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Line 1: − [[Image:George W. Bush public opinion polling.png|thumb|[[CBS News]]/[[New York Times]] Bush [[public opinion polling]] from February 2001 to March 2007. Blue denotes "approve", red "disapprove", and gray "unsure". Large increases in approval followed the September 11 attacks and the beginning of the 2003 Iraq conflict.]]+ − '''[[George W. Bush]]''', the [[POTUS|President]] of the [[United States of America]], has inspired a variety of perceptions regarding his policies, personality and performance as a [[head of state]]. In the U.S. and elsewhere, [[journalists]], [[opinion poll|polling]] organizations and others have documented the expression of an evolving array of [[public opinion|opinions]] of President Bush. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine named George W. Bush as its [[Person of the Year]] for 2000<ref>{{cite web+ − | url = http://www.time.com/time/personoftheyear/2004/ − − | accessdate = 2006-09-09 − | year = 2004 − | work = [[TIME]] Magazine − }}</ref> and 2004,<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www.time.com/time/poy2000/ − | title = And the Winner Finally Is...… George W. Bush − | accessdate = 2006-09-09 − | year = 2000 − − }}</ref> hailing him as the most influential person during these two years. Bush began his presidency with [[approval rating]]s near 50%.<ref name=ApprovalRatingsOverTime>{{cite web − − − − − − − | url = http://www.pollster.com − | title = Pollster − }}</ref> − ==Background== − At the beginning of his first term, Bush was regarded by some as lacking legitimacy due to his narrow victory in Florida and the attendant controversy surrounding his electoral college victory, which included accusations of vote suppression and tampering. Bush has also been accused of squandering opportunities for uniting Americans across party lines. While routinely criticized by Democrats, Bush has also divided Republicans, American celebrities, and sports and media personalities, many of whom have engaged in heated criticism of Bush. Activist and filmmaker [[Michael Moore]]'s 2004 movie ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'' accused Bush of using public sentiments following 9/11 for political purposes and lying about the cause for war in Iraq. Bush has also been subject to criticism in the international community: he has been targeted by the global anti-war and anti-globalization campaigns, and criticized for his foreign policy. Bush's policies were also the subject of heated criticism in the 2002 elections in Germany<ref>{{cite journal − | title= Die außenpolitischen Positionen der Parteien im Bundestagswahlkampf 2002 − | year=2002 − | author= M. Overhaus, S. Schieder − | journal= Politik im Netz| volume 3 − | url= http://www.deutsche-aussenpolitik.de/daparchive/dateien/2002/01300.pdf}}</ref> and the 2006 elections in Canada.<ref>{{cite news − |author = CBC News − |url = http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/realitycheck/americans.html − |title = Was the American ambassador meddling in a Canadian election? − |publisher = CBC.ca Reality Check Team − |date = [[2005-12-14]] − |accessdate = 2006-09-23 − }}</ref> Bush has been openly condemned by centrist, liberal and leftist politicians such as [[Gerhard Schröder]], [[Jean Chrétien]], [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]], [[Romano Prodi]], [[Paul Martin]], and [[Hugo Chávez]]. Diplomatic visits made by Bush have been characterized by protests, sometimes of a significant scale. − [[Image:Blair Bush 2006.jpg|thumb|300px|left|George W. Bush answering a reporter’s question during a joint press availability with [[Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] in the East Room of the [[White House]], [[July 28]], [[2006]]. White House photo by Paul Morse]] − Bush has enjoyed strong support among Republicans and Americans holding conservative and pro-military views, and for the 2004 elections, 95-98% of the Republican electorate approved of and voted for Bush, a figure exceeding the approval of [[Ronald Reagan]]. This support has waned, however, due mostly to Republicans' growing frustration with Bush on the issues of spending and illegal immigration. Some Republicans have even begun criticizing Bush on his policies in Iraq, Iran and the Palestinian territories.<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-15-rice-request_x.htm − | title = Republicans criticize Rice over Bush Mideast policy − | accessdate = 2006-09-09 − | author = Associated Press − | date = [[2006-02-15]] − }}</ref> Bush has also enjoyed strong personal and working relationships with foreign leaders such as [[Tony Blair]], [[John Howard]], [[Junichiro Koizumi]], [[Angela Merkel]], [[Stephen Harper]], and [[Ehud Olmert]], as well as good rapport with [[Vladimir Putin]] and [[Vicente Fox]]. Here, tensions have arisen, such as the cooling of the relationship between Bush and Putin.