Mayor Nickels' approval ratings upside down

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels (D), who plans to seek re-election in 2009, has the approval of just one in three voters. A Survey USA poll finds that Nickel has an approval rating of 34 to 54 percent. Even among Democrats, only 38 percent approve while 50 percent disapprove. His numbers are worst among independents who disapprove by 26 to 61 percent.

The mayor has a net negative rating on his handling of the budget, law enforcement, and city services, but a slightly positive rating on his handling of city parks. By wide margins, residents say that traffic and the quality of life in the city are getting worse.