems of the country the right way

Because I believe he's providing leadership, restoring morality in the presidency and setting an appropriate agenda for the country

Because I don't disapprove

Because I think he's a Christian with Christian agendas, not the way Clinton ran it -- backwards. He has concrete upbringing, high morals...

Because I voted for him and I think he's doing a wonderful job, even though it's rough for him due to all the problems Clinton left

Because so far I don't see any problems

Basically doing the things I think needed to be taken care of and I think he is doing g a good job

Basically he seems to be walking the tight rope

Basically I think it was better than the alternative, less harmful

Basically is decisive & consistent in his decisions

Because he's caring for the big business

Because he delegates his stuff

Because he hasn't been there long enough to be criticized

Because he hasn't really done anything wrong yet

Because he is being more practical than most presidents

Because he is doing a good job for the country and he is middle of the road and he cares about the people of the United States

Because he is doing a good job just like Clinton was

Because he is like any other politician and he is doing the best he can with the support he has

Because he is trying and I think he is handling the Middle East

Because he uses good common sense and morals

Because he's a Christian lined up with the word of God. I'm a Christian and I believe God has called him in to be our president

Because he's from Texas & so am I

Because he's low key

Because he's very competent

Because I believe in his basic philosophy

Because I just think -- I don't know

Because I like what he stands for

Because I think he brings some fiscal responsibility to the job

Because I think he has the right idea. I think he has good plans ahead as a republic

Because I think he is doing an excellent job and I think he is honest

Because I think he's doing a professionalism and honesty

Because I think he's doing what he said he would do and he's not letting the media or the Democrats influence his decisions

Because I think that everything that he said he was going to do from the tax cuts and stand -- everything he said he was going to do in office

Because I trust him more than Bill Clinton and I'm willing to give him a chance. He's doing good so far

Because I am Republican and from Texas and he is from Texas| and he can do no wrong

Because I'm getting some taxes back next month

Because I'm in favor of his policies

Because she thinks that he is going to be better

Because that's who she voted for

Because there is no major changes in my life

Because he is doing a good job -- I like his choices

Better morals better goals

Better than Clinton

Better than the one before

Bringing discipline back into government

Bringing respectability to the White House

Brought morality back to the presidency

Can't see anyone doing a better job

Carrying the whole world. Heavy load

Cause he understands what he's doing -- he understands the economy

Cause he's not a damned Democrat, and he's honest

Cause I hate the Democrats

Cause we are not in war yet

Character

Conducting his business in a very professional manner

Conservative

Considers what he's doing

I don't disapprove

Dealing with the issues at hand and fulfilling his promises

Dignity in the White House

Diplomatic and business-like

Direction is better than what it was in previous administration, the way he addressed the Microsoft situation, getting us out of the Kyoto protocol agreement, tax cut

Don't know

Does a good job

Does his job, that he gets paid to do

Doing a good job, no negatives

Doing best he can with tools he has

Doing the best he can, goes along with views

Doing the best with he's got

Doing what he said he would do

Doing what he said is doing

Done nothing that I disapprove of

Done what he said

Don't think he screwed up anything so far

Economy not doing as bad, foreign policy not that bad, on oil he is doing what his friends say

Ethics and morally sound, and I appreciate his Christian stand on issues

Everything

Everything is fine

Everything is more or less status quo since Clinton left

Everything seems like it's going perfectly good. Gas has gone down

Far as I can see everything is okay

First of all, the tax cuts. I thought that this was really good. He is trying to make is easier for Americans to live

Focus on tax cuts

For the tax break

Foreign policy procedure is more upfront and powerful

Foreign affairs

Forthright and direct

Getting a lot of flack for not winning the popular vote

Getting broken in; being diplomatic; everyone had to learn when they first get in

Give him a chance

Give the man a chance

Given the economic down turn, a lot to deal with

Good people behind him and that has a lot to do with it

Good personality

Good representative of country

Good way he is doing things, address problems are good, like his wife

Got Congress to pass tax cut, and believe his energy policy is correct, not to blame for California's problems

Got good ethics-morals and doing best with job

Got right idea, he's very common sense

Had a lot of opposition and he's doing a good job

Has not done much, nothing to disapprove of yet

Has the country at heart and every one of his policies seem to affect me

Hasn't been in there long enough

Hasn't done anything that has affected me

Hasn't done anything wrong yet

Hasn't had a chance to do much

Haven't heard any negative things -- haven't paid much attention

Haven't seen anything negative

He has good command on the issues of today -- he ran on what he would do and he has done what he said he would do

He appears to be delegating authority to the proper people instead of micro-managing everyone

He basically agrees with the majority of his policies

He deals with the matters at hand

He delegates his job very well

He does a lot of good things and a lot of stuff he doesn't

He doing it better

He does a good job doing what he has promised

He going to do more pushing than he has

He got left a lot of garbage and he's pulled it out pretty good

He had a job to do and he hit the floor running

He had a pretty tough role to fill

He had his father as the president and he has someone to give him advice

He has a lot of highly experienced people around him and I like the tax rebate

He has a lot to learn

He has a lot of experts helping him do his job well

He has an open mind to learn on the job

He has good backing from his staff

He has good morals and cares

He has honor, he has a good staff that knows what they are doing, and he believes America should be strong

