Several things to note in a new Gallup poll. First, the survey shows a dip in the favorable rating of the Republican party. Gallup respondents gave the GOP a 46-45 favorable/unfavorable rating — the party’s lowest since February 1999, when it had a 45-46 favorable/unfavorable rating. Democrats are faring better at the moment, with the party receiving a 52-38 favorable/unfavorable rating — its best since August 2004.

Next, the poll shows that those surveyed have a 46-13 favorable/unfavorable opinion of John Roberts. Fifty-nine percent said they would like to see Roberts confirmed, versus 22 percent who said they do not want him confirmed, and 19 percent who have no opinion. The pro-confirmation numbers are better than those for Ruth Bader Ginsburg in June 1993.

Karl Rove is in reverse territory on the approval question, with a 25-34 favorable/unfavorable rating, although it should be noted that, even after all the Beltway storm surrounding him, 41 percent of those surveyed either have never heard of Rove or have no opinion about him. Despite that relative ignorance, 40 percent say Rove should be fired, versus 39 percent who say he shouldn’t, and 21 percent who have no opinion.

Bush’s job approval rating remains the same, at 49-48 approve/disapprove, as the last Gallup poll two weeks ago. With one possibly fluky exception in February, when he hit 57 percent approval, Bush’s job approval has not been significantly higher since last year’s election.

On another poll question that has been noted lately, 54 percent of those surveyed say the words “honest” and “trustworthy” apply to Bush, while 44 percent say they do not apply. Bush’s numbers in that area have been slowly slipping for quite a while — not surprising for a president who was up for re-election and under constant attack from the opposition — from a high point of 77 percent in April 2002. Bill Clinton’s “honest” and “trustworthy” numbers were in the mid-40s well before the Lewinsky scandal, when they dropped another ten points.