US: As US president George Bush prepares for next week's state-of-the-union address, he faces widespread discontent over his job performance and the nation's direction that could threaten his party in the 2006 mid-term congressional election, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll has found.
In the survey, 43 per cent of Americans said they approved of Mr Bush's performance as president, his weakest showing in a Times poll. He received even lower marks for his handling of the economy, healthcare and Iraq, especially from women, who, the poll found, have turned against him on several fronts. And by a two-to-one margin those surveyed said the nation needed to change direction from the overall course he has set.
But the poll also found that most Americans believe Mr Bush's policies have made the nation more secure. And a plurality say they trust him more than Democrats to protect the country against terrorism; advantages that could help Republicans defend their house and senate majorities in November.
Reflecting similar instincts, the poll found a majority of Americans still willing to take tough steps to reduce the risk of terrorism, from surrendering some of their civil liberties to supporting military action against Iran if it continues to advance toward developing nuclear weapons.
These contrasting findings frame what could be the central dynamic in this year's elections: whether broad, though slightly eroded, public confidence in Mr Bush's handling of terrorism will outweigh persistent dissatisfaction over his performance on domestic concerns and the war in Iraq.
The findings pose another key political question: can Democrats significantly benefit from discontent over Bush and the congressional Republican majority while suffering their own image problems?
Just 36 per cent expressed a favourable opinion of congressional Democrats, while 45 per cent viewed them unfavourably; statistically identical to the showing for congressional Republicans.
Among voting blocs, two-thirds of women and those describing themselves as independents - as well as 71 per cent of moderates - said the nation needed to change course.
The poll found that attitudes toward Mr Bush remain polarised. About four in five Republicans say they approve of his performance, while four in five Democrats disapprove.
Religiously devout Americans remain a cornerstone of Mr Bush's support: more than three-fifths of whites who attend religious services at least once a week approved of his performance. (Among whites who attend religious services less frequently or never, nearly three-fifths disapproved.)
By 56 per cent to 41 per cent, a majority of those surveyed disapprove of his handling of the Iraq war.