Is Iraq damaging President Bush's popularity?

President George W Bush has told the American people that he will ask Congress for $87bn to continue occupation and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although this figure would increase America's federal budget deficit by almost 20% for the coming year, Mr Bush claimed that the spending was necessary to continue the war on terror.

The president also appealed for international help to resolve Iraq's security problems, saying the United Nations had a "responsibility" to take on an expanded role in the country.

What did you think of President Bush's speech? Are voters more concerned with foreign policy or domestic issues? If there was an election now, would President Bush win?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

The US economy is turning around with excess inventory being spent for the first time in three years, so Bush is solid here. The terrorist confrontations remain uncertain and, frankly, cannot get much more adverse than today, so the outlook will improve. As one who has lost a brother to terrorists, my concern is for the countries who mourned with the US after 9-11 but who appear disengaged from the war on terrorism.
Mike Wiley, USA

Practically nothing that happens in Iraq is going to damage Bush's popularity. Only a bad economy will do that. Personally, I don't want to vote for Bush next time because I think someone else could handle domestic issues better. That said, I think national security interests are more important, and I'm not so sure I see any candidates who I would trust to handle the job. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Wes Jones, San Diego, CA USA

If there were an election right now, Bush would probably win Corrinne Merrick, USA

If there were an election right now, Bush would probably win. Although the Democrats are fielding a wide number of candidates, none has the star quality needed to win in a country so impressed by charisma. It's sad but true that the electorate is more impressed by personal charm and money than by a reality-based campaign. When one sees that a huge amount of people believe Saddam Hussein was directly involved in 9/11, one realizes that there will be very little analytical thought going into political decisions to be made by the voting populace - and Bush and his team know exactly how to manipulate this type of voter. Look for another threat to national security sometime between now and Election Day!
Corrinne Merrick, USA

The steady decline in Bush's ratings is a consequence of decisions taken by the administration on a number of issues( including Iraq & oil) and the progressive realisation by the American Public that America is not in the place it wants and historically merits to be. Hopefully, the element of mass fear will not be used in 2004 to manipulate the public into voting for him again & wisdom will prevail.
ec, USA

I think George W. Bush should pay more attention to domestic issues, for example HealthCare and helping the poverty stricken people of America. He has put so much money into this war with Iraq that nothing else seem to matter to him. Remember it was those in power all those years ago in America which put Saddam in control of Iraq in the first place. Why does history always repeat itself?
Joanne Edwards, UK

No, Bush is damaging Bush's popularity
Greg, UK

I support President Bush's work in Iraq to build a nation. The outcome of this effort will pay off years from now. Like your Leader Blair, Bush has taken a difficult stance on this matter which will cause him to lose political capital, but he does this in spite of that fact which makes him truly a sincere and decisive leader and visionary.
Andrew, United States Of America

This man has guts to do what needs to be done to make this country terror free Jan, USA

President Bush will win the next election. For the people who are not Americans, Bush inherited this whole mess so why is it his fault? This man has guts to do what needs to be done to make this country as well as other free loving countries terror free. When this is all done and over with Bush will go down as one of the greatest presidents ever! Its in the writing on the walls, so to speak. The majority of American people want this President to win the next election whether other countries like it or not. It is not your country but mine. I will be voting for President Bush in the next election!
Jan, USA

I don't care about Bush's popularity or whether Iraq becomes a democratic state. I've been out of work for over two years. The only jobs I can find at the age of 52 with 2 degrees and an MBA are in fast food restaurants paying minimum wage. My retirement fund was wiped out by the stock market bust. My car was repossessed last year and the mortgage on the home my wife and I worked 20 years to own was foreclosed. Both my daughters dropped out of college when tuition costs soared this year and attend part-time so they can earn money to help pay our debts. While my local taxes went up, government services were cut back. While soldiers are asked to sacrifice for their country, veteran benefits were eliminated. But that didn't stop politicians and school officials from giving themselves 20%+ pay raises.

I stand in line at food banks and the unemployment office with people who were once workers, managers, and executives for Fortune 500 companies. I'm tired of being lied to about WMD and useless Homeland Security alerts; listening to news that is censored, filtered, and slanted to influence the public like some Wall Street advertising campaign. I'm tired of being treated as a "revenue emitter" instead of a person. I'm fed up with meaningless polls that say the majority of American people support President Bush: nobody asked my opinion - or my unemployed neighbours.