<ref name=LeeryofPutin>{{cite web − | url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060721-9999-1n21usrussia.html − | title = Bush, White House now leary of Putin as Russian turns back on democracy − | accessdate = 2006-09-09 − | author = Condon, George E. Jr. − | date = [[2006-07-21]] − | publisher = San Diego Union Tribune − }}</ref> Privately, Bush has expressed regret at the effusiveness he displayed after his first meeting with Putin. "I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy...I was able to get a sense of his soul."<ref name=LeeryofPutin /> − From time to time, Bush's [[intellectual]] capacities have been questioned by the media<ref>{{cite web+ − | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/19/AR2006081900568_pf.html − | title = Pundits Renounce The President − | accessdate = 2006-09-11 − | last = Baker − | first = Peter − | date = [[2006-08-20]] − | publisher = Washtington Post − }}</ref> and other politicians<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=401414 − | title = Blair 'feels betrayed by Bush on Lebanon' − | accessdate = 2006-09-11 − | last = Walters − | first = Simon − | date = [[2006-08-19]] − | publisher = Daily Mail − }}</ref> leading to speculation about his [[IQ]], of which no official record is known.<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www.csbsju.edu/uspp/Election/bush011401.htm − | title = Bush gets bad rap on intelligence − | accessdate = 2006-10-09 − | date = [[January 14]] [[2001]] − | publisher = St. Cloud Times Online − }}</ref> − Detractors tend to cite the various linguistic errors made by Bush during his public speeches (colloquially known as [[Bushisms]]).<ref>{{cite web+ − | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/US_election_race/Story/0,,392735,00.html − | title = Bush, in his own words − | accessdate = 2006-10-09 − | author = Jacob Weisberg − | date = [[November 4]] [[2000]] − | publisher = Guardian Unlimited − }}</ref> Bush's habit of [[mispronunciation|mispronouncing]] words has received much ridicule in the media and in popular culture. Even as early as the [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]] [[United States presidential election debates|presidential debates]], this was the subject of a ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' sketch (see [[Strategery]]).<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www.kencollier.org/classes/PSC448/readings448/SeriousStrategery.html − | title = Serious 'Strategery' As Rove Launches Elaborate Political Effort, Some See a Nascent Clintonian 'War Room' − | accessdate = 2006-10-09 − | author = Dana Milbank − | date = [[April 22]] [[2001]] − | publisher = Washington Post − }}</ref> Perhaps his most famous mispronunciation is that of "[[nucular|nu''cular'']]" instead of "nu''clear''". It should be noted, however, that he is not the only American president to have done this, and that [http://m-w.com/dictionary/nuclear Merriam-Webster Online] considers this an acceptable pronunciation (though adding a footnote defending its inclusion).<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www-csli.stanford.edu/~nunberg/nucular.html − | title = Going Nucular − | accessdate = 2006-10-09 − | author = Geoffrey Nunberg − | date = [[October 2]] [[2002]] − | publisher = Washington Post − }}</ref> − [[Image:Bush_belfast.jpg|thumb|230px|A mural of President Bush in [[West Belfast|West]] [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]], depicting the local population's perception of his foreign policy and relationship with the British government.]]+ − In 18 of 21 countries surveyed around the world, a majority of respondents were found to hold an unfavorable opinion of Bush. Respondents indicated that they judged his administration as "negative" for world security.<ref> {{cite web − | url = http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbcpoll.html − | title = In 18 of 21 Countries Polled, Most See Bush’s Reelection as Negative for World Security − | accessdate = 2006-09-24 − | date = [2004] − | publisher = [[BBC World Service]] and [[Program on International Policy Attitudes]] − }}</ref><ref> {{cite web − | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/world/main604135.shtml − | title = Polls: World Not Pleased With Bush − | accessdate = 2006-09-24 − | date = March 4, 2004 − | publisher = [[Associated Press]] − }}</ref> A poll taken in mid September of 2006 indicated that 48 percent of Americans believed the war with Iraq has made the U.S. less safe, while 41 percent believed the war has made the U.S. safer from terrorism.