He has lowered the gas prices

He has not been doing anything wrong

He has not done nothing too terrible

He has not made any mistakes yet

He has the same ideals I do, I voted for him and I guess I don't agree with everything he does, but he has to discuss everything with Congress and account for things of the past -- I'm sure he is not making rash decisions

He hasn't been in long enough not to approve

He hasn't been in long enough to do wrong

He hasn't done any worse than Clinton

He hasn't done anything bad yet

He hasn't done anything drastically wrong in my eyes yet, he hasn't taken away my guns yet

He hasn't done anything I don't agree with, he's supporting the national missile defense, which I am a part of, and I haven't seen anything he could have handled better

He hasn't done too much so far

He hasn't had any scandals like Clinton had

He hasn't had intern under desk

He hasn't done any thing I disagree with yet

He is a very positive president

He is about as good as anybody else

He is being effective with his direct approach

He is being honest and doing the things he said he would do

He is conservative and I like some of his ideas of small government, less taxes, and economic freedom

He is doing a better job than President Clinton

He is doing a good job

He is doing a tax cut for Americans to spend more money to get the economy rolling better

He is doing everything that he said that he would do

He is doing a good job

He is doing it in a good way

He is doing the best he can

He is doing the best that he can do

He is doing what he said he would do

He is getting the country going in the right direction and I like his energy policies and I like his tax cuts

He is honest and not adulterer

He is honest and straight-forward

He is honest in what he says he is going to do

He is in line with my interests

He is intelligent and does a good job

He is keeping his dignity and does not talk in circles

He is living up to the promises he had made -- he's moving quickly and he's proactive

He is making efforts to do things

He is not in the news about issues he shouldn't be in the news about, as compared to the last president

He is not scandalous

He is trying

He is really trying hard and the liberals are hindering him

He is starting to get things done and getting promotions for military

He is straight-forward

He is taking a positive position regards with the environment and with economy

He is the person I prefe they way to run this country

He is trying to do everything he says

He knows what he's doing

He not the best but he is not the worst

He quite gracious and willing to take a challenge

He seems to be coming through with his campaign promises

He seems to be doing a good job

He seems to be doing it in a professional way, straight-forward

He seems to be handling it all right

He seems to be leaning more toward the average person

He seems to have a sincere desire to do something for the benefit of all of us in America

He seems to know what he is doing

He seems to know what he's doing and doing it honestly

He Southern President, and I won't back no lying Yankee president

He stepped into a pretty tough situation, then his party fouled up and did not give him a majority in the Senate

He was concerned for the country and its people

He weighs every issue out

He, in my opinion, seems to be leading the country openly and with integrity and I'm comfortable with his choice of advisors, they're doing a good job

He's a conservative

He's a good Christian person and follows good Christian principals

He's actually getting in there and working and not playing

He's an honest person and he's handling it in a dignified manner and the tax relief proves that he has the concern of the people rather than the politician, and I was very proud of the way he handled himself overseas on his recent trip

He's being decisive

He's cleaning up the mess from the previous administration

He's conservative

He's doing a good job with taxes. I agree with his conservative agenda and his moral code. He's an honest-open type of person

He's doing an okay job

He's doing as well as any of the others we have had and in four years -- well do it again they all tell lies, so what the hell is the difference

He's doing his own thing irregardless of pressure from either party

He's doing nothing wrong yet

He's doing what he needs to do. I think he's collecting crap that Clinton left behind

He's done things in a logical, businesslike manner

He's experienced, so far he's doing a good job

He's fighting people who are against God -- and I'm praying for him everything and that God will allow him to do what is right

He's following the foot tracks of his father and he's a military man

He's genuine

He's going about his business

He's got the right kind of morals and he got the tax cut for us and he's working on some other things -- he's a man of his word

He's helping us with taxes

He's honest

He's just been firm and clear-cut on what he says he's going to do

He's just doing a good job

He's just doing a lot better job than Clinton did, mainly taxes

He's keeping pretty busy -- getting good press

He's looking out for schools and education

He's made some strides both here and abroad, economy is poor and i don't think it's an indictment on his administration

He's not making mistakes (obvious ones, anyway)

He's pretty sharp

He's proceeding with caution, he seems to be rather detailed in what he wants to do and he has direction

He's showing quite a bit of skill

He's stepping forward and trying to do the best he can

He's taking care of the things that need to be taken care of

He's taking over international affairs in a very fine way, handling domestic affairs a fine way

He's the type of president that knows where he wants to go and he's not going to let anything sidetrack him

He's trying to do what he said he was going to do

He's trying to get to important issues, and even though not a quick answer like the Mid East, I still feel he is making an effort and is aware of these things

