News 4. Bush Enjoys High Approval Rating

News 4. Bush Enjoys High Approval Rating. A new ABC News-Washington Post Poll today has some very positive news for President Bush. His overall approval rating is 59 percent, the highest it's been since the summer. ABC's Terry Moran joins us now from the White House. Terry, this isn't just a result of the capture of Saddam Hussein, but more importantly the positive signs about the economy. Absolutely, Elizabeth, that is the big issue, the number one issue for voters going into the election year, and there is some good news for the President in our poll. For the first time since April, our poll finds more Americans approve than disapprove of President Bush's handling in the economy by a margin of 51 to 44 percent. They do give him poor grades on one important issue, the budget deficit, which is expected to reach more than 400 billion dollars this year. They disapprove of his handling on that issue by a margin of 52 to 44 percent. Back to Iraq now, Terry, 63 percent of those polls say it doesn't matter if the US ever finds weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That's good news for the President since the search there continues to come up empty. It certainly is, Elizabeth. Our poll has what you might call a Saddam bounce. And more, it is not only a reflection of a happiness at the capture of Saddam Hussein, but embracing the president's overall strategy. Right now, a 59 percent of Americans say that the war in Iraq was worth fighting. That's up 7 percent from last month. And more importantly perhaps, 62 percent say the war has contributed to the country's overall long-term security. Although people do have concerns about casualties and an exit strategy. And finally, this president is often described as a polarizing figure there is a great deal of anger at him in the Democratic debate right now, but that is, according to our poll, Elizabeth, the decidedly minority sentiment. Only 12 percent of respondents say they are angry at this administration.