<ref> {{cite web − | url = http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm − | title = Iraq − | accessdate = 2006-09-24 − | date = September, 2006 − | publisher = [[USA Today]] [[Gallup poll]] − }}</ref> Another poll shows that a majority of Americans, by a margin of 61 to 35 percent, believe that the United States is not better off because of Bush's policies.<ref> {{cite web − | url = http://www.pollingreport.com/bush.htm − | title = President Bush and the Bush Administration − | accessdate = 2006-09-24 − | date = September, 2006 − | publisher = [[Los Angeles Times]] [[Bloomberg L.P.]] − }}</ref> Another poll conducted in Britain placed Bush at the second biggest "threat to the world peace" right after [[Bin Laden]], and topped [[North Korea]]n dictator [[Kim Jong-Il]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1938434,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12 British believe Bush is more dangerous than Kim Jong-il]</ref> − According to poll taken in November of 2006, [[Finns]] just as British believe that Bush is second biggest "threat to the world peace" right after [[Bin Laden]]. [[Kim Jong-Il]] came 3rd in poll and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hassan Nasrallah share 4th position.<ref>{{cite web − | url = http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/200611115352441_uu.shtml − | title = He uhkaavat maailman turvallisuutta (They threat the world peace) − | accessdate = 2006-11-11 − | last = − | first = − | date = [[2006-11-11]] − | publisher = Iltalehti − }}</ref> − Some people, such as [[Benjamin Ferencz]], a chief prosecutor at the [[Nuremberg trials]], hold the view that Bush should be tried for war crimes along with Saddam Hussein for starting "aggressive" wars. They argue that the US-led invasion was a war of aggression, and therefore under the [[Nuremberg Principles]] it constitutes the supreme international crime from which all other war crimes follow.<ref>{{cite web+ − | url = http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/138319/1/ − | title = Bush and Saddam Should Both Stand Trial, Says Nuremberg Prosecutor − | accessdate = 2006-09-09 − | last = Glantz − | first = Aaron − | date = [[2006-08-25]] − | publisher = OneWorld − }}</ref> − Other experts have also regarded the Bush Administration's decision to invade Iraq as the supreme international crime, a crime against the peace: "There was no authorization from the U.N. Security Council ... and that made it a crime against the peace," said [[Francis Boyle]], professor of international law, who also said the U.S. Army's field manual required such authorization for an offensive war. However, historians point out that every [[U.N. Security Council#Permanent members|permanent member of the U.N. Security Council]] has undertaken at least one war without the council's permission or endorsement, and no such authorization came from the U.N. in other U.S. led wars and/or interventions such as [[Vietnam]], [[Haiti]], [[Kosovo]], [[Panama]] or [[Grenada]], or for that matter President [[Jimmy Carter]]'s attempt to rescue American hostages during the [[Iran Hostage Crisis]].<ref>[http://www.cfr.org/publication/5564/un_blessing_is_just_a_frill_for_a_us_war_in_iraq.html]</ref><ref>{{cite web+ − | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003207442_watada18m.html+ − | title = Iraq war bashed at hearing for soldier who wouldn't go+ − | accessdate = 2006-09-09+ − | last = Bernton+ − | first = Hal+ − | date = 2006-08-18+ − | publisher = The Seattle Times+ − }}</ref>+ + + − ==Domestic==+ − {{see also|Criticism of George W. Bush}} − − [[Image:Bush approval ratings line graph.png|thumb|left|Bush approval rating from February 2001 to August 2006. Notable spikes in his approval rating followed the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], and the beginning of the [[2003 Iraq conflict]].]] − − Bush began his presidency with [[approval rating]]s near 50%.<ref name=ApprovalRatingsOverTime>{{cite web|url=http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/cgi-bin/hsrun.exe/Roperweb/PresJob/PresJob.htx;start=HS_fullresults?pr=Bush|title=Job Performance Ratings for President Bush|publisher=Roper Center}}</ref> Following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Bush held approval ratings of greater than 85%, among the highest for any President. Since then, his approval ratings and approval of his handling of domestic, economic, and foreign policy issues have steadily declined. