NEW YORK, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush's slumping approval rating got a boost based on economic performance in a New York Times/CBS News poll published Thursday.
The survey, conducted Dec. 2-6, showed Bush's approval rating at 40 percent, up from 35 percent a month ago, which was the lowest point of his presidency, the Times said.
Bush's handling of the economy also rose to 38 percent approving, up from 34 percent last month.
Despite the gains, Bush's approval rating remains among his lowest, and is still substantially lower than that of Presidents Bill Clinton, who was at 58 percent, or Ronald Reagan, who was at 68 percent at comparable points in their second terms.
On the issue of Iraq, 32 percent want the number of U.S. troops reduced, and 28 percent want a total pullout.
The telephone poll of 1,155 adults nationwide had a margin of sampling error of 3 percentage points.