And now Bush wants $87bn (or more) for the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan. That's about $400 for every man, woman, and child in the U.S. I am an angry average American who is no longer a member of the "silent" majority. As a taxpayer, and a voter, Mr. President, here's my answer - Bite me.
Chuck, Chicago, USA

Lets get something straight; The American deaths in Iraq, while tragic, are nowhere near Vietnam figures. In fact there have been just as many deaths attributed to West Nile Virus as there have been in Iraq. Give the man some time and a chance before you crucify him.
Sean, US

I believe that the decision to depose Sadaam was valid regardless of whether evidence of Iraq's WMD programs is ever found. For years Sadaam lied to the world about Iraq's arsenal. He was responsible for the deaths of millions as a result of the wars he initiated and murdered thousands of Iraqis. Placating Saddam would have lead to the same type consequences that placating Hitler did. The UN failed miserably in Srebrenica and Rwanda. It failed in Kosovo but the USA had enough integrity to do what was necessary to halt the genocide. The USA has made some terrible blunders, such as in Vietnam, but the action the USA to in both Afghanistan and Iraq were justified in the best interest of all humanity.
Ed Silha, USA

I am voting again for Bush. And contrary to popular opinion on this board I am very well informed in foreign affairs and domestic issues. I see him as becoming an outlet of battering with nothing more behind it than personal feelings. The Iraqis are better off and the average one will tell you that. Unfortunately the opinions and news that we so often hear in the media is the to the contrary because that makes a story. Stabilization will take time. It's a country starting from ground zero. We should quit attacking the man and support the country(Iraq). Bush in 2004!
Chip, USA/Italy

There would have to be a major loss of public confidence in Bush for him to lose the next election Alastair, Scotland

History shows that, in US presidential elections: 1) the incumbent has the advantage, 2) people vote against the incumbent rather than for the opposition. There would have to be a major loss of public confidence in Bush for him to lose the next election. Iraq could become a make or break issue if, in a year's time, young Americans are still being shipped back from Iraq in body bags on a daily basis and there is no end in sight for the occupation. However, the US electorate is so ill-informed it may take them a second mandate to realise GWB has dragged their country into another Vietnam.
Alastair, Scotland

It seems that Bush's popularity is finally sliding and there is precedence for why it is sliding. Let's go back to 1968 when President Johnson announced that he would not run for re-election. The reason was that he had become so unpopular that he didn't believe he had the slightest chance of winning. Why? It's because then, just like now, too many of our troops were overseas dying in a seemingly endless un-winnable war that was making less and less sense to the American public every day. If only Bush had the good sense that Johnson had back in '68.
Chris, USA

Bush has deceived the gullible American public into believing that war is the answer to all the nation's problems. He claims that America is "safer" because of his destruction and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. He claims that "security" must be gained by massively restricting civil liberties. He claims an "economic recovery" when in reality he is deficit-spending the government into bankruptcy. If Americans are ill-informed enough to vote for Bush, they deserve four more years of this madness.
Richard, Switzerland

Bush will win because most Americans understand that we have no other option but to transform Iraq into a stable, democratic nation come hell or high water. Howard Dean or any of the other Democratic candidates know that and they would be complete fools for executing a similar strategy. They also would be fools if they tried to roll back Bush's tax cuts, but I digress.
Sam, USA

Woe to you who say the Bush administration opened a Pandora's Box. Let's be clear, the real Pandora's box is to do nothing and let ruthless dictators go unchecked. What precedent would this set for world security? Is it not peculiar how ruthless states like Cuba, Iran, and North Korea have been acting so strangely since the invasion of Iraq. What do the dictators of these states fear?
Jonathon, USA

The short answer is yes, it's damaging his popularity. The polls even show that. The more interesting question will be whether or not it is enough to topple his presidency. I only hope that the American electorate is engaged enough to care. Jobs have been lost, our environment has come under a pre '70s mindset in Washington, there is fiscal red ink until you can't see straight and this government lied/shaded the truth/hyped certain things/focused on only certain elements etc. You pick your words, but they did not tell the truth about why we went to war. I am sick to death of hearing excuses from the Right. The American people deserve better and they should care more.
Phil Black, USA

Doesn't anyone remember Clinton's mantra 'it's the economy stupid'? The Bush presidency is in danger of a rocky ride at the polls because of the poor performance of the American economy, which hasn't been helped by over zealous tax cuts and the cost of the war on Iraq, now running into tens of billions of dollars. I'd like to see Bush pay an electoral price for his irresponsible and arrogant leadership, but that, of course, will require a convincing alternative from the Democrats which probably won't happen.
Paul, UK

Bush will win the next election easily, because the Democrats, liberals and lefties have no alternative candidates with any real ideas. Many Dems in congress are voting for Bush's proposal, and there doesn't seem to be any real leader of the Democratic party. A two party system, with one of them in turmoil and disunity...how do you think the election will turn out?
Sean, USA

The crisis in Iraq should shatter Bush's popular backing, but it hasn't. I attribute this primarily to the US public's unwillingness to become informed about foreign affairs; this was, after all, a pre-emptive war, which would imply some plan for an endgame, but it doesn't appear that way. My truest sympathies go to the Iraqi people, who for the second time in 12 years have been duped by the promise of a Bush to help their country.
Dan, Boston, USA