He's trying to help the people with taxes and things like that

He's trying to reach everybody and get Democrat's plans through with a little of his own plans with it

He's trying very hard to do things for I guess the elderly people and also the single working people with children who they need to raise and educate, and I also think that he's trying to do some things with the foreign countries

He's very competent and authorities and seems to be handling the pressure very well

He's very contentious -- moral, nobody's always going to be in tune with what I think should be done. He's an upright person

His conservative approach

His demeanor. I approve of his ability to reach out. I approve of his overall stand on positions

His foreign policy, they are taking a hard stand

His job is to work as best as he can

His lack of experience -- he is keeping his word

His policies are better than in the past. Trying to get things done

His tax cut and he's more low key

Honest man and no hanky panky, and I'm Republican

Honesty

I think he is doing a good job

I think he is honest and I like what he has to say and I like that he is pro-military and he is trying to get military wages where they should be

I agree with most of the issues. I voted for him and he's sticking to his issues

I agree with some of the things he is doing

I agree with what he is doing

I am a gung-ho conservative Republican, and I am glad Clinton is out of there

I am gonna get more money for the bill

I am not horribly offended by some of the things he has done, the tax rebate and education I don't think he has done such a great job with China and also his environmental policy

I am Republican and I voted for him and I just like his tax policy

I am still waiting to see what else he does. I voted for the man, I liked what he stood for when he was running for office

I am used to the way he handled things in Texas and I am a Texan and I see nothing to disapprove at this time

I approve because I believe he is looking at each issue with a reasoned approach

I approve of his military policy. I support his strong stand on the military. My husband is in the military

I approve of it because I like some of his economic policies, although I do disapprove of the political foreign policy he is trying to implement

I believe in his polices

I believe in the same morals that he has

I can understand him...philosophically

I can't really say. That's something I don't worry too much about

I compare him to Clinton, they say Clinton was doing a good job but even though I voted for him too

I did not like the president we had before, he was a fake he was a womanizer, I don't go for those type of people

I didn't like Clinton; I just believe Bush has started off on the right foot

I didn't like the way Bill Clinton handled it and I think he's just doing a better job overall

I don't know

I don't see any kind of problems coming up -- nothing personal only business -- only hear about the state of country

I don't see any major problems

I don't think he has done anything that has made me disapprove

I feel he is trying to put America's interests first, nationally & internationally

I feel he's trying to do his best and I support the Republicans

I feel like he's a good Christian on his views on abortion and everything

I feel we finally have a president with integrity

I guess he hasn't really been in office long enough to really tell yet

I haven't heard anything bad

I haven't heard too many problems going on

I haven't seen any bad reasons -- he is doing the best he can

I just have a feeling for it

I just have not heard anything bad

I just like the way he handled the China crisis

I just the way that he is looking at the issues, he is from moral standpoint

I just think he is a real gentleman and honest

I just think he's a very settled, very laid back person, and he tried to do what's best

I just think that he's doing an okay job

I just think he is

I like him

I like him and I'm a Republican

I like him as a person and he has Christian ideals

I like his conservative approach to things

I like his conservative nature

I like his foreign policy and his stand on abortion. I think he is honest

I like his honesty and being above-board and saying what he thinks

I like most of his policies, not all

I like the fact that he sticks to his campaign promise and is a man principle, and I like that

I like the tax cut bill and health reform

I like the tax cut, I like that they are trying to give money back so I can invest it instead of giving it to the Democrats

I like the tax cut. I like his efforts in starting to get the peace in the Middle East

I like the tax refund

I like the things he is doing with the military and Social Security and rebate check that we are all going to get

I like the way he's doing things

I really can't give you an opinion of why

I think he is doing a good job

I think he's a hands-on guy, I think he is moving everything in the right direction, I think everything was set to collapse when he got in, I approve

I think he does a good job and also with China and Europe

I think he does it with a level head

I think he handled the thing with China well, and pretty much everything else he has no control. Like the economy, he has no control over that

I think he has brought integrity to the office, I like the way he runs his meetings on time

I think he has done a fair job for the American people

I think he has done exactly what he said he would do

I think he has got good judgment, put together a good team of advisors and makes good decisions

I think he is a good man

I think he is being more honest instead of just saying what the polls show and reacting to them -- he says what he thinks even if it's not popular

I think he is doing a fine job

I think he is doing a good job

I think he is doing a good job

I think he is doing a good job

I think he is doing all right, there is nothing going on like Clinton and I appreciate that

I think he is doing an adequate job, nothing spectacular

I think he is doing his best and he is getting a lot of bad publicity

I think he is doing the best he can

I think he is doing the best that he can

I think he is doing what is morally right

I think he is going to put the country on a different plane

I think he is handling the issues and does not dodge the issues and has surrounded himself with winners

I think he is handling the job responsibly and a good communicator

I think he is innovative, very modern in his concepts and approaches

I think he is making good decisions

I think he is positive and think he has studied and not just saying let's do this

