American Support for Bush and War Starts to Slide in Poll

US public support for the Bush presidency and war in Iraq is waning rapidly, according to a poll published yesterday.

The poll, commissioned by the Washington Post and ABC News, found that nearly seven out of 10 Americans are in favour of giving inspectors months more to search Iraq before considering military action, in contrast to the Bush administration which says it is running out of patience.

Only half of those questioned favoured Mr Bush's handling of the Iraqi crisis, down eight points in the space of a month, with 58% wanting to see more evidence that President Saddam was developing banned weapons, and 71% saying the US should make public its own evidence if the UN was unable to find any.

Forty-three per cent said the inspectors should have as much time as they need to continue their search, and another quarter said they should be given "a few months" or more.

A majority of Americans, 59%, say they approve of the president's performance in general, but that is drastically down compared to his ratings only a few months ago, and much of his support may re flect patriotism. While a majority still support Mr Bush's leadership in the "war on terrorism" there is far more scepticism on domestic issues. Only 43% now approve of his handling of the ailing US economy, down 7% since last month and the first time since he came to office that he has inspired only minority support on the issue.

In a speech in St Louis, Missouri, yesterday, Mr Bush blamed the circumstances of his presidency.

"Think about what this economy of ours has been through. For a short time, we've had a recession. The first three quarters of my presidency were negative growth," he said. "And then, before we could get our head above water, the enemy hit us and hurt us."

The president said his policies based on tax cuts were beginning to turn the economy around, but yesterday's poll suggested most Americans do not share his optimism.

By a majority of two to one, they preferred spending on education, health care and social services to a tax cut, and a significant majority said they would rather the money be used to balance the federal budget.