For the first time in the history of Gallup polling, a president, the president—the Lord and Savior himself—has earned a “strongly disapprove” rating of 50 percent. George W. Bush’s performance, in other words, is now more intensely disapproved of than Richard Nixon’s who, at his very worst, had earned a 48 percent “strongly disapprove” rating.

From Gallup: “All in all, the latest USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted Nov. 2-4, shows that Bush’s overall job approval rating is at 31%, with a 64% disapproval rating. This job approval rating is within two points of the lowest of the Bush administration -- 29% -- recorded last July.” The only thing going for Bush at this point is the absolute base of his party, which continues to debase itself in its support for the L&S. “Among the 75% of Republicans who say they approve of Bush’s performance as president, 42% approve strongly, while 33% approve moderately.” Ever the conservative optimists, the folks at Gallup look for every way to spin the dismal numbers in Bush’s favor: “That 42% strong approval among members of his own party is by historical standards quite respectable.”

What was it that Karl Rove was telling Paul Gigot, the Wall Street Journal editor, back in August? That Bush “will move back up in the polls,” close to “40%,” and “higher than Congress.”