President's Job Approval Rating Improves... MSM appears not to notice.

There was quite a bit of coverage of the President's approval rating from the Pew Research report released in early October. The usual doom and gloom.
But in their latest survey, things improved slightly.

Let's look at their data: To the question Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president?

Late October 12-24, 2005 40% Approve 52% Disapprove 8% don't know
Early October, 2005 38% Approve 56% Disapprove 6% don't know - this made huge headlines.
September 8-11, 2005 40% Approve 52% Disapprove 8% don't know
September 6-7, 2005 40% Approve 52% Disapprove 8% don't know
July, 2005 44% Approve 48% Disapprove 8% don't know

So early October was bad, but the latest report shows that his ratings are pretty much unchanged or back to where there were in September. Where's the news? Of note, his approval ratings were 44% in July, same as just before the election in 2004.

Positive spin ... the President's approval rating is not changed much. Negative spin... his disapproval rating is higher than last year.

Which message are you hearing from the MSM?

By the way, is it just me, or does there seem to be an assumption in the media that if the President's approval rating or his "handling of Iraq" is down, then that means it's down because respondents think we should never have gone in or that we should get out now? I for one challenge that assumption. I might "disapprove" of the "handling of Iraq" because I'd prefer more troops and more action against Syria or Iran (we'll have to fight them sooner or later any way)... not saying that's what I AM saying... but I might.

UPDATE: Mudville linked to a Washinton Times story that shows Pew research showing a divide between the public and the "opinion leaders." mmhmm



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