2002-09-18-皮尤-Bush_Engages_and_Persuades_Public_on_Iraq_22页_201kb

Congressional Deadlock and Public Opinion

• The 2002 midterm election is tied between Republicans and Democrats, with no significant shift from earlier in the year, despite George W. Bush's rising approval ratings driven by the Iraq situation.

• Bush's job approval reached 67% as he made progress on the Iraq issue through UN speech and 9/11 anniversary remarks, with steady public support for military action against Iraq, even amid concerns about casualties.

• Media coverage for the 9/11 anniversary was seen as appropriate by 55%, with one-third of Americans believing it helped them process the tragedy.

• News interest has increased for stories like child kidnappings and the Iraq debate; Democrats increased their focus on partisan control of Congress while turnout indicators suggest a close match to prior elections.