2005-01-12-皮尤-Public_s_Agenda_Differs_From_President_s_56页_164kb

Key Findings from the Bush Second Term Release

• Approval Ratings: Bush's approval rating (50% approve, 43% disapprove) is significantly lower than other post-re-election presidents. Approval is highest among Republicans (89%) but lowest among Democrats (47%).
• Public vs. Presidential Priorities: Terrorism and the economy lead public concerns, aligning with administration policy. However, key public priorities include health care, aid to the poor, and deficit reduction—which are not emphasized in the current agenda.
• Policy Gaps:
  • Health care is the top priority for 73% of the public, compared to Social Security (49%), education (62%), tax system (46%), and legal system (52%).
  • Just 27% see limiting lawsuit awards as a priority, while 75% support education and 70% support Medicare.
• Future Influence: Public expects more influence for military, business, and conservative Christians, while poor people and older groups face greatest declines in influence.
• Partisan Differences: Democrats prioritize health care (81% top priority) and economy (82%), while Republicans focus on terrorism (84%) and military (65%).
• Iraq War: Opinions on the war remain stable (54% right decision, 44% wrong). 49% see no change post-elections, while concerns about foreign policy have declined from peaks earlier in the year.
• Economy & Social Issues: Public views economic conditions as "poor" (15%) or "only fair" (45%). Health coverage for the uninsured and deficit reduction gained importance post-9/11 but have slowed recently.
• Social Security: Public opinion has shifted from urgency seen in 2000. 47% believe it works fairly well, with Republican views matching Democrat

This summary highlights partisan and generational divides, as well as potential tension between public priorities and administration policy at the start of a second presidential term.