PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush remains popular among conservative Republicans, despite his low overall approval rating, Gallup poll results indicated Tuesday.

While averaging a dismal 29 percent job approval rating among all Americans, Bush enjoys a 72 percent approval rate among conservatives, results from the Gallup Poll Daily tracking indicated.


Only four groups -- independents, and Republicans who identify themselves as moderate, liberal or conservative -- gave Bush ratings higher than 40 percent, and all are defined by political points of view, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. Because membership in these four groups overlaps -- such as Republicans and conservative Republicans -- Gallup reported Americans who are both Republicans and conservatives hold Bush in high esteem.

At the other end of the spectrum, groups giving Bush his lowest average approval ratings is dominated by left-leaning political groups, Gallup said.

Results are based on nationwide telephone interviews Dec. 1-9 with more than 9,000 adults. The margin of error is 1 percentage point.