Bangkok Post Friday 30 September 2005 - DeLay's indictment latest blow to Bush

Bangkok Post Friday 30 September 2005 - DeLay's indictment latest blow to Bush: "Washington _ The indictment of one of Washington's most powerful politicians is the latest in a string of setbacks that could hamper US President George Walker Bush's chances of pushing his agenda through Congress. Mr Bush has ambitious plans for his second term, notably reforming the federal pension programme and making tax cuts permanent.

But his approval rating has slid to the low-40% range as a slow government response to Hurricane Katrina and the battle to pacify Iraq have weighed Mr Bush down.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said the low approval ratings would ``absolutely'' hurt Mr Bush, especially in his push to make Americans assume more personal risk for their retirement savings and insisting on tax cuts for the rich at a time of need for poor Americans displaced by Katrina.

``Obviously the president's influence is dictated to some degree by his popularity,'' said prominent Republican Senator John McCain.

While Mr McCain believes Mr Bush will regain footing as the situation in Iraq improves and the administration gets a handle on the natural disaster, he also said it would be difficult to bring the approval ratings up."