George W Bush and Tony Bair opened Pandora's Box in the Middle East, without the support of the United Nations and against the wishes of the international community. Now they are finding out that the consequences of their insane and criminal actions are too costly in lives and dollars, and they want to spread the burden among the international community. But why should the U.N. and the world's population be made to pay for their arrogance and abuse of power? Let the "coalition forces" reap what they sowed.
A.Cuschieri, Canada

If current trends continue Bush will have difficulty with his re-election Vincent, USA

Regarding Iraq, if current trends continue Bush will have difficulty with his re-election. Regarding the economy, most Americans remember that the economy was already headed into recession before Clinton left office. Believe it or not, most Americans did not think that rebuilding Iraq would be cheap, clean or easy. Also, most Americans understand that the economy has cyclical ups and downs with limited influence by the executive branch of government. If the situation in Iraq improves over the next twelve months along with the inevitable improvement in the economy, George Bush will be re-elected. This will be a big disappointment to most of Europe and the Middle East.
Vincent, USA

Iraq is not damaging Bush's popularity but Bush's popularity is damaging Iraq irretrievably. His inhuman manoeuvres has cost tens of thousands of lives. Yet the people of this country support him without even thinking about the lies that he told us. We are coming to accept aggression, violence, exploitation and imperialism as part of our daily views. Come on we need to think sanely and STOP him
Manna, US

I can't speak for Americans, but most Canadians detest the Bush Administration and its policies, so much so that our government risked the wrath of US economic retaliation by not participating in the US-led invasion of Iraq. Not that it would have made much difference, as the Bush Administration doesn't seem to be able to distinguish between friend or foe in any case.
Steve, Canada

No, of course not. Well, at least, that is to say, not with the American people. One would think that it would be the other way around though. The US is always being accused of being a "fast food culture" however, it seems it is the rest of the world who is lacking in patience. One would think that the older countries who have a longer history would have a better understanding that these things take time. However, that doesn't seem to be the case and the rest of the world is quick to call Iraq a failure when the work is only just beginning.
Blake, USA

I cannot comment about his popularity in US. But here in Asia, among the masses, the US has become less loved and this can be attributed to its leadership's arrogance and unilateral actions. People who preach democracy should follow it first (UN).
Manoj, India,Malaysia

If ever a US President was hyped, Dubya is the one Lars Backstrom, USA

His overall popularity does not particularly matter. The hard core of his supporters are the big corporations that gain from his tax cuts, US supremacists, and right-wing Christians that believe that Bill Clinton was the anti-Christ. To them he can do nothing wrong, and they will go out and vote for him whatever happens. Sadly to say, a large part of "middle America" also believes the media claims that he is "a popular wartime President". If ever a US President was hyped, Dubya is the one.
Lars Backstrom, USA

One of your readers plaudits Bush for his bold leadership in Iraq. A one-sided war from 32,000 feet against a sanctioned nation armed with yet to be discovered weapons is indeed bold. The sad thing is that given voter apathy it will need the mandate of only about 25% of the electorate to have another four years of unilateralist arrogance.
Nazre, Dhaka

No, Iraq will not damage his candidacy. In the previous election the Democrats were unwilling to raise easy issues such as Bush having gone AWOL from his military duties. I see no possible way that they could attack him on Iraq now. America, it seems, will have to commit even more egregious crimes against humanity before we finally look into the mirror and see the arrogant, imperial power that we have become.
Adam, USA

It's uncanny how closely the son follows the father in the Bush dynasty. Despite unprecedented popularity from his military triumph, Bush senior was unable to withstand discontent at home from a faltering economy and continued high deficit spending. Thus he lost his bid for re-election in 1992. George W. has fallen into the same trap with his inept handling of the domestic economy. This will be his downfall. While Americans want the best for Iraq, goodwill overseas doesn't pay the rent. The genuine terror of unemployment coupled with colossal federal debts are much more real than anything concocted by Donald Rumsfeld or John Ashcroft. Bush will loose the next election, even is there is a problem with vote counting, because he failed to learn from his father's fatal errors.
Ralph, USA

President Bush is not losing as much popularity as is being reported by your magazine. In fact, most polls indicate a steady flow of support toward him. His hard core feeling to stop terrorist is what keeps this support steady. People here are sick of what they are seeing, and they also realize that not 'all' politicians are interested in how 'we' feel. But, this president seems to be 'in tune' with what the majority of people want. Which is security! The Economy 'is' improving, and will continue to do so. All, in all, we are happy with his performance.
Vicki, USA

Unfortunately, America has been bought out by greedy, self-serving corporations. Our President is just one of the many like him. Further, American culture has created modern day slavery: get the work done, get it right for the fastest and least expensive way possible. Stockholders wealth is at stake. So, the American economy is awful now and you think they care? No - they ship jobs overseas to make them richer at the expense of those they haven't touched yet. Bush doesn't even care about the people of America, never mind the people of Iraq and the rest of the world.

