WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A new Harris Poll finds no evidence of a bounce for U.S. President Bush from the arrests in Britain of a group suspected of plotting to blow up passenger jets.
A poll of 1,000 adults conducted from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21 found 34 percent approve of Bush's job performance, while 65 percent disapprove. Those numbers were almost identical to a poll conducted in early August before the arrests.
The survey did find terrorism has moved up as an issue, with 3 percent in early August saying it is the most important, while 9 percent did in the later poll. The war in Iraq remains the top issue with 28 percent naming it.
An analysis by the Gallup Organization of its past polls finds little evidence that Bush took a big hit from his handling of Hurricane Katrina.
Frank Newport, president of the Gallup Organization, said when people were asked directly about Bush's image as a "strong and decisive leader" and a good manager, his approval took a hit. But he said Bush's overall approval ratings appear to be affected mostly by the war in Iraq.
