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John Daley ReportingPresident George W. Bush's poll numbers are eroding nationwide, but he's still plenty popular here in Utah, that's according to the latest Survey USA poll done exclusively for KSL-TV.
President Bush's popularity is holding steady here. He's more popular in Utah than any other state. The next closest is Idaho where 44 to 55% approve.
Survey USA polled 600 adults in each of the 50 states. In Utah the President gets high marks with 61% of those polled approving and 36% disapproving of the job he's doing. But those numbers are nearly the reverse of those nationwide.
38% of Americans today approve of the job Bush is doing as President, 59% of Americans disapprove. Perhaps the number one problem for Bush is his decision to take the nation to war in Iraq, a decision recent polls show most Americans view as a mistake.
A columnist for the Deseret Morning News, Lee Benson, wrote the other day, "this war is worse than Vietnam," though many Utahns we spoke with today are willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt.
Kate Jaramillo, American Fork Resident: "I voted for President Bush but I think there's a lot of controversy going on. But without being too informed I can't really make an opinion about it."
Scott Campbell, Taylorsville Resident: "He's doing what he needs to do at this point in time. Being over there is a necessary evil."
Josh Nell, Herriman Resident: "I would say he's doing pretty good, especially with all the stuff that's happened. He's handling it pretty well."
Lee Benson, Deseret Morning News Columnist: "I think as a people here in Utah, we tend to be really loyal and we have a difficult time not being obedient."
Bush's numbers in Utah have slipped quite a bit since the early days of the war. 17 days into the war a Survey USA poll found Utahns gave Bush high marks of 86%. So his numbers have fallen some here, but not nearly like they have nationwide.