I think he is progressive and he is what we need

I think he is sincere in what he wants to do

I think he is standing firm on issues on things for the country, very firm on what he believes is good for the country, environmentalists are telling him where to drill, but he isn't influenced by them

I think he is taking a realistic approach to government and focusing on what we need

I think he is taking it by the view of the people and doing a good job at meeting the people's needs

I think he is trying to be fair

I think he is trying to bring the parties together

I think he is trying to govern all of us, he has had some experience and he is trying to steer us in the best way in the economy

I think he is using his head

I think he knows what he is doing, he is not rushing to judgment

I think he seems to be handling things fairly. Haven't heard anything bad

I think he stands for the American people

I think he's better than the last one that was in there

I think he's decisive. I think he's fair-minded. He seems like he's willing to weigh different options before making a decision. He doesn't hold strictly to his party line

I think he's doing a good job

I think he's doing the best he can with what he's got to work with

I think he's doing the job he's put out to do

I think he's got good support and he is taking on important issues

I think he's honest and tries to keep his promise, that's why we elected him

I think he's running things by issues, not polling data, not kowtowing to the Democrats or the media

I think he's trying very hard to walk middle of the road and please people. If I had to choose, I'd give him the benefit of the doubt

I think he's using good judgment, getting good advice

I think he's doing a better job than Clinton

I think his handling of the economy is very good

I think that he has interest in the United States and in the country. He spends more of his energy toward the U.S. instead of foreign countries. And I also appreciate his stand on gun control

I think that the economy is still doing okay and we are not at war

I think you can believe him

I turn on the TV and there are not scandals every night

I voted for him -- from what I've seen, he is doing okay

I'm a conservative

I'm a conservative -- the bills that they are in the process of passing I'm for

I'm a Republican

I'm finally seeing what can happen if you don't have the deceit of the Clinton administration

I'm going to get tax rebate and I think he's turned the country around and restored respect

Integrity

Integrity and honesty

Interested in education, tax breaks for working people

Issues not taken care of before he did

It does not really matter how he does it

It hasn't really done me wrong

It was a tough situation with his tax cuts, he is doing good

It's a big improvement

It's a heck of a job and he's trying

It's just that people look for things to go against him

It's personality more than anything else -- seems to be getting a lot of programs going vs. Clinton

I don't see anything wrong with it

Just agreed with the decisions he's made on the major issues that have come up

Just do

Just doing a good job and with the tax cut

Just doing a great job and came with the limits of Congress is lying him to do

Just getting started to face problems

Just like him

Just, uh, from the way I've heard him talk in the past it seems like he's honest and will do the best

Like him

Like him, I think he is honest

Like his views and like the way that he expresses himself

Like that way with foreign relations

Likes breakfast

Likes conservative point of view, hasn't messed up anything that was already working

Likes the ideas of tax cuts

Love his recent policies

Lower in taxes

Made a trip to foreign countries, interest rates have come down

Mainly because he has surrounded himself with a lot of people have respect like Colin Powell

Man of integrity

More conservative then the last president and more integrity

More down to earth

Much more improvement over last president

Nation not in too much decline

New and take over…Until he screws up

No other choice

No specific reason

No negatives

None

Not any part

Not given him enough time to do anything yet and he seems to be starting off well

Not much like last president, he has more dignity

Not too many problems going in

Nothing has been done not well yet

Nothing has come up that has been a major issue

Nothing really

Number 1, I like the way the tax cuts did, I thought the government was taking too much of our money, there shouldn't be that much of a surplus, I always thought the government was the worst run business, & being that they can afford to be because they just

On budget he's taking the money off the top people

On the whole he's done a good job, so far

Only because he's about two steps higher than Clinton

Other people do the figuring for him

Pleased with appointments he made

Providing leadership in the White House on economics and legislative issues

Puts honesty back into office

Registered Republican. I support the Republican platform and with a good job upholding it

Responding quickly

Right now you are talking to someone who is writing their thesis and going to school full time. So right now I am brain dead

Seems to be having integrity, sticking to his guns, sometimes he seems strong about things in the past, he was stronger than he is now about things

Seems to be more business-like, more in control and professional although don't always agree with his politics

Seems to have Christian faith

She feels that he is trying to bring unity into the government

She hasn't heard anything bad yet

She thinks, given some of the decisions he has made, overall he is doing what's best for the public's interests

She thinks he has America's best interest at hand

Shown good leadership qualities and isn't backing down to what he has said he's gonna do

So far he hasn't done anything outrageous that is stupid

So far I do not see he has done anything wrong

Sound decisions

Staying out of trouble/no major mistakes

Switch of power

Taking charge

Tax breaks

Tax cuts, sticking to campaign goals, being firm in policy with Democrats, delegating well, good people around him

