WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush's public approval rating has improved after his highly visible efforts with Hurricane Rita, a new poll shows.
Bush's job approval rating in the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll climbed to 45 percent, it was reported Friday. And, 71 percent said they approved of his handling of Rita, which struck land Saturday near the Texas-Louisiana border, the second hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in a month.
By comparison, 40 percent said they approved of his handling of Hurricane Katrina, which hit near the Louisiana-Mississippi line Aug. 29.
The poll surveyed 1,007 adults from Monday-Wednesday, and had a margin of error of 5 percentage points, CNN said.
A similar poll released last week found 40 percent approved of Bush's job performance, and 41 percent approved of his handling of Katrina.
An easing of public concern over gasoline prices also appeared to have helped Bush's poll numbers.
