This November 8, 2004 file photo shows US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld addressing reporters at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A majority of Americans want Rumsfeld to step down, according to a poll released, as the Pentagon chief faces a barrage of criticism over his handling of the Iraq war. (AFP/file)

A majority of Americans want Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to step down, according to a poll released, as the Pentagon chief faces a barrage of criticism over his handling of the Iraq war.

The CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows 52 percent of Americans surveyed want Rumsfeld to resign, while only 36 percent say the embattled defense secretary should remain at the post he has held since 2001.

His approval rating has dropped from 71 percent in April 2003, when Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was toppled, to 41 percent in the new poll.

Rumsfeld has come under fire on a range of issues from prisoner abuse in Iraq to his alleged insensitivity to equipment problems plaguing US troops. He faced new heat after reports he used a machine to sign his condolence letters to families of soldiers killed in Iraq.

Despite mounting criticism from US lawmakers, including fellow Republicans, President George W. Bush defended Rumsfeld during a news conference Monday, saying the Pentagon chief was doing "a really fine job" and would stay on.

Bush undertook a cabinet shake-up after his November 2 re-election, but he decided to keep Rumsfeld in his administration for his second term.

The president's popularity has also fallen, from 55 percent in November to 49 percent now, according to the poll.

"Bush is the first incumbent president to have an approval rating below 50 percent one month after winning re-election," CNN said.

On Iraq, 47 percent of Americans say the situation in the war-wracked country has worsened during the past year, while 20 percent say it has improved.

Only 15 percent believe US troops will leave the country a year after Iraq's January 30 elections.

The telephone poll was conducted among 1,002 people between Friday and Sunday. Depending on the question, the margin of error ranges between three and 4.5 percentage points.

(Agencies)

under fire: （受攻击）