Taxes cutting taxes

That he is doing what he said to was going to do

The country needed a change

The deals for the schools and the prescription stuff for the senior citizens

The economic system is still current

The energy sector, I believe he's helped reduce prices

The interest rates are dropping and rebates

The Monica Lewinsky isn't in the mix

The morals that he's brought back in

The refund I am going to get in the mail is positive

The way he is taking the issues head-on

There's a lot of different things -- it's a lot better than having Gore in there

Things are going on in an even keel

Things going smoothly, no major problems

Things seem to be going fine

Think he does a pretty good job

Think he's fair and honest and seems to be Christian

Think he's finally making some intelligent decisions for a president compared to past presidents

Think he's still trying to get in there and working for more foreign aspects the way he's working towards the tax cut

Thoughtful...well planned out according to a master plan and not the polls and understandable

To me, it's his religious preferences, the way he's trying to incorporate religion and he's family oriented, and showing good leadership abilities

Trust he's doing okay

Trying to follow through reducing taxes and improving education

Trying to open a lot of school, for stuff like that for kids and children

Um...I don't know...the way things are running, it's good so far

Uses prayers as guidance

Very honest

Very pleased with the people he has surrounded himself with

We do have to give him a chance and right now he is fine

We haven't been to war yet

We haven't gone to war, for one

Well, he got the prisoners back that they were holding

Well, I always did like him and I think he's doing a good job so far

Well, I don't get into politics so I don't know what to put down. Well so far so good

Well, I just tend to agree with most of the stuff he is doing

Well, I think he is doing what he said he was going to do, and I agree with his policies (reform)...and budget

Well, because he has a tough job on his hands with Congress and the Senate. He thinks that he would do a better job than the other presidents in the past. He believes he has the ability to bring these people together. He thinks that he could do the job

Well, he ain't doing much now

Well, he's a good man

Well, I like the way George Bush thinks; I like his policies, and his support for a strong military

Well, I share his values

Well, what else are we going to do?

We're not all dead yet

What I've heard on TV goes with what i believe

Why not?

You can trust him

You need more than one year to prove yourself

You think he's done a lot better the our former, and he's a more decent man

Why do you disapprove of the way Bush is handling his job as president? [Open-ended]

Actually, his cabinet is running the country more than the president is

All he cares about is money and helping wealthy people get wealthier and getting imperialist control of the workers

A lot of broken promises that he did not keep

As a Floridian I disagree with the way he's handling the entire energy situation. I totally disagree with his plan to drill off the Florida coast/it's a delicate area and should not be done

Because he's too ignorant

Because I am a Democrat

Because I don't agree with his policies and don't think he's qualified in any case

Because of his stand on the environment

Because opposed to environmental tax cuts

Basic criticisms are accurate, favors big business more than average person, he's a little slow

Because he is a moron, because his words are coming from somewhere, it doesn't sound like he is very intellectually smart

Because of the economy, I'm not happy with the way things going

Because Bush is a weenie

Because he is not doing anything for the people -- only for the rich, he can't come through with a 1.6 trillion tax cut

Because he's doing too much for special interests

Because I am more liberal than he is and he seems beholden to corporate interests and his refusal to set price caps on energy in California is unimpressive and he is just sitting back when he could be doing something

Because I do not like what he is doing with income taxes to the rich and not enough to the poor

Because I do not think he is old enough to know better

Because I do not think he knows what is going on and I do not think he is qualified for the job

Because I feel like the way he's representing our country is causing harm with other countries. They view him as a cowboy who thinks we can use our natural resources because we're Americans, and we think we are better than other countries

Because I feel war will start. He's not a good diplomat

Because I think he lied to the people. He is not doing what he promised to do. Of course I am a Democrat

Because I'm a liberal Democrat

Because I'm English so I cannot vote, but if I could I would vote Democrat

Because of his issues on the environment and his stand on the patient's bill of rights

Because he's Democrat

Because we already had his father in office and I'm getting too old

Because we wanted Gore to be president

Bought and paid for by religious right, not good for the country

Brainless twit

Canceled beneficial programs

Cause he is an idiot

Cause I did not vote for him

Cause I feel like he's gonna ruin Social Security for everyone, and I don't like the way he's doin' the job and everything -- I would prefer to have Reagan back in the office

Cause I had twelve of his father and I had another four years of his father's vice president under Reagan -- he know not what he do

Concerned about the ecology

Could do better

Democrat

Didn't believe in giving the money back to the people -- the surplus money from income tax, don't like the way he didn't greet the people, also shouldn't limit lawsuits on HMOs force people -- wasn't there for their arrival

Didn't expect him to better

Didn't vote for him

Didn't vote for him -- I don't like him

Do something about the energy crisis

Doesn't agree with some of his issues fundamentally

Doesn't have a clear focus or agenda for the country he ain't for the little guy

Doesn't know what he is doing

Doesn't make informed decisions, kind of a figurehead, vice president seems to be running

Doesn't seem presidential, never really liked him as a person, NRA, ease of getting guns

Doesn't seem to have ears

Don't agree with policies

Don't agree with most of his policies, and is not a competent leader

Don't agree with program

Don't agree with "star wars" or his plans for oil

Don't frankly don't feel he has any conception of having very little, not in touch with the average American

