DURHAM, N.H. – President Bush's job approval ratings have rebounded in New Hampshire, but the war in Iraq and the economy continue to hold him back, a new poll shows.
After reaching an all-time low of 30 percent in April, the president's approval ratings rose to 39 percent in the latest Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.
The improvement mirrors national polls which now show 40 percent approve of the job Bush is doing as president, said Survey Center Director Andrew Smith.
"Bush's rebound has happened, in large part, because conservatives are back on board," he said.
"In April, only 46 percent of conservatives said they approved of the job Bush was doing," Smith said. "Now, 69 percent of conservatives approve."
The war is a weak spot.
Of the 510 adults interviewed between July 21-31, the poll showed 36 percent of New Hampshire adults approve of the way Bush has handled Iraq, 57 percent disapprove and 6 percent are neutral.
At the same time, 47 percent support the U.S. having gone to war in Iraq, 47 percent oppose having gone to war and 6 percent are neutral. Those numbers have been essentially unchanged since July, 2004.
As for the future in Iraq, 57 percent think American troops should stay there until the situation has stabilized, 37 percent think the troops should be brought home as soon as possible, and 6 percent don't know. That sentiment has remained unchanged for the last six months.
At home, 39 percent of New Hampshire residents say they approve of the job Bush is doing with the economy, 53 percent disapprove, and 5 percent are neutral.
The margin of error is plus or minus 4.3 points.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox