As he nears the 100-day mark in his presidency, [Bush] is rated somewhat higher than former president Bill Clinton but below where Ronald Reagan and Bush's father were at similar points in their presidencies. In the poll, 63 percent said they approved of the way Bush is handling the job, slightly up since last month, while 32 percent disapproved.

The centerpiece of Bush's plan for the economy, a $1.6 trillion tax cut over 10 years, rates seventh on a list of 10 issues in terms of priorities, although there is overwhelming support for cutting taxes among Bush's GOP base. The public agrees with Bush's emphasis on education, but issues he has not pushed hard -- holding down health care costs, providing prescription drug benefits, protecting Social Security -- rate higher on the public's agenda.

Bush has argued that his tax cut is necessary not only to spur the economy but also to prevent lawmakers from spending more money on federal programs. However, the American people see a greater need to spend money than does Bush, the poll suggested. Asked which is more important, holding down the size of government or providing needed services, those surveyed said they favored providing the services by 2 to 1. Asked which was more important to Bush, the public said, again by 2 to 1, holding down the size of government.