As any long term reader knows, I'm not a big fan of polls – or the way they are being conducted these days using badly skewed samples. So I'll just note here that a new USA Today poll shows a jump in approval ratings for Bush in the wake of the Zarqawi killing. This poll directly conflicts with the results other media outlets are reporting, so it's a case of pick-em.
WASHINGTON — In the wake of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death, President Bush is seeing improvement in public confidence that the Iraq war is winnable, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows.The new poll found that 48% believe the United States probably or definitely will win the war, up from 39% in April. It also found that 47% believe things are going well in Iraq, up from 38% in March.
The survey, taken Friday to Sunday and released Monday, also showed Bush's approval rating going up to 38% from 36% earlier this month and an all-time low of 31% in May. The poll news came as Bush and members of his Cabinet met at Camp David to discuss ways to help the recently formed government in Iraq.
I also tend to pay more attention to trends over time and consult Rasmussen on a regular basis. Bush's approval rating there is still holding at 41%. Rasmussen seems to be more consistent and less volatile than many of the other polls. They also don't seem to be skewing samples like some polls.
