Bush hits new approval low

[Laz]

Bush at low point, GOP support weakens

Concerns by some party loyalists could impact congressional elections
President Bush thanks supporters after speaking at a fundraiser dinner for the Georgia Republican Party Thursday night in College Park, Ga.

Updated: 10:49 a.m. ET March 10, 2006

WASHINGTON - More and more people, even more Republicans, disapprove of President Bush’s performance, question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism, according to an AP-Ipsos poll documenting one of the bleakest points of his presidency.

Nearly four out of five Americans, including 70 percent of Republicans, believe civil war will break out in Iraq — the bloody hot spot upon which Bush has staked his presidency. Nearly 70 percent of people say the U.S. is on the wrong track, a 6-point jump since February.

“I’m not happy with how things are going,” said Margaret Campanelli, a retiree in Norwich, Conn., who said she tends to vote GOP. “I’m particularly not happy with Iraq, not happy with how things worked with Hurricane Katrina.”

Republican Party leaders said the survey explains why GOP lawmakers are rushing to distance themselves from Bush on a range of issues — port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade, for example.

The positioning is most intense among Republicans facing election in November and those considering 2008 presidential campaigns.

“You’re in the position of this cycle now that is difficult anyway. In second term off-year elections, there gets to be a familiarity factor,” said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a potential presidential candidate.

“People have seen and heard (Bush’s) ideas long enough and that enters into their thinking. People are kind of, ‘Well, I wonder what other people can do,”’ he said.


Lowest approval of presidency

The poll suggests that most Americans wonder whether Bush is up to the job. The survey, conducted Monday through Wednesday of 1,000 people, found that just 37 percent approve of his overall performance. That is the lowest of his presidency.

Bush’s job approval among Republicans fell from 82 percent in February to 74 percent, a dangerous sign in a midterm election year when parties rely on enthusiasm from their most loyal voters.

Bush’s approval among men dropped from 49 percent last month to 41 percent this month, and the drop was especially pronounced among those men without a college education. The biggest losses were among white males.

By comparison, Presidents Clinton and Reagan had public approval in the mid 60s at this stage of their second terms in office, while Eisenhower was close to 60 percent, according to Gallup polls. Nixon, who was increasingly tangled up in the Watergate scandal, was in the high 20s in early 1974.

On issues, Bush’s approval rating declined from 39 percent to 36 percent for his handling of domestic affairs and from 47 percent to 43 percent on foreign policy and terrorism. His approval ratings for dealing with the economy and Iraq held steady, but still hovered around 40 percent.

Likable, dependable, strong?

Personally, far fewer Americans consider Bush likable, honest, strong and dependable than they did just after his re-election campaign.

About six in 10 said Bush is likable, up slightly from 52 percent in November, and slightly lower than 63 percent in August. In August, 50 percent of Democrats found Bush likable, while 28 percent said that in November and now it’s at 38 percent.

Almost half, 46 percent, said Bush is dependable, down from 55 percent in August. Not quite half of men, said Bush is dependable, down from 62 percent in August. A third of minorities said Bush is dependable, down from 44 percent in August.

Fifty-seven percent said Bush is strong, down from 64 percent in August. The drop was especially large among young men, age 18-24, who went from 71 percent in August to 59 percent now. Just over half of older women, 53 percent, said Bush is strong, compared with 66 percent in August. And 84 percent of Republicans say Bush is strong, compared with 91 percent in August.

Poor marks for Congress

The AP-Ipsos poll, which has a margin of error of 3 percentage points, gives Republicans reason to worry that they may inherit Bush’s political woes. Two-thirds of the public disapproves of how the GOP-led Congress is handling its job and a surprising 53 percent of Republicans give Congress poor marks.

“Obviously, it’s the winter of our discontent,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

By a 47-36 margin, people favor Democrats over Republicans when they are asked who should control Congress.

[Chiefs Express]

Bush at low point, GOP support weakens

Concerns by some party loyalists could impact congressional elections
President Bush thanks supporters after speaking at a fundraiser dinner for the Georgia Republican Party Thursday night in College Park, Ga.

Updated: 10:49 a.m. ET March 10, 2006

WASHINGTON - More and more people, even more Republicans, disapprove of President Bush’s performance, question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism, according to an AP-Ipsos poll documenting one of the bleakest points of his presidency.

Nearly four out of five Americans, including 70 percent of Republicans, believe civil war will break out in Iraq — the bloody hot spot upon which Bush has staked his presidency. Nearly 70 percent of people say the U.S. is on the wrong track, a 6-point jump since February.

“I’m not happy with how things are going,” said Margaret Campanelli, a retiree in Norwich, Conn., who said she tends to vote GOP. “I’m particularly not happy with Iraq, not happy with how things worked with Hurricane Katrina.”

