POLL SHOWS BUSH'S APPROVAL RATING STILL FALLING

Support for President Bush has fallen to an all-time low. For the first time, an "unnamed Democrat" holds a clear lead over Bush as the voters' choice, according to a CBS News poll just released.

Only 45 percent approve of how Bush is doing his job and only 19 percent, fewer than ever before, approve of how he is handling the economy, according to the poll, conducted nationwide by telephone Jan. 14-19.

Approval of foreign policy declined to 48 percent, the lowest figure since the start of the Bush presidency.

Among registered voters, only 38 percent of those surveyed said they would probably vote for Bush against an unnamed Democratic challenger.

Forty-three percent said they would vote for a Democratic candidate.

The CBS poll reported that 19 percent of respondents approve of the way Bush is handling the economy.

Bush's overall job-performance rating is well below that of both Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter at similar points in their presidencies.

Reagan, in January 1984, scored 57 percent and Carter, in January 1980, scored 52 percent. The poll comprised 2,897 Americans and the margin of error was plus or minus two percentage points.