America is a one party system as far as I'm concerned. You're either to the left or to the right or on the middle. This two party system has divided America. We need a fresh face, someone without a motivation of greed, selfishness and ignorance. We need General Wesley Clark in 2004 and hopefully he'll run and Bush will be gone. Clark is the only hope America has in establishing the right way in the White House.
Jim, Boston, Massachusetts USA

In my 50 years I do not remember the nation being as polarized politically as it is now. Those that support George Bush do so blindly accepting what they are told by the administration. Those that do not support Bush believe nothing the White House states as fact. As more and more of the administration's statements come under scrutiny and are exposed as lies, I would expect the supporters of the administration to back away from the people that tell the lies. Instead, I hear them say things like, "Well, at least he didn't lie under oath like Clinton." Their lack of reason is a source of exhausting frustration. As for me, I'd vote for Dick Cheney's poodle as long as it was running against this embarrassment we're required to call "president."
Stephen Allen, USA

I'm glad we have a president that is attentive to positive action regarding issues than bent on defending the daily attacks by political and media adversaries. I as a voter am concerned more about domestic issues but am glad we have a president that deals with both and as you can guess my vote would be for Bush.
Bob S, USA

As long as ignorance is bliss, Bush will have many happy followers Bob Rossi, Michigan, USA

The fact that he still remains popular is testament to the blind ignorance that permeates the US. In conversation with my conservative acquaintances, not one of them is even casually aware of events reported by media other than the FOX network or Rush Limbaugh. The sad truth is this nation is populated by mindless drones that are easily led by any demagogue that feeds their bigoted appetite. As long as ignorance is bliss, Bush will have many happy followers.
Bob Rossi, Michigan, USA

It is not the question of one man's popularity or future, it is the irreparable damage to the pride or glory of the US that matters. President Bush should have moved with the international community to fight this war on terrorism. It is not just his problem, it is a challenge to the entire peace-loving world. An individualistic approach to wage war on terrorism and thus defy the opinion of the world community has led to serious repercussions both abroad and at home. Today, President Bush finds himself in a very awkward situation just because he did not respect the views of other like-minded, friendly countries and even discarded the sanctity of the UN, a world body that is known to voice the concerns of the entire world. Even though his intentions may be clean and goal-oriented, but the approach has been fundamentally flawed right from the beginning.
Mahesh Chandra Somani, Finland

The Dollar is the engine of the US and the more of them America has to spend on Iraq, the less popular Bush will be at home. He's already the most unpopular US president around the world thanks to ho policies on Kyoto, ICC, Iraq etc. Maybe some day soon, Americans will wake up to the fact that export sales of US products and services will never recover from their record low until Bush is gone.
John Farmer, UK

While it is certainly regrettable that U.S. casualties continue to occur in Iraq, I think that President Bush made the right choice in going in there. I think that history has shown Saddam to have been a menace to the region (Saddam's use of chemical weapons against the Kurds and against the Iranians). He was running a totalitarian regime based on deception and secrecy, so it is highly unlikely that the UN weapons inspectors would find WMD. I do think, though, that President Bush needs to do more to show that the War on Terror is a global conflict, with many different theatres. That would do much to vindicate his actions in Iraq, as it would deflect criticism that the War on Terror is a political smokescreen.
Robert, U.S.A.

As an American citizen I find it odd that people consider Bush a popular President. In my view, he did not even win the election fair and square! I sure did not vote for him. The American media seems to have lost the trust and respect of the people while President Bush has amassed a terrible record as President and will go down in history as the President who put wasted precious American lives at risk and wasted billions of dollars on an unjust war.
Tetsuyo, USA

The arrogance of America will be their undoing in Iraq. While I have no love for Saddam and his band of cohorts, I believe the UN global effectiveness is consistently undermined by America's frequent go-it-alone attitude. I always pray for the American soldiers stationed in Iraq, who are there in fulfilment of their pledge to defend the ideals of the American people; but come to think of it, whose ideals are they defending in Iraq? The world's? The Iraqi people? The American people? or George Bush's?
Frederick Isaac Amoah, Ghana

Yes, the deteriorating situation in Iraq will have a negative effect on the President's popularity. If there is one thing the American people hate, it is a drawn out war situation with casualties and no end in sight. And there is no exit strategy on the horizon.
Louis, US

President Bush has a great strength lacking among European leaders - he says what he means. Often in leadership it is important to take decisions and if they are the right ones then even better. The invasion of Iraq was many contradicting things but it was bold. I hope that the American president is re-elected and allowed to pursue the construction of Iraqi democracy that he started. His detractors need to realise that not one of them had any alternative policy for getting rid of Saddam.
Tim Crowther, England

It looks like we're stuck in Iraq for the long haul; it will take a lot of money and manpower to rebuild Iraq. We still haven't found Saddam Hussein, or Osama Bin Laden; we don't know who sent the anthrax letters, and North Korea is trying to become a nuclear power. I don't think Bush would win an election now.
Cathleen, USA