Republican Party leaders said the survey explains why GOP lawmakers are rushing to distance themselves from Bush on a range of issues — port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade, for example.

The positioning is most intense among Republicans facing election in November and those considering 2008 presidential campaigns.

“You’re in the position of this cycle now that is difficult anyway. In second term off-year elections, there gets to be a familiarity factor,” said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a potential presidential candidate.

“People have seen and heard (Bush’s) ideas long enough and that enters into their thinking. People are kind of, ‘Well, I wonder what other people can do,”’ he said.


Lowest approval of presidency

The poll suggests that most Americans wonder whether Bush is up to the job. The survey, conducted Monday through Wednesday of 1,000 people, found that just 37 percent approve of his overall performance. That is the lowest of his presidency.

Bush’s job approval among Republicans fell from 82 percent in February to 74 percent, a dangerous sign in a midterm election year when parties rely on enthusiasm from their most loyal voters.

Bush’s approval among men dropped from 49 percent last month to 41 percent this month, and the drop was especially pronounced among those men without a college education. The biggest losses were among white males.

By comparison, Presidents Clinton and Reagan had public approval in the mid 60s at this stage of their second terms in office, while Eisenhower was close to 60 percent, according to Gallup polls. Nixon, who was increasingly tangled up in the Watergate scandal, was in the high 20s in early 1974.

On issues, Bush’s approval rating declined from 39 percent to 36 percent for his handling of domestic affairs and from 47 percent to 43 percent on foreign policy and terrorism. His approval ratings for dealing with the economy and Iraq held steady, but still hovered around 40 percent.

Likable, dependable, strong?

Personally, far fewer Americans consider Bush likable, honest, strong and dependable than they did just after his re-election campaign.

About six in 10 said Bush is likable, up slightly from 52 percent in November, and slightly lower than 63 percent in August. In August, 50 percent of Democrats found Bush likable, while 28 percent said that in November and now it’s at 38 percent.

Almost half, 46 percent, said Bush is dependable, down from 55 percent in August. Not quite half of men, said Bush is dependable, down from 62 percent in August. A third of minorities said Bush is dependable, down from 44 percent in August.

Fifty-seven percent said Bush is strong, down from 64 percent in August. The drop was especially large among young men, age 18-24, who went from 71 percent in August to 59 percent now. Just over half of older women, 53 percent, said Bush is strong, compared with 66 percent in August. And 84 percent of Republicans say Bush is strong, compared with 91 percent in August.

Poor marks for Congress

The AP-Ipsos poll, which has a margin of error of 3 percentage points, gives Republicans reason to worry that they may inherit Bush’s political woes. Two-thirds of the public disapproves of how the GOP-led Congress is handling its job and a surprising 53 percent of Republicans give Congress poor marks.

“Obviously, it’s the winter of our discontent,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

By a 47-36 margin, people favor Democrats over Republicans when they are asked who should control Congress.

Your article smacks of partisan commentary.

I guess if you ask 73 democrats who should be running congress and get a 47-36 margin I'd be pretty concerned if I were a democrat.

I've been approached about being questioned about a poll regarding the president, the first question they asked was regarding my party affiliation. When I said republican they asked me 4 questions. When they asked my wife and she replied democrat they asked her 12 questions. My gut feeling is that the polls are operated to get the outcome that the pollsters want. Accuracy of the public opinion seems to be judged by party affiliation.

[banyon]

Your article smacks of partisan commentary.

I guess if you ask 73 democrats who should be running congress and get a 47-36 margin I'd be pretty concerned if I were a democrat.

I've been approached about being questioned about a poll regarding the president, the first question they asked was regarding my party affiliation. When I said republican they asked me 4 questions. When they asked my wife and she replied democrat they asked her 12 questions. My gut feeling is that the polls are operated to get the outcome that the pollsters want. Accuracy of the public opinion seems to be judged by party affiliation.

Obviously all polling is biased against Republicans. :shake:

[|Zach|]

Your article smacks of partisan commentary.

I guess if you ask 73 democrats who should be running congress and get a 47-36 margin I'd be pretty concerned if I were a democrat.

I've been approached about being questioned about a poll regarding the president, the first question they asked was regarding my party affiliation. When I said republican they asked me 4 questions. When they asked my wife and she replied democrat they asked her 12 questions. My gut feeling is that the polls are operated to get the outcome that the pollsters want. Accuracy of the public opinion seems to be judged by party affiliation.
They didn't ask you what your name was did they? That could be quite a cluster**** and quite a job for the poller.

[penchief]

Your article smacks of partisan commentary.

I guess if you ask 73 democrats who should be running congress and get a 47-36 margin I'd be pretty concerned if I were a democrat.