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pa/presidentialRatings.cfm|title=President Bush’s Approval Ratings|publisher=Ipsos News Center}}</ref>. − − In 2002, Bush had the highest approval rating of any president during a midterm congressional election since [[Dwight Eisenhower]]. In an unusual deviation from the historical trend of midterm elections, the Republican Party regained control of the [[United States Senate|Senate]] and added to its majority in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. Typically, the President's party loses congressional seats in the midterm elections; 2002 marked only the third midterm election since the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] that the party in control of the White House gained seats in both houses of Congress (others were [[United States House election, 1902|1902]] and [[United States House election, 1934|1934]]). − − In 2003, Bush's approval spiked upward at the time of the [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster]] in February. The upward trend continued through the invasion of Iraq in March. By late 2003, when presidential opponents began their campaigns in earnest, his approval numbers were in the low to middle 50s. Most polls tied the decline to growing concern over the [[U.S.-led occupation of Iraq]] and a slow recovery from the 2001 recession. Polls of May 2004 showed anywhere from a 53% <ref>{{cite web|title=President Bush Job Approval |url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm|publisher=Rasmussen Reports}}</ref> to a 46 % approval rating. <ref>{{cite web|title=Race too close to call|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/polls/usatodaypolls.htm|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> − − Polls conducted in early 2006 showed an average of around 40% for Bush, relatively low for a president coming off of his [[State of the Union Address]], which generally provides a boost. − − In April 2006, the president's approval in the polls continued the trend. Four states continue to maintain a positive approval rating: [[Utah]], [[Wyoming]], [[Idaho]] and [[Nebraska]]. His disapproval rating in traditionally [[red states]] had risen, with higher than 60% of voters disapproving in [[Ohio]], [[Florida]], [[Arkansas]], [[New Mexico]], [[Nevada]], [[Colorado]], [[Virginia]], [[Missouri]] and [[Iowa]]. Even in his conservative-spun homestate of [[Texas]], disapproval reached 51 percent. His disapproval rating in several American states had reached an all time high, with more than 70% disapproving in [[Rhode Island]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Delaware]], [[Vermont]] and [[New York]]. His highest approval rating stood at 55% in [[Utah]], and his lowest, 24%, in [[Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite web|title=50 State POTUS 04/06 Sort By State|url=http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/06041850StatePOTUSApproval.html|publisher=SurveyUSA}}</ref> − − In [[July 10]], [[2006]], an average of major polls indicated that Bush's approval rating stood at 39.4%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Average of major polls|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/archive/?poll_id=19|publisher=Real Clear Politics}}</ref> − − In polls conducted between [[August 7]] and [[August 16]], 2006, Bush's average approval rating was 37.0%, and his average disapproval rating was 57.3%.<ref>{{cite web|title=RealClearPolitics Poll Averages|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/archive/?poll_id=19|publisher=Real Clear Politics}}</ref> − − At the conclusion of 2006, an [[Associated Press|AP]]-[[AOL]] News telephone poll of 1,004 adults found President George W. Bush to be both the top villain and hero of the year.<ref>{{cite news − |url=http://wcbstv.com/watercooler/watercooler_story_362133530.html|title=Poll: President Bush Top Villain Of 2006|date = [[2006-12-28]]|accessdate= 2007-02-14|publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> The president was followed in the villain poll by [[Osama bin Laden]], who took in 8 percent to Bush's 25 percent, [[Saddam Hussein]] (6 percent) and Iran's [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] (5 percent). In the hero poll, Bush's 13 percent was followed by: Soldiers/troops in Iraq (6 percent), [[Jesus Christ]] (3 percent), [[Barack Obama]] (3 percent) and [[Oprah Winfrey]] (3 percent).<ref>{{cite news|title=Hero or villain? Depends on your point of view|url=http://www.chillicothegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/OPINION/612290323/1014|date=[[December 29]] [[2006]]|publisher=[[Chillicothe Gazette]]|author=Lori McNelly}}</ref> − − Polls conducted after Bush's [[Iraq Troop Surge|Troop Surge]] strategy was announced in January 2007 showed his approval rating had dropped to approximately 32.0%. A recent poll by Mirror also suggested that 48% of the Americans believe Bush to have the lowest intelligence of all post WWII Presidents. − − ===December 2005 Rasmussen poll on Iraq=== − A poll by Rasmussen Reports on [[10 December]] [[2005]] asked, "Should President Bush be impeached and removed from office?" 32% said "yes," and 58% said "no."