We need a new forward thinking US administration Alan Porter, Ireland/Iraq

Bush is finished. We need a new forward thinking US administration. What we don't need is a cold war mentality that should have disappeared with the fall of the Soviet block. This is not war on terror but terror on the rest of the world. The US seems to think that it is ok to bully small countries.
Alan Porter, Ireland/Iraq

Our president is still popular with more than half the voting population and the snobbish Democrats are in self-destruct mode. He "WILL" regain the Oval office and it is widely believed that he will gain seats in both houses of Congress, reaffirming the mandate of the people. September eleventh was our awakening. No man is better suited to usher in the era of "Pax Americana".
Robert Alpy, USA

Does it matter? Every election for the past thirty years has been a choice between the lesser idiot. And the future looks grim. If you don't have money and aren't 'connected' it is near impossible to get anywhere near being elected. Tell me that is not a recipe for corruption!
Jorge, UK

If the president is truly interested in helping the Iraqi people (now that Saddam is gone), nothing should stand in the way of turning control of Iraq over to the UN. Or maybe, was this always simply about oil?
Jon Horner, USA

The guy cares only for the wealthy and the neocon ideology Shogg, USA

Much of what Bush supposedly "is" is a creation of his own well-funded and excellent propaganda machine as well as stunningly wimpy media. He's given himself and all his ultra wealthy buddies "raises" of anywhere from $20,000 (himself) to $80,000 or more (Cheney). If anyone likes Bush and is not wealthy they must be living in some never-never land. The guy cares only for the wealthy and the neocon ideology. Was he ever really that popular?
Shogg, USA

Ironically, the ongoing mess in Iraq may be helping his re-election chances by distracting public attention from the mammoth budget deficit and the potentially devastating long term effects of his economic policy. It has also conveniently distracted voters from the total failure to bring peace and security to Afghanistan.
Stuart W, UK

What popularity? Bush was elected by 47.87% with a voter turnout of 51%. That means that only 24.4% of the eligible voters wanted him to be the president. This makes him hardly a popular president to start with. Domestically he has ruined the budget, devastated social programs, and unemployment has become the highest for decades. Also worldwide he is seen as the greatest danger to peace. So what does he really have that could be damaged?
Naimul Karim, USA

If anything is to blame here for Bush's decrease in popularity it is the impatience of the American "drive-thru" culture Jason, USA

It took 6 years to stabilize Germany after WWII. It took 4 years to stabilize Japan. If anything is to blame here for Bush's decrease in popularity it is the impatience of the American "drive-thru" culture who is used to always getting what they want right now. Immediate results. The economy has been bad since Bush took office. He inherited a negative economic cycle. It is on it's way to rebounding. This will help his popularity. And if they find WMD's in Lebanon as they suspect they may have gone, his popularity will go through the roof.
Jason, USA

It is unfortunate that the world leader has decided to make an endless war his top priority. The war against terror is a lose / lose situation and its outcome is death and desperation from both sides. Mr Bush's popularity at home does not mean much if Americans will end up being cautioned or completely being refrained from travelling in most part of the world. This should be a free world. There is time for war and there is time for peace.
Cheikh Diop, Dakar, Senegal

Regardless of his popularity, we are much better off with Bush, than anything the Democratic party has thrown at us. The US was thrust into the middle of terrorism because Billy Clinton was more interested in his own personal affairs than those of the country he was hired to serve. And if Gore was president, we'd all be dead by now by countless more terror attacks on the US. Because of George Bush, our country has been spared by no more attacks.
RPS, USA

Is Iraq damaging President Bush's popularity? - I certainly hope so. Though why he would have been considered "popular" in the first place escapes me entirely. Here we have a country that called for impeachment of a President for his sexual peccadilloes - that had no bearing whatsoever on his ability to run the country - and stands back and watches while this ignorant and dangerous man runs the world into the ground?
W.Kamdin, USA

Because of his efforts, my family and I sleep better at night Bill, Virginia, USA

President Bush's leadership in foreign policy has nabbed thousands of terrorists in Afghanistan and other places, freed Iraq from a murderous regime, and has put the world on notice that the United States will not stand still when it is threatened. I am so proud to have George W. Bush as my president. Because of his efforts, my family and I sleep better at night knowing everything possible is being done to ensure their security. Kudos to President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld for doing such a great job defending our country. I doubt that Europeans can understand why we are so satisfied with a president that acts. Appeasement isn't in our culture.
Bill, Virginia, USA

I'm voting for President Bush in the next election. I'm willing to give him more than a few months to repair the damage of 40 years in Iraq. And I believe, as he seems to, that terrorism cannot be tolerated anywhere, in any form. Unlike many, I don't hold Mr. Bush to impossible, utopian standards. I realize that he's just a man and I believe that he's doing a far better job than any of his critics could do.
Shane, USA