I've been approached about being questioned about a poll regarding the president, the first question they asked was regarding my party affiliation. When I said republican they asked me 4 questions. When they asked my wife and she replied democrat they asked her 12 questions. My gut feeling is that the polls are operated to get the outcome that the pollsters want. Accuracy of the public opinion seems to be judged by party affiliation.

Forget partisanship. Forget the logistics. Forget your cemented position. Can you honestly sit there and tell the world that this president isn't a major screw-up? Can you honestly tell the rest of us that you believe this White House is on the right track? Do you really believe that they have the best interests of America, as a whole, at heart moreso than the interest of their benefactors or their rigid ideology?

If you can do that in the face of the fact that this presidency has defiantly shit the bed so disasterously in so many ways that betray the history, tradition, and virtue of our country, then I must applaud your sheepdomhood. You are truly a Retrocon believer.

Not only that, you must be a true blue reactionary, as well.

[Chiefs Express]

Forget partisanship. Forget the logistics. Forget your cemented position. Can you honestly sit there and tell the world that this president isn't a major screw-up? Can you honestly tell the rest of us that you believe this White House is on the right track? Do you really believe that they have the best interests of America, as a whole, at heart moreso than the interest of their benefactors or their rigid ideology?

If you can do that in the face of the fact that this presidency has defiantly shit the bed so disasterously in so many ways that betray the history, tradition, and virtue of our country, then I must applaud your sheepdomhood. You are truly a Retrocon believer.

Not only that, you must be a true blue reactionary, as well.



As for the job the president is doing: He is neither the worst president we have had nor the worst. The judgement passed on him has been due to the liberals not having a substantial person to run against anyone for political office. There has been no other president in the history of this country that has had to defend against an enemy such as we have now. Whether or not you believe that Iraq is a mistake has no bearing on the current world situation.

What you have failed to realize is that your opinion is only that, your opinion. What the mainstream media has failed to realize is that virtually every soldier that comes home from Iraq is outraged by what is going on here, not because of the stories they are reporting, but the stories of what they are not reporting.

You can categorize me in any way you wish, but you will never be able to understand what I believe, and the shame of that is that you will never try. Talk about cemented.

[Chiefs Express]

Obviously all polling is biased against Republicans. :shake:

I didn't think you had the ability to read. I can prove that one poll was biased in the manner that they collected data. My guess is that every poll taken has an agenda to keep up with and the people that gather the information is well schooled in what information they need to bolster that agenda.

[listopencil]

Oh crap! I hope this doesn't cost him the next election...

[Taco John]

Cost him seats?

[listopencil]

Cost him seats?


No, I mean I hope his approval rating doesn't cost him the chance of being POTUS next time around. Note custom user text.

[banyon]

I didn't think you had the ability to read. I can prove that one poll was biased in the manner that they collected data. My guess is that every poll taken has an agenda to keep up with and the people that gather the information is well schooled in what information they need to bolster that agenda.

You didn't prove anything. The point of that poll might've been to identify the attitudes of Democrats, which would completely explain why they asked more questions of your wife.

[Chiefs Express]

You didn't prove anything. The point of that poll might've been to identify the attitudes of Democrats, which would completely explain why they asked more questions of your wife.

The point of the poll, it seems, is beyond your comprehension, but far be it from me to attempt to "prove a point" with personal experience.

Keep believing that all of the polls you read are actually factual and have some basis of reality.

:rolleyes:

[patteeu]

Forget partisanship. Forget the logistics. Forget your cemented position. Can you honestly sit there and tell the world that this president isn't a major screw-up? Can you honestly tell the rest of us that you believe this White House is on the right track? Do you really believe that they have the best interests of America, as a whole, at heart moreso than the interest of their benefactors or their rigid ideology?

If you can do that in the face of the fact that this presidency has defiantly shit the bed so disasterously in so many ways that betray the history, tradition, and virtue of our country, then I must applaud your sheepdomhood. You are truly a Retrocon believer.

Not only that, you must be a true blue reactionary, as well.

I can, minus the part about rigid ideology. I don't know how rigid the President's ideology is (I personally think he's too willing to compromise in some areas), but I think he pursues that ideology because he has the best interests of America as a whole at heart.

[go bowe]

I can, minus the part about rigid ideology. I don't know how rigid the President's ideology is (I personally think he's too willing to compromise in some areas), but I think he pursues that ideology because he has the best interests of America as a whole at heart.wow, true blue and everything? :p :p :p

[patteeu]

wow, true blue and everything? :p :p :p

The truest and bluest (2nd among current politicians only to Dick Cheney that is). :)

[alanm]

Do you really believe that they have the best interests of America, as a whole, at heart moreso than the interest of their benefactors or their rigid ideology? If you think the demoncrats are any different you're just deluding yourself. Even more so. :shake:

[penchief]

I can, minus the part about rigid ideology. I don't know how rigid the President's ideology is (I personally think he's too willing to compromise in some areas), but I think he pursues that ideology because he has the best interests of America as a whole at heart.