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Impeachment.htm|title=32% Favor Bush Impeachment − |publisher=Rasmussen Reports}}</ref> Earlier polls asked conditional versions of the impeachment question. For example, Zogby International on [[November 2]], [[2005]] asked whether respondents agreed with the statement, "If President Bush did not tell the truth about his reasons for going to war with Iraq, Congress should consider holding him accountable through impeachment." Americans agreed with this, 53% to 42%. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/6|title=53% of Americans Support Impeachment|publisher=ImpeachPAC}}</ref> − − ===October 2006 Newsweek poll on impeachment=== − A poll by Newsweek on [[19 October]] [[2006]] revealed that 51% of respondents believed that the impeachment of George W. Bush should be a priority. <ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15357623/site/newsweek/page/2/</ref> This poll drew the ironic jab of political commentators, with comparisons to Bush referring to his 2004 election margin of 51% as a mandate.<ref>http://www.wonkette.com/politics/impeachment/its-a-mandate-209624.php</ref> − − ==Global criticism of Bush== − [[Image:Schröder and Bush.jpg|thumb|Former German chancellor [[Gerhard Schröder]] and President Bush, 2001]] − [[Image:Dailymirror.jpg|left|thumb|Coverage of Bush's re-election in 2004 by the British ''[[Daily Mirror]]''. The ''Mirror'' has carried a number of front pages hostile to G.W. Bush, as have other [[Europe]]an newspapers and magazines.]] − [[Image:Bush and Chirac.jpg|thumb|President Bush and [[President of the French Republic|French President]] [[Jacques Chirac]] during the [[27th G8 summit]], [[July 21]], [[2001]].]] − − Opinions of Bush from outside the U.S. are generally less favorable. For example, a global sampling of 21 nations found that 58% of those sampled believed that George Bush's re-election would have a negative impact on their peace and security. Only 26% believed it would have a positive one.<ref name=globescan>[http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbcpoll.html Globe Scan poll] for the [[Program on International Policy Attitudes]]</ref> − − ===In specific countries=== − The [[United Kingdom|U.K.]] ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' newspaper ran the following headline the day of Bush's reelection: “How Can 59,054,087 People Be So Dumb?”, underlining Bush's unpopularity in some sections of the British press. Among the population of Britain, two-thirds of the population holds a dim view of Bush, a figure that is duplicated in Canada. Bush fares slightly better in Mexico and Italy, where just over half of the population has a negative view, but much worse in other countries. “Three-quarters of those in Spain and more than 80% in France and Germany had a negative view of Mr. Bush's role in world affairs."<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/04/world/main604135.shtml Polls: World Not Pleased With Bush], report by CBS News of a survey conducted by [http://www.ap-ipsosresults.com/ Ipsos] for the [[Associated Press]], March 4, 2004</ref> In Turkey, 72% of those polled said that George Bush's re-election made them “feel worse about Americans".<ref name=globescan /> − In November 2006, a survey taken in Britain, Mexico, and Canada showed that they believe Bush is more dangerous than the North Korean leader, [[Kim Jong-il]], and the President of Iran, [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]]. <ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1938434,00.html British believe Bush is more dangerous than Kim Jong-il], report by The Guardian of a survey conducted by the Guardian in Britain and leading newspapers in Israel (Haaretz), Canada (La Presse and Toronto Star) and Mexico (Reforma) November 3, 2006</ref> − − ===Islamic world=== − In Islamic countries, opinion of Bush is even less favorable. In these Islamic countries, Bush's unfavorable ratings are particularly high, often over 90%.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/02/opinion/02wright.html What Would Machiavelli Do?] --Robert Wright, ‘’[[The New York Times]], August 2, 2004</ref> In Jordan, for example, Bush’s favorable rating is only nine percent.<ref name=ICM>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/america/finaldata.pdf ‘’What the World Thinks of America’’] Poll results prepared by ICM research for the BBC</ref> − − ===Favorable opinion=== − Bush enjoys somewhat more favorable views among the populations of some allied states, though they are usually a minority of the countries polled. In one multi-nation poll after Bush’s 2004 re-election, India and the Philippines were the only countries (out of 21 that were polled) where a majority (about 60%) saw his return to office as positive for peace and security in the world.<ref name=globescan /> In one poll of ten countries, [[Israel]] was the only country where the population had a net favorable opinion, with 62 percent favoring Bush.<ref name=ICM /> − <div class="references-small"> − </div> − − ==See also== − {{George W. Bush}} − − ==External links== − *[http://pollingreport.com/ Pollingreport.com: a nonpartisan compilation of published scientific polls]+ − +