I will never vote for that party again Nick, Tennessee

I was a life-long Republican prior to Mr Bush. Now, with his poor handling of the economy, foreign policy, and his illegal war in Iraq coupled with his failure to achieve much of anything outside of landing on an aircraft carrier, I will never vote that party again. And those of us TRULY thinking in the long term understand that destabilizing one of the strongest economies in the world along side of that of one of the major oil producing nations while undermining the UN and its mission of peace will, if allowed to continue, eventually create the downfall of this country I love so much.
Nick, US - Tennessee

Bush blundered into Iraq with the idea that the demise of Saddam would be a victory in the war against terror. This populist over-simplification would have worked had the exit been easy. But it's not and, day by day, as the penny drops that there has been no victory in the war against terror so, day by day, his popularity will decline.
Geoff Futter, England

The emotional ups and downs over the last two years of Bush's time in office are finally starting to take their toll. For most leaders, it takes only one major faux pas to bring the electorate to their senses, this man has a hockey-sock full. 9/11 placed most Americans in shock (understandably) and it looks like they are starting to think for themselves again. I sense a glimmer of hope for this world.
Ed, Canada

Most people had wished that the war would not last this long. Two main factors will lead to further rise in the unpopularity of President Bush: the continued causalities being suffered by US troops and Second Osama and Saddam still evading arrest. The only option remaining for Bush is to get the UN directly involved and in the control of the operations in Iraq. Voters are more concerned by the rising US causalities rather than inflation or unemployment; better alive without employment than being dead.
Arif Sayed, Dubai, UAE

I am afraid that although Bush's policies both economically and in Iraq have damaged this country, the American right wing (through talk radio and nightly cable news shows) has done a good job of scaring the living daylights of the American people about handing the reins to any democratic candidate however credible they are in terms of national security. Unfortunately, for the USA in particular and the world in general Bush's re-election is almost certain to result in economic conditions continuing to get worse - high budget deficits, high unemployment and corporate crooks getting away without being punished. Bush's stewardship of the economy has damaged investor confidence in an economic revival
Jack Naku, USA

Americans are beginning to suspect that the President's foreign policy is not working James Woodyatt, United States

Americans are beginning to suspect that the President's foreign policy is not working as well as they expected it would work. His popularity will fall as long as Americans continue to have reservations about the costs and risks associated with the direction the President is leading the nation. If the Global War On Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom were demonstrating the successes the President and his National Security Council were publicly promoting only a few months ago, then Americans would not have such reservations, and the President's popularity would not have fallen very much as a result.
James Woodyatt, United States

I am sure that many people around the world would love to see Bush replaced by a UN friendly President. I am also sure that most US liberals would love to see Bush replaced by someone who will repeal the tax cuts( and maybe even raise taxes). In the end however the majority of the US electorate will choose Bush's America first policies over the democrat's UN first/ taxing and spending policies. Bush's opponents world wide should get used to this guy because like it or not he's going to be here for a while.
Colin Keesee, USA

I think the fall in Bush's popularity has to do with American citizens finally getting over the fear caused by 9-11, and opening their eyes to the state of our nation. His administration has led the country away from the ideals that it was founded on. I always thought that the checks and balances of our government would compensate for a poor choice at the helm, and I have been astounded by what he has gotten away with! I can only imagine that the world would be in a better state if Gore had won.
Mark, Illinois, USA

No, irresponsible media coverage of Iraq is confusing the public about what is really happening over there. But that was the intention, was it not?
Wijnand van de Beek, Netherlands

History will prove that he is a great President Brian de Souza, Malaysia

I strongly support your President in his fight against terror around the world. He is a leader with guts. We have to fight them now and tomorrow will be safe for our children. Shame on you if you cannot see his vision for the future. He may not be popular today. History will prove that he is a great President.
Brian de Souza, Malaysia

President Bush is in a real dilemma. He's a courageous patriot who always wants to protect his country against future terrorist attacks, equally so, he's obliged to stay in Iraq to prove himself right since he overlooked the advice of his European counterparts. What a difficult situation the president finds himself engulfed by. The only way out is, leave the Iraqi people do their own things since they are now free and then attend to domestic issues in order to enhance more chance for re-election.
Donzo, Conakry, Guinea

What some perceive as support for Bush, is more, as it has been in this country, support for the troops. It is quite possible for voters to retain support for the troops in a current engagement, but reject the leadership that took those troops, someone's son, daughter, brother, sister into that situation, for which the basis is increasingly questionable.
Barry b, UK

President Bush is losing popularity because slowly but surely the public is becoming aware that the "war against terror" (Bush/Blair style including the indiscriminate bombing of 3rd world countries) can never be won. How do you know when it has been won? How do you know when every terrorist or potential terrorist has been killed? It would surely be better to rechannel the billions of military expenditure into massive aid programs to alleviate the causes of terrorism.
Brian Bailey, Switzerland

