Bush Katrina Ratings Fall After Speech

Hurricane Katrina Polls:

"Bush Katrina Ratings Fall After Speech

Survey of 1,000 Adults

September 16-17, 2005

President Bush Response to

Hurricane Katrina
Excellent 17%
Good 18%
Fair 23%
Poor 41%

RasmussenReports.com

Favor Federal Funding for $200 Billion New Orleans Reconstruction?
Favor 50%
Oppos 27%

RasmussenReports.com




September 18, 2005--Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans now say that President Bush has done a good or excellent job responding to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. That's down from 39% before his speech from New Orleans.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows that 41% give the President poor marks for handling the crisis, that's up 37% before the speech.

Fifty percent (50%) of Americans favor the main proposal from that speech--a federal commitment of $200 billion to help rebuild New Orleans. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are opposed and 23% are not sure.

The spending plan has not been well received by conservative voters--just 43% favor the huge federal commitment partisan while 37% are opposed. This is especially striking given how supportive the President's base has remained throughout his Administration.

The President's reconstruction plan is favored by 66% of liberal voters. Still, only 10% of liberals give the President a good or an excellent rating for handling the crisis.

[More Below]

Following the speech, the President's rating for handling the Katrina crisis fell eight points among Republicans (from 71% good or excellent to 63%). The President also draws good or excellent marks from 11% of Democrats and 31% of those not affiliated with either major political party."