Washington, July 20: President George W Bush's popularity slipped on growing doubts about the Iraq war and the flagging US economy some 16 months ahead of the 2004 presidential elections, according to a poll released on Saturday.
Bush's approval rating is at nearly its lowest point in his presidency, with just 53 per cent of those polled approving of the job he is doing, down from 58 per cent a month before.
A growing number, 47 per cent, said the time has come for new head of state, according to a Zogby International poll. That percentage rose by 11 per cent in a month.
"What has been propping up the President in the past few months is his personal favourable rating," now at 57 per cent, said John Zogby, pollster of Zogby International.
"This alone has slipped nine points in the past months. If he cannot count on a large majority of Americans to like him personally, this could spell doom for his re-election hopes because he has little support for his overall performance and how he is rated on the issues."



Likewise the percentage in the United States who hold a negative opinion of Bush rose from 41 to 46.



Bush's approval rating hit its lowest point at 50 per cent in August 2001, before the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington.



In today's poll, respondents gave Bush positive marks in conducting the war on terrorism, at 59 per cent, while 40 per cent gave him a negative grade.



However, opinion was divided almost evenly on Bush's handling of foreign affairs, with 49 per cent positive an 50 per cent negative.