Washington, Nov. 4 (Reuters): For the first time in his presidency, a majority of Americans questioned President George W. Bush’s personal integrity as his approval ratings on key issues fell to new lows in an ABC News/Washington Post poll published yesterday.

Fewer than half ? 40 per cent ? said Bush was honest and trustworthy. Separately, 67 per cent rated his handling of ethics in government negatively and fewer than half called him a strong leader, another first.

Sixty per cent of Americans disapproved of his overall job performance, which ABC said was “a level unseen since recession chased his father (George Bush) from office.” That compared with a 39 per cent approval rating. Even in his own party, just under half of Republicans ? 49 per cent ? now strongly approve of Bush's job performance.