Don't know, just do

Don't like him

Don't like him as person

Don't like him, Democrat

Don't like his looks...looks like he sneering

Don't like some of his foreign affair decisions so far

Don't like the environment policy

Don't like the things that he does and the things he stands for or the things that his father stands for, either

Don't like the way he's handling things

Don't like views of environment

Don't think he has a concept of what it is like to be elderly, low income and middle income people

Don't think he is very qualified for the job he's been elected to

Don't think he really knows what's going on overseas

Don't think he should have been president, election was fair

Don't think he, too wishy-washy, not doing what said would do, too pompous

Don't think he's focusing on enough issues at this time, especially important ones such electricity

Don't think he's supposed to be the president, they cheated the Democratic party out of it, they didn't do it right, counting all the votes in Florida

Don't trust him

Don't trust him

Doesn't know what he's doing

Drive school bus

Economics and foreign policy

Economy going down

Economy took quite a dive, and I don't think we are doing much to try to re-strengthen that

Economy, tax cuts, stands on gay rights, no leadership

Environment

Environmental issues

Environment

Environment partly, just sorry other one wasn't elected

Environmental reasons, and think he could do more humanitarian things for people in U.S.

Environmental issues

Faith based initiative violates church and state

Following Clinton's trends

Foreign policy is wrong, views on alcohol and drugs since he was caught and his daughters were, too

Generally, I don't think he knows what he is doing/his oil interests are the things that bothered me

Get a feeling that he is not too friendly and more interested in oil

Got his own agenda, not doing the work of the people

Has not kept his word

Have no use for the man

He and his advisors seem to be bending towards the will of big business, especially energy companies

He didn't earn it in the first place, they bought the election for him

He does things his way, and then everybody disagrees, and then he gets up against the wall and changes his mind

He doesn't know what he is doing, he is really dumb, he can't give a speech, he can't figure out things for himself

He doesn't seem like he has an agenda

He doesn't seem very intelligent, he is doing a lot of things that Clinton was doing with the environment

He doesn't think things through and makes a lot of mistakes and speaks with out considering what he's talking about...policies in foreign affairs

He doesn't have the slightest idea what the hell he's doing

He doesn't know how

He focuses on helping people who don't need help

He gives the oil companies license to steal

He has gone back on his word too many times

He has no regard for environment or working people, and the tax rebate will not get most of the working people

He has not kept his promises

He hasn't done anything he had promised before being elected – especially in regard to abortion issue

He immediately reversed some stem cell transplant decision -- the federal funding for it -- the research when he took office

He is a moron

He is a union drilling in the gulf

He is an idiot -- his elderly policy sucks, he does not care about environment, I totally oppose faith based giving and social work

He is alienating foreign countries

He is arrogant

He is for big business

He is for the people that put him in office, like his dad -- he is a closet Democrat

He is not very good in environment. He wants to reduce forest policy protection. Tax cuts favor rich people of the country

He is not very open to new ideas, basically trying to maintain an old style way of life I don't adhere to

He is stupid -- I listen to him talk and he doesn't even know what he is saying, he stops mid-sentence

He isn't doing anything right

He isn't doing what he should be doing -- he could do better

He isn't qualified or capable

He just doesn't look like he can do the job

He keeps changing his mind, I don't know where he stands, I don't like his stance on the environment and foreign policy

He made it so the people who need disability Social Security can't get it

He owns oil fields, and he is a loser

He putting everything up sky high and that's not right

He represents the corporations

He's not helping people

He says one thing before the campaign and then fails to follow through

He seems like he's trying to impress people, trying to out-do Clinton, not doing a good job

He should not be drilling in federal lands

He take work away from me

He want to give federal money to the churches

He was not elected as president, stole the election

He's a hypocrite

He's a shyster

He's an idiot

He's an idiot

He's an idiot, he has no knowledge of anything, he should not even be president, the electoral college is an antiquated system, Gore got the popular vote

He's backed off on his campaign promises, I don't like his stand on abortion and his stand on Co2

He's giving these tax breaks trying to make us dump money into the economy

He's in over his head

He's kind of wishy-washy. He makes decisions and then does something else

He's leaning too far to the conservative side

He's much more conservative than he seemed during his campaign

He's not considering all the options in his decisions in energy and medical

He's not for unions

He's not handling himself as well as he should, he jumps the gun

He's screwing up all the core issues I hold dear

He's still in with the oil industry, and instead of going after alternative methods; he is with the oil industry and not pro-ecology

He's too conservative

He's too conservative

He's too socialist, too far to the left, caved in to the liberals, should kick them out of the way and get back to the constitution whole government. Needs to be put back in the box and returned to constitutional limitations

He's trying to get rid of unions

His alienation of foreign leaders and the impact it will have on the world global economy

His credibility isn't very good

His ecology program -- he's not interested in our natural resources or the air pollution

His environmental policies and judicial nominations and the Mexico City gag policy

His environmental stances on most of the issues

His interests don't match in the interests of the masses at all, more interested in business interests

