On Monday CBS News released two of its latest polls showing President Bush at an all time low of 34 percent. The studies polled an array of current political issues facing the nation and the Bush administration. Not only was Bush at an all time low, but so was the approval of how Bush has handled the war in Iraq, which polled at an astonishingly 30 percent approval. In addition, 50 percent of Americans disapprove of how Bush is handling the war on terror and 70 percent of Americans disapprove of a Bush administration deal that would allow the UAE control over six American ports.

The Cheney factor also adds to the administrations woes. Cheney's approval dropped from 23 percent just a month ago to 18 percent currently. Though a majority of Americans want the Cheney hunting accident story to be finished in the media.

As devastating as the numbers appear there are many ways to interpret the data. It also must be noted that the polls did not ask how America approved or disapproved of how the minority/opposition Democratic Party was favoring on the same issues. For instance, just because 66 percent of Americans currently disapprove of Bush's handling of affairs, it does not mean that 66 percent automatically approve of the opposition Democratic Party. In all fairness, it can portray just the opposite.

But to remain on the issue of the latest CBS poll, the numbers are not very flattering for George Bush.

The Cook Political Report also has a very interesting Feb. 14 article about second-term presidential numbers, or better known as the Six Year Itch. The article describes second-term midterm elections and how historically second-term presidents unless with approval numbers in the high 50s to 60s will lose some number of Congressional seats come November. Luckily, for Republicans however, with 9 months until November, and with only a handful at best of GOP controlled districts in danger along with maybe 1 senate seat, the GOP majority appears not to suffer any blows in the midterm elections. It's also safe to say that the GOP may even pick up a seat or two in the House while losing a seat in the senate.

Other Second-term Presidential Approval Ratings at the Same Time in Their Terms:

Clinton
Feb/1998 72% approval

Reagan
Nov/1986 46% approval

Nixon
Jan/1974 27% approval

Eisenhower
Feb/1958 54% approval

Entire CBS Polls can be found here and here.