He's had to dig out of a ditch since he took office Mike Daly, USA

I find a lot of the responses extremely short sighted. When Bush took office, the economy was already bad due to the implosion of the dotcom era. Combine that with 9/11, none of which were Bush's fault. He's had to dig out of a ditch since he took office. Anyone who thinks the economy goes up or down due to who's in political office, clearly knows very little about how an economy works. For all those out there who are Anti-Bush-would you really want Al Gore calling the shots - now that's a real scary thought.
Mike Daly, USA

It is stunning how unimportant to US citizens the debate on international affaires is. It seems like the public opinion is manipulated by the private medias, and the figure of the president here is just one element of the marketing strategy to reinforce US's sense of power and selfish pride. From my perspective, I don't care what happens to the Bush administration, as long as it disappears for good. It will be a step towards world unity instead of war against who knows what's next.
François Dion, Canada

Why should anyone worry about President Bush's popularity? Is it worth more than the lives of the U.S. soldiers dying in Iraq on a daily basis or the many hundreds of innocent people killed in this misconceived adventure? To the rest of the world it does not matter whether it is Mr Bush or Mr Clinton or whoever might come next. It is the arrogance of the current breed of Americans leaders who believe that people's lives are worth less than the popularity of their Commander-in-Chief that should worry us all. Of course as more Americans realise this they will try to distance themselves from their President.
Cedric Dodin, Seychelles

He seems to use the war on terror to deflect domestic issues D. Burnham, UK

I'm not so sure it's so much the war on terror that is doing Bush a great deal of harm but more his lack of domestic control. He seems to use the war on terror to deflect domestic issues and his complete lack of looking to the future, like most presidents, is causing him more problems with the international community on issues such as the environment.
D. Burnham, UK

Frankly, as a US citizen, I am sick and tired of this "war on terror" business. It's nothing more than a mechanism that Bush uses to frighten civilians and make himself feel like a hero. Sadly, it's working.
Rebekah Devino, Maine, United States

He got elected out of wishful thinking. He was supported to go to war out of wishful thinking. I do not think he was ever popular, but people saw in him what they wanted to see. The problem is that he is not a good actor, or even an average one like Reagan was. Poor US citizens, they keep kissing the wrong frog.
julieta, Chile/US

Bush has done nothing noteworthy that has actually helped the American people as a whole since he has been in office. He has cut social services and funding for all workers (including the military), thrown the economy into a horrible slump, and destabilised both his own country and others across the Middle East (and probably others in the world as well), not to mention the toll in human lives that have been lost. His falling polls just reflect the fog lifting from the eyes of many Americans.
JB, US

Where to start? Was he really ever popular? What a disaster to the world, the economy, the environment and to every citizen's trust in their government's fairness and honesty.
Susan Overfield, Vermont, USA

Bush has completely mismanaged America Ben Davison, United States

There are many reasons Bush's popularity is falling. Weapons of mass destruction still have not been found in Iraq, the administration's credibility gets worse daily, and the USA is in one of the worst budget deficits ever. Bush has completely mismanaged America, and as such his popularity is dropping.
Ben Davison, United States

I believe that Mr Bush is on the correct course of action and that it will take several years for things to stabilize. It takes a great deal of resolve to go against world and public opinion, but this willingness to do so is proof that Mr Bush is performing the job that he was elected to do, act in the best long term interest of the United States. I believe that if he so desires that he will win the next Presidential election by a large margin. Historically liberal states will continue to remain in the Democratic camp.
Brent Taylor, USA-Alaska

Bush has been a disaster for this country. His policies have bankrupted future generations and his arrogance and lack of leadership has damaged US credibility around the world.
SG, US

As much as many in the world would like to think the president's popularity is sinking, the truth is it isn't; as the American people back their troops and their commander in chief, especially when they are put in harms way.
Eric Hovius, Canada

The situation in Iraq surely damages the popularity of Mr Bush. Those governments, who appreciate unjust wars for certain political reasons, involve themselves in a very risky business. It is irony that unjust wars, often, destroy the interests of those creating them at the first place.
S - Mamayandi, Canada

Who else is there to vote for? Roseann Prosser, USA

Of course President Bush will win a re-election whether the election is held today or in a year's time. He is the best thing that has happened to this country in a long time. Who else is there to vote for? I'm a registered Democrat and I will never vote Democrat again as they lost my vote with Clinton and his wife Hillary.
Roseann Prosser, USA

It has for me. Prior to this mess I was a registered Republican and voted for Bush in the last election. I have since reregistered as a Democrat.
Stephen, NY

Bush has a problem both with the economy and with the stagnation in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is why he is again emphasising that Iraq equals terrorism, a mantra that he hopes will rally support for him. In reality, he needs a turnaround in Iraq combined with a quick departure. His greatest assets at the moment are the perception that he is a strong leader and the lack of viable Democratic Party alternative.
Philip Giraldi, USA

