Americans Lose Trust in President Bush's Management of Iraq - 2003-07-13

A new poll shows that Americans are losing trust in President Bush's management of Iraq. The American magazine 'Newsweek' published the results of its poll on Saturday, indicating a twelve percent decrease in his approval rating since May. Fifty-three percent of the one thousand individuals surveyed via telephone approved of President Bush's decision regarding Iraq, while thirty-nine percent disapproved. Two other polls conducted last week also indicated a decline in his approval rating due to concerns related to Iraq. The latest poll coincided with allegations that American officials exaggerated information regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction to justify the war. A majority of fifty-three percent of those surveyed by Newsweek stated they do not feel misled by American officials, while thirty-eight percent believed that officials intentionally misled the public. The Newsweek poll also reflects a division among Americans regarding their willingness for President Bush to continue serving in the White House for a second presidential term. Forty-seven percent said he should be re-elected, while forty-six percent rejected such a choice.