His international policy on abortion, international relations

His issues are not her issues, doesn't address things that are important to the country and his agenda is not compatible with what needs to be done, his foreign relations are not good, not good at relating with other countries, he could get us into trouble

His positions, that he's taken so far, on the environment, on education and on the tax cut

His stance on environment and oil expansion

I actually just don't believe in his platform

I am not a Republican, I'm a Democrat

I believe that he shouldn't have been elected in the first place -- his credibility is shot from the beginning

I didn't know that much about him, as Texas Governor he decided to allow executions

I didn't like him from the beginning. He has that cocky attitude, it's got to be his way -- he thinks he is going to refund taxes, but he doesn't think about where the money is going to come from. Then he is going to turn around and raise taxes again. I just don't like him period

I disagree on policy

I disapprove of the way he gained the White House. The confidence of the country has dropped, and he doesn't know enough about international affairs

I disapprove of both parties

I do not -- his position on the environment

I do not like what's going on with the energy. I'm a Democrat. Hasn't done a whole lot of good yet

I don't agree with some of the bills they're passing. Should've waited on the taxes

I don't agree with most of his policies and philosophies

I don't agree with the faith based initiative, that shift in the government, anti-abortion stance, foreign policy

I don't approve of his energy policy -- so far I don't like the way he has handled China. He ran as an outsider, I think he has his own opinions and instead of representing the people of the U.S., he isn't listening to the people, he is going to do what he wants

I don't care anything about him

I don't care for Mr. Bush

I don't think he's looking out for regular Americans. I'm surprised

I don't have a clue what he's doing

I don't like him. I don't trust him

I don't like his foreign policy, domestic policy, & his environmental policies. I'm really annoyed of the proposed oil drilling that's supposed to go on off the coast of California

I don't like his policies on energy or the environment or foreign policy

I don't like his stand against abortion; I don't believe that the missile defense system is possible, I don't believe it will work, and I don't think that we should be threatening other people with it at this point; and I also believe that, whether he recognizes it or not, he is a Republican, he is for big business, he is for greed as opposed to community -- I recognize that self-interest is important to economic discipline, it does make things work better, I admit that -- but for instance, in healthcare, we are the richest country in the world and we don't have a healthcare system for everyone

I don't like his executions

I don't like the issues he stands for and he gives too much of a run around on straight-forward answers

I don't like the way he gives into the industries and doesn't care about the environment, and the people he has around him -- woman for environment should not be there, afraid every one is on interest's side, not look into the future, should not look for more oil

I don't like the way he's doing it

I don't think he ever grew up -- he doesn't think beyond anyone else's thoughts -- picks ideas from others -- when he thinks what might be important, then goes with their idea

I don't think he has the interest of the ordinary people at heart. Leans toward big business

I don't think he is a very bright man and basically having Cheney and 'papa' running the country

I don't think he is capable of speaking for the people of the country, not knowledgeable of the world

I don't think he is doing such a terrible job, but I don't agree with his basic political platform

I don't think he is handling anything the right way

I don't think he is strong in foreign policy, his stand on the death penalty

I don't think he knows what he's doing

I don't think he seems to have a good grasp of all the issues

I don't think he talks like an intelligent person

I don't think he understands what government is all about. He came from a business mentality and that's what he understands. He only listens to the people from that background. The economy is going right into the garbage pail

I don't think he was ever cut to be president in the first place

I don't think he's living up to the promises he made

I don't think that he has everybody's best interest

I don't think that he is astute about the tax cuts, and he is not of presidential timber

I don't trust him and I don't think he knows what he is doing

I feel he is shady, and he cannot talk for himself, and everybody is pulling his string

I feel he's out of touch with the average blue-collar worker

I feel like everything he is doing is against his campaign -- he is not doing what he said he would do

I j don't think he is being an effective leader

I just don't agree, first of all, with the tax cut, he could've used it more wisely, don't like his attitude, there is something about him

I just don't approve of George W. Bush

I just don't like his attitude in general

I just don't like him

I just don't like him at all, I don't like the way he does things

I just don't like the man

I just don't think he's got it

I just don't, I don't know, he just doesn't strike me as knowing what he's doing

I just feel that he is not very well equipped as individual to handle his job

I just think that he's not educated enough to handle the job, he's trying to stir up things

I live in California. He should be spreading out to help out to all the states, not just where he is from

I prefer the other system

I really believe the Republican party has the government all messed up right now

I think he got in underhanded

I think he is an idiot

I think he is arrogant and I don't like his foreign policy

I think he is incompetent and not too bright -- I don't like his policies on the environment and education

I think he is moving a little too fast and he has made a few decisions that I think even he questions

I think he is trying to show off

I think he lacks knowledge and said opinions and doesn't listen to everyone, I think he needs to listen before he is gung-ho for changing the world

I think he needs to do more for the mainland U.S. instead of foreign countries

I think he should step in on the 10 commandants they are taking out of the schools

I think he's doing a terrible job with the tax thing. I think it's awful that we don't pay down the debt or get prescription drugs for old people, I think it's horrible