Undo revision 218066 by Special:Contributions/Hellosun (User talk:Hellosun)
{{Taxonomy|image = akitadog.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = [[Chordata]]|subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]|class = [[Mammalia]]|order = [[Carnivora]]|suborder = Caniformia |family = Canidae|genus = Canis|species = lupus|footnotes = Subspecies: Canis lupus familiaris (Domesticated dog)}}
'''Dogs''', are a subspecies of [[wolf|wolves]] (given the scientific name ''Canis lupus familiaris'' ), divided into a multitude of different breeds all capable of interbreeding (though in some cases, physical relations between representatives of two breeds are unlikely or problematic - Chihuahuas and Great Danes, for example). They are one of the most well-known domesticated species, with archaeological and historical records showing that they have lived in a mutually beneficial relationship with humans for upwards of ten thousand years; in Biblical times, they had already been coexisting with humans long enough for it to be regarded as the natural order of things. Dogs are also viewed as being the single most genetically diverse species on Earth - largely thanks to human-imposed selective breeding, the vast array of dog breeds surpasses any other any other creature on the planet.
| title = Person of the Year President George W. Bush American Revolutionary
| work = [[TIME]] Magazine
| url = http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/cgi-bin/hsrun.exe/Roperweb/PresJob/PresJob.htx;start=HS_fullresults?pr=Bush
| title = Job Performance Ratings for President Bush
| accessdate = 2006-09-09
| author = Roper Center
| year = 2006
}}</ref> In the time of national crisis following the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], Bush enjoyed approval ratings of greater than 85%, maintaining 80–90% approval for four months after the attacks. Since then, his approval ratings and approval of handling of domestic and foreign policy issues have steadily dropped. Polls conducted in early 2006 showed an average of around 40% for Bush, up slightly from the previous September, but still historically low from a President coming off of his [[State of the Union Address]], which generally provides a boost. As of July 1, 2007, Bush's approval rating is estimated to be 28.9%.<ref>{{cite web
Male dogs are referred to as a ''dog'', while a female is called a ''bitch''. Offspring are called ''pups'' (or ''puppies'') until around a year old. The collective noun for a group of offspring is ''litter''.
Despite being colloquially known as "man's best friend", every 40 seconds, someone in the United States seeks medical help for a dog bite. There are approximately 800,000 bites per year in the United States that require medical attention.<ref>http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html</ref> Due to the high cost of dog bite liability claims, some [[insurance]] companies have blacklisted certain breeds and refuse to provide homeowners insurance to those who own these dog breeds. <ref>http://www.dogbitelegalcenter.com/resources/common-dogs.html</ref>
Research has shown that it is probable that the first settlers of the [[America]]s brought dogs of some sort with them.
Dogs are used for many purposes:
*Guarding property and livestock.
*Herding [[sheep]] and [[cow|cattle]].
*Tracking by scent, carrying messages, and mountain rescue.
*Pursuing, flushing and retrieving game, and killing [[vermin]].
*Providing assistance to blind and deaf people.
*Military and police duties including guarding, tracking and attacking. In [[World War II]], the [[Soviet Union]] attempted to train dogs to place explosive charges under German [[tank]]s.
*To detect illegal drugs (German Shepherds are commonly trained to do so by police)
*As a beast of burden, or for drawing sledges and dogcarts.
* As a performing animal. [[Circus]] dogs have been trained to dance, ride bicycles and walk the tightrope.
* For fighting, now illegal in most places.
*As food. Dog is still considered a delicacy in [[China]], [[Korea]] and parts of [[Africa]] today.
Today most dogs are kept for companionship only. Stray and feral dogs cause many problems, spreading diseases such as [[rabies]], and attacking people and [[livestock]].
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:Canines]]
[[Category:George W. Bush]]
[[Category:Biblical animals]] <!-- Need a section on this. -->