Popularity contest

A new AP-Ipsos poll puts the president's approval rating at 31 percent, down 1 percentage point from his previous low. That's pathetically abysmal -- but still above the lowest mark ever recorded, Harry Truman's 23 percent in 1951 and 1952.

At least that gives Mr. Bush something to shoot for during his final year in office.

And before congressional Democrats jump on the numbers, they should remember that the same poll pegs public approval of Congress at just 22 percent, which is nearing the all-time low of 18 percent, recorded in 1992.

But the Democratic majority shouldn't fret. Surely those numbers will skyrocket if Harry Reid & Co. spend a few more days of Senate time whining about Rush.