I think he's relying too much on his father's policies and outside influences

I think his interests lie with a small group of people and not the many

I think that there is a lot of better things than what he is talking about. He could worry about the elderly more than what he is. He is only worrying about what is happening in his part of the country

I think the tax relief is not the answer

I was always a Democrat, I didn't think he was the right person for the job

I wish he could do a little better as far as helping older people concerning Medicare and healthcare

I would differ with him in terms of the medical act that was just passed, and also on education reform

I'd rather not say

I'm a Democrat

I'm a Democrat, I don't like the way he is handling things

I'm a strong Democrat and I just don't agree w/him

I'm more of a conservationist, more environment, less big business

Inexperience, thought we have torn up what we have done with China, inexperience with foreign affairs, and his ties to big business

Irresponsibility, and not keeping his word, politically ineffective, not a consensus builder, cannot grasp world issues

It seems like he's making his own decisions. It reminds me of how people like to shine, and they're not thinking

Its a vendetta against Clinton

Job layoffs

Just because I don't think he was qualified

Just because I didn't vote for him

Just don't hear many good things about him

Just don't like him

Just don't like the man

Just don't think he is very well versed in many subjects

Just like his father and don't like his father

Just things he does, like not letting the mechanics go on strike and stuff

Kind of mouthy

Lack of support for education and social programs

Made promises about environment that he is reneging on at this point, has not kept word, also said he was a moderate and in fact more right winged

Making funds available to religious organizations

Making some stupid mistakes; Mexican trucks coming into U.S., not helping the California power problem

Medicare. Wants to take prescription drugs out of program

More concerned about rich people, doesn't deal well with foreign country

More of a Democrat than a Republican

Most of reasons are environmental issues, some things need to be preserved

Mostly because of environmental issues like the Alaska wilderness

Mostly his policies -- I never liked him as a governor, only pleases big dollar people and Republicans

My own opinion is he don't know what he's doing yet

Never liked him to begin with

Never wanted him as president period

Not a good job

Not doing a good job

Not enough experience

Not enough time to evaluate performance

Not handling issues as he committed to do

Not helping elderly with Medicare and prescriptions

Not intelligent

Not moving fast enough

Not qualified

Not qualified for job and a Democrat

Not totally satisfied with the way he is leading our country in international affairs

Not very bright, in the pockets of the his company

Nothing on education, nothing on Social Security

One minute he goes for something and the next he changes his mind

Personally, I'm not into politics...I don't know much so I hate to give an opinion...I'm more Democratic

Policy of Medicare and all that

Running the country into debt, tends to like big business, does not understand the government

Seems that he does not give it much thought, his mind is already made up

Several reasons, I can't go into them, the tax issue for one thing

She does not like him

Some of his budget cuts and his environmental opinions

Some of his policies and decisions concerning environment

Some of the things he's doing I don't think are right

Sometimes he doesn't think through the problem and make appropriate comments. He doesn't think about everybody

Tax issues

The American people were deceived, something went wrong, he had good PR men

The economy

The economy isn't working well. He wants to drill up in Alaska and interest rates haven't gone down anymore

The environment issues

The fact that he is president

The handling of foreign policy

The incidents that have happened

I'm a construction worker and feel that Bush has hurt the labor movement

The Social Security - he wants to cut back?

The way every thing has fluctuated

The way he does his job, I just don't like it

The way he got the presidency

The whole thing in Europe, I think it didn't go over too well

There is the military stance. Don't know if I approve of his stance on education

There's just too many controversial things. Then environment issue for one

There's topics he should be taking care of, like Medicare for senior citizens, and he is more in favor of things for his own people, like gasoline

They're not allowing researchers to use stem cells

Things that interest me are the environment, just not happy with what he's doing. He's going to veto patient's bill of rights. I don't like them messing around with Social Security

Think he leans more to the conservatives. I'm not a conservative at all, and I don't like the way he's handling the environment

Think that he is anti-women's rights

Thinks he is masquerading as a moderate

Too big of a tax cut that will hurt in the future

Too conservative

Too conservative, not smart enough, bad foreign policy

Too conservative for my taste

Too corporate-oriented

Too much like his dad

Unemployment rate

Very little getting done

Waiting to see about the tax cut, just hope he's a good president

We had a good economy before he was elected and now it's all down hill. I grade him as a failure so far, he's going to have to show us something real soon

We should get rid of the problems in America first

Well, because he hasn't helped the schools at all

Well, he said everybody would get money back on taxes, and just a few are. Everyone was supposed to get 3 to 4 hundred dollars and not everyone will

Well, it varies

Well, primarily his energy and environment issue and his selection of people to head the different governmental departments

When he speaks he makes many mistakes, he very unintelligent

When you watch him he doesn't seem to know what he's doing

Wishy-washy. Says one thing and means another

Has good and bad ideas and the bad outweighs the good

Survey Methods

Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,014 national adults, aged 18+, conducted June 28-July 1, 2001. For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.