NEW YORK, 23 December 2003 — The capture of Saddam Hussein had a minimal effect on President George W. Bush’s approval ratings, which are hovering at their lowest levels since he took office in January 2001, according to a poll published yesterday.

The Harris Poll, conducted before and after the ousted Iraqi leader’s capture on Dec. 13, found only a slight improvement in the president’s ratings, up from 48 percent positive, 51 percent negative, to 50 percent positive, 49 percent negative. They were the worst monthly ratings Harris has reported for the president since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of two years ago, and the highest negative ratings since he took office.

The big ratings winners from Saddam’s capture were some of the senior members of Bush’s Cabinet. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s positive rating climbed from 47 percent to 57 percent, and Attorney General John Ashcroft’s approval was up from 41 percent to 51 percent.