The chattering classes told us that Bush stole the Medicare issue from the Democrats. Apparently somebody forgot to explain this to the voters:

Americans are casting a skeptical eye on the Medicare changes signed into law by President Bush, according to an ABCNEWS/Washington Post poll. More disapprove than approve of the legislation, with doubts peaking among senior citizens and among those who've been following the issue most closely.

Among all Americans, 38 percent disapprove of the Medicare changes, slightly more than the 32 percent who approve (many, 30 percent, are withholding judgment). But it's a broader spread — 47 percent to 26 percent disapproval — among senior citizens, and a similar 46 percent to 32 percent disapproval in the next age group, 55- to 64-year-olds.

Moreover, disapproval is highest among the one-sixth of the public — many seniors among them — who have been following the issue most closely. Most people in this highest-attention group, 56 percent, disapprove of the plan; indeed, many of them disapprove "strongly." People who know more about it, this result suggests, like it less....

It follows, then, that the legislation has not delivered any immediate political boost to the president. His overall job approval rating in this poll is 53 percent, not up and if anything slightly down from its recent level (57 percent last month and 56 percent in October)....

--ABC News