WASHINGTON -- Public approval of President Bush has dipped to a new low in the Associated Press-Ipsos poll.

The survey, released yesterday, showed 28 percent approve of the overall job Bush is doing, the low number driven by dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy.

His previous low in the poll was 30 percent last month and in February. The difference is within the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Only 27 percent are happy with his job on the economy. That was worse than his previous low of 29 percent approval for handling the economy set in February, and down 4 percentage points from last month.

Congress was rated positively by 23 percent, a point above its worst mark. It has been mired in poor ratings since last summer, with many Democrats complaining it has not challenged Bush strenuously enough on Iraq and other issues and Republicans generally unhappy with its Democratic leaders.

Highlighting Bush's broad unpopularity, 60 percent of Republicans approved of his overall job, his weakest showing yet with members of his own party. Just 7 percent of Democrats and 17 percent of independents approve.

On the economy, 54 percent of Republicans approve of Bush's efforts, another low.

His approval by all adults for handling domestic matters fell 7 points to 27 percent. His ratings for dealing with Iraq and other foreign-policy issues were low but stable.

Twenty-four percent said the country is heading in the right direction, about the same gloomy assessment the public has had for months.