Bush's approval ratings reach highest since March

The successful completion of elections in Iraq coupled with an upsurge in the domestic economy have lifted the approval ratings of US President George W Bush to the highest level since March, according to a latest poll.

As things stand now, 47 per cent of Americans approve the President's job performance, up from an all time low of 39 per cent in November, the poll conducted by ABC News/ Washington Post says. November polls had shown the President's approval rating as low as 37 per cent. The 47 per cent approval rating is the best rating Bush got since March when he posted 50 per cent.

The latest poll has shown that Bush's handling of the situation in Iraq has gone up 10 points from November to 46 per cent. Seventy One per cent have opined that the elections in Iraq have moved the US closer to the day when forces can be withdrawn. According to the poll 54 per cent Americans have also expressed optimism about Iraq for the year ahead, which is eight points more than this time 2004.

But in spite of a White House blitz on Iraq that included four speeches by the President since November 30 and a prime time national address, 60 per cent of the Americans believe that Bush has not done enough to explain why the US army is still in Iraq.

On the economic front, 45 per cent of the Americans were positive about the economy, a 10 point gain from November. Meanwhile a CNN/USA Today Gallup poll conducted over the weekend found his approval rating stood at 41 per cent, while more than half, or 56 per cent, disapprove of how the president is handling his job.