For the Iraqis sake, let us hope the Iraq situation does not affect Bush's popularity at home too much. If it does, the administration will just walk away from the country at the first occasion, leaving it in a disastrous mess. Bush will remain committed to reconstruct Iraq only as long as he feels it wins him votes at home.
Simon, Netherlands

I really wish President Bush would put more emphasis on all our problems at home Joseph, USA

Like many families, my family lost a fortune in the stock-market downturn. During the 90's we were told by our government that stocks were a virtual guarantee of wealth and fortune for the future. My parents lost most of their retirement savings that way. I really wish President Bush would put more emphasis on all our problems at home, instead of trying to distract us with the indefinite spectre of an open-ended undeclared "war" on anything he doesn't like that he labels "terror".
Joseph, USA

The Iraq war had the appearance (correctly or not) of being revenge for 9/11. The problem is that quick and violent revenge is not ultimately very satisfying, and the US public may now be realising that. Iraq is burdening the US economy and costing US lives - that is not a recipe for electoral success.
Paul Gordon, Hong Kong

As a US citizen, I am deeply concerned about the big "right turn" that the United States of America has taken. Mr Bush and Mr Blair must be removed from office since they possess no "real or honest" leadership. My thoughts are for the innocent Iraqi citizens who lost their lives and for the honest soldiers who are sent to fight for the rich elites and politicians who never put their lives, and much less, their children's lives on the line of battle.
Johnny Franco Arboine, Saudi Arabia

Does it matter? The decisions he has made have not only cost the Americans billions, but have also resulted in hundreds dying. And the worst that can happen to him is that his ratings fall? Let's get some perspective here.
Mohamed, Tanzania

American troops will continue to carry the burden Chris, USA

It definitely is hurting his re-election chances. It is clear that the security situation in Iraq is falling apart, that the lives of the Iraqi people are not improving fast enough, and that the presence of American troops there may be attracting and even creating more terrorists. It is also clear that Bush is not going to get enough help from other countries. American troops will continue to carry the burden, with longer tours of duty, and without the hazard pay they were promised. This has angered many military families in the US.
Chris, USA

I originally opposed the war on the grounds of military preparedness and lack of support from allies. I have since become convinced that Iraq was never as huge a threat as portrayed by Mr Bush or Prime Minister Blair, and that as far as Mr Bush is concerned the war was a means to distract the American populace from domestic economic woes and the apparent lack of success of his "war on terrorism". Unfortunately the truth will probably not come out until after the American Army, economy, and world standing is wrecked beyond repair.
Bill, USA

His popularity is not being damaged among those whose thinking is long term. For his political rivals, they will say or do whatever they believe is necessary to gain power, regardless of the long term consequences or how the US is harmed by their statements.
Douglas, USA

The war did not end when Saddam's statue fell Ghaly Shafik, Cairo, Egypt

President Bush's vision for Iraq and the Middle East is very noble, I don't doubt his sincerity. However, the Bush administration did not do a good job in implementing what the president has in mind. The war did not end when Saddam's statue fell. It will continue until a decent Iraq emerges. The US is not re-building Iraq; it is building a new nation. The US cannot afford to fail. The whole region cannot afford US failure. Freedom loving Middle Easterns are closely watching Iraq.
Ghaly Shafik, Cairo, Egypt

Although I believe Bush would win an election if it were held right now, it is not a foregone conclusion that he will in 14 months. The American people are poorly informed about any of the details of world events and history, so at the present time many still accept the President's rationale for his foreign policy. Unfortunately, it seems that it will be the death of still more of our soldiers in Iraq that may finally get the attention of the people enough to make a change.
Mark Kandutsch, USA

The reason is that Bush has done almost everything wrong since he was put in office! His illegal, immoral, ill-conceived war on Iraq was the worst, but just one of many actions he has taken that have destabilised the world and caused great harm and suffering.
Daryl Bohning, USA

The soaring cost of the war is not helping Mr Bush Topi Lappalainen, Finland

As Tony Blair and John Howard are in trouble for the same reason, it is safe to assume that Iraq has a strong impact on Mr Bush's situation. Voters are as always having the US economy as their top priority and the soaring cost of the war is not helping Mr Bush. Right now he would probably lose to Lieberman, Dean, Kerry or any other Democratic contender but at this early stage polls are of no significance.
Topi Lappalainen, Finland

Whilst we all want to see as little loss of life in Iraq as possible, I dearly hope that this botched adventure deals a fatal blow to Bush's chances in next year's election. Most of the world is waiting to exhale.
Nick Fraser, Germany

George Bush should be impeached for general in competency. I was strongly against the US invading Iraq, but now that we are there, we have no alternative but to make that country a better place than we found it. It sounds to me like the Democratic Party leadership feels the same way, so I am hopeful that the US will do the right thing and make Iraq a better place than we found it, albeit at immense cost, and get out as soon as possible.
Richard Sequest, USA