You may believe he is sincere. I may even agree with that. However, it seems that his idea of what is best for America, as a whole, is the imposing of his rigid ideology on everybody; even those who are hurt by his narrow vision.

After all, it is that narrow ideology that continues to bite our great country in the ass over and over again.

[banyon]

The point of the poll, it seems, is beyond your comprehension, but far be it from me to attempt to "prove a point" with personal experience.

Keep believing that all of the polls you read are actually factual and have some basis of reality.

:rolleyes:

I'm not sure why I'm bothering but you really didn't address my comment except for implying that I am stupid.

You didn't say in your original post that you knew the purpose of the polling, and it would be odd if you did, since you would've had to go out of your way to question the interviewer, and she would've had to want to explain it to you (assuming even she knew). So, it's entirely possible that the purpose of the poll was to identify Democratic attitudes and the other questions they asked you were for "control" purposes.

The power of a theory (in this case polling) is based on its predictive abilities. Following the polls, for example, you could've predicted that the Dubai Ports deal would fail. Polling was strongly against the deal. While there have been cases in history (e.g., "Dewey defeats Truman" and "Gore wins Florida", where exit polling has been mistaken, the vast majority of the time the polling has predicted the winner. Entire branches of study (political science, sociology) are fundamentally in part based on polling having predictive value.

When you accuse me of "fine go ahead and believe that polls are accurate", you are going against the tide of evidence that shows that polling is a valuable asset. It's the opposite of the 9-11 thread. You are the conspiracist this time (not intended as a pejorative), so you will excuse me if I "Keep believing that all of the polls you read are actually factual and have some basis of reality." Certainly some have biases and are demonstrable. But in those cases the problems can be identified. It's bad policy to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[Ugly Duck]

This guy is one of the biggest flops in the history of the country - even Republicans are now finally admitting it. Oh sure, there will always be the occasional hardhead every now and then that will simply refuse to admit they were wrong no matter what. But there is an undeniable growing concensus on the dufocity of the Bushron admin. This little tidbit from a poll 5 months ago just cracks me up!

Special to washingtonpost.com
Thursday, October 13, 2005; 3:09 PM

In what may turn out to be one of the biggest free-falls in the history of presidential polling, President Bush's job-approval rating among African Americans has dropped to 2 percent, according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll.

Tim Russert called attention to this startling statistic on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams yesterday: "Brian, listen to this," he said. "Only 2 percent -- 2 percent! -- of African-Americans approve of George Bush's handling of the presidency -- the lowest we have ever seen in that particular measure."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2005/10/13/BL2005101300885.html

[banyon]

I didn't think you had the ability to read. I can prove that one poll was biased in the manner that they collected data. My guess is that every poll taken has an agenda to keep up with and the people that gather the information is well schooled in what information they need to bolster that agenda.

BTW, if every poll is f'ed up, then why do they all look so similar?

Just coincidence? or is it that consistent methodology yields consistent results?

[Chiefs Express]

I'm not sure why I'm bothering but you really didn't address my comment except for implying that I am stupid.



I didn't say that you are stupid, if you want to read something into what I said that is purely your choice.

[Chiefs Express]

BTW, if every poll is f'ed up, then why do they all look so similar?

Just coincidence? or is it that consistent methodology yields consistent results?

According to your poll results posted one might think that the president would not be reelectable. The other party must have really had a candidate that sucked more than Bush! Yep, the polls really mean something.

[banyon]

I didn't say that you are stupid, if you want to read something into what I said that is purely your choice.

you said "The point of the poll, it seems, is beyond your comprehension"

Now what else could "beyond my comprehension" mean?

At least own up to your words.


It is interesting and predictable that you have chosen to focus on the personal aspect of this discussion rather than the substance of what I said about polling (an idea!).

[Laz]

you said "The point of the poll, it seems, is beyond your comprehension"

Now what else could "beyond my comprehension" mean?

At least own up to your words.


It is interesting and predictable that you have chosen to focus on the personal aspect of this discussion rather than the substance of what I said about polling (an idea!).

it's his SOP


snap at someone ... take a indirect personal shot at them

then when the person snaps back he feigns indignity and tries to perch himself up on some kind of moral pedestal.


passive aggressive, bait and switch sort of tactic


thank goodness i have him on iggy. :D

[banyon]

According to your poll results posted one might think that the president would not be reelectable. The other party must have really had a candidate that sucked more than Bush! Yep, the polls really mean something.

You missed the point. That's a historic regression of multiple polls about Bush's approval ratings. If each poll were biased in some way, then the results would be al over the place and nottogether. Unless you believe that they are all in a conspiracy together.