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bottomline
Citizen
Username: Bottomline
Post Number: 408
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 10:28 am: | 
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Here’s a cute little story I just found on Foxnews.com
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Bush, GOP Approval Ratings Hit New Lows
Friday, April 07, 2006
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Bush's approval ratings hit a series of new lows in an AP-Ipsos poll that also shows Republicans surrendering their advantage on national security — grim election-year news for a party struggling to stay in power.
Democratic leaders predicted they will seize control of one or both chambers of Congress in November. Republicans said they feared the worst unless the political landscape quickly changes.
"These numbers are scary. We've lost every advantage we've ever had," GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio said. "The good news is Democrats don't have much of a plan. The bad news is they may not need one."
There is more at stake than the careers of GOP lawmakers. A Democratic-led Congress could bury the last vestiges of Bush's legislative agenda and subject the administration to high-profile investigations of the Iraq war, the CIA leak case, warrantless eavesdropping and other matters.
In the past two congressional elections, Republicans gained seats on the strength of Bush's popularity and a perception among voters that the GOP was stronger on national security than Democrats.
Those advantages are gone, according to a survey of 1,003 adults conducted this week for The Associated Press by Ipsos, an international polling firm.
Just 36 percent of the public approves of Bush's job performance, his lowest-ever rating in AP-Ipsos polling. By contrast, the president's job approval rating was 47 percent among likely voters just before Election Day 2004 and a whopping 64 percent among registered voters in October 2002.
Only 40 percent of the public approves of Bush's performance on foreign policy and the war on terror, another low-water mark for his presidency. That's down 9 points from a year ago. Just before the 2002 election, 64 percent of registered voters backed Bush on terror and foreign policy.
Just 35 percent of the public approves of Bush's handling of Iraq, his lowest in AP-Ipsos polling.
"He's in over his head," said Diane Heller, 65, a Pleasant Valley, N.Y., real estate broker and independent voter.
As bad as Bush's numbers may be, Congress' are worse. Just 30 percent of the public approves of the GOP-led Congress' job performance, and Republicans seem to be shouldering the blame.
By a 49-33 margin, the public favors Democrats over Republicans when asked which party should control Congress. That 16-point Democratic advantage is the largest the party has enjoyed in AP-Ipsos polling.
On an issue the GOP has dominated for decades, Republicans are now locked in a tie with Democrats — 41 percent each — on the question of which party people trust to protect the country. Democrats made their biggest national security gains among young men, according to the AP-Ipsos poll, which had a 3 percentage point margin of error.
The public gives Democrats a slight edge on what party would best handle Iraq, a reversal from Election Day 2004.
"We're in an exceptionally challenging electoral environment," said Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, a former GOP strategist. "We start off on a battlefield today that is tilted in their direction, and that's when you have to use the advantages you have."
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2811
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
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To beat SOutherner to the punch,
Who cares? The election is not taking place right now. So it doesn't matter what people think. All that matters is how they vote. And the Republicans will find a way to make the Democrats look bad between now and the election (if the Dems don't implode on their own), so all will be right in the world.
Remember, it's not about Right and Wrong. It's about Right and Left. |
llama
Citizen
Username: Llama
Post Number: 758
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 11:37 am: |
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I agree, when it comes to elections, most Americans ARE STUPID!!! |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1625
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Oh sh*t, the Republicans better start another war to get their approval ratings higher, the last one (or does Afghanistan count as two???) didn't work out as planned. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4696
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 11:51 am: |
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might be time for an orange alert. Or just wait for Diebold to ride to the rescue. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1627
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
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Or maybe they could try to float some anti-gay legislation, that is always good for the polls.
Look at me over here helping out the Republicans for a change. Go figure. Anyone else want to provide some fresh ideas to help the Republicans turn around their dwindling approval ratings? Maybe we can help them retain some seats in the impending elections. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4705
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 2:32 pm: |
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Well race-baiting worked for Bush senior. Haven't seen much of that lately, it might still play well in the south. |
Project 37
Citizen
Username: Project37
Post Number: 46
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 3:02 pm: |
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Doesn't a story with that headline come out on Reuters every other week? |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 879
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 3:34 pm: |
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Alley,
Have you not learned anything from the past. After all the dust settles and the polls are closed the Republicans will still control Congress. However, I love seeing you libs relive 2004 all over again. I'll sit back and watch, but will be proud to make my customary posts the day after the elections. I notice the smart libs aren't making such grand statements. They obviously realize that hot air doesn't necessarily translate into seats. And seats is all I care about. You libs will once again be dumbfounded with election results. I can't wait. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2817
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 3:45 pm: |
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OK, not verbatim, but I think I got the gist of it right... |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1635
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 3:56 pm: |
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Southerner, I'm not a betting man, so I'm unwilling to put my money where my mouth is. But I am a man of honor (well...I try to be more often than not...just don't always succeed). What may I ask will you do if you are wrong and the Republicans do lose the majority? Would it be asking for too much of me to suggest that you issue us all an apology for having to listen to you endless drivel like a broken record here on MOL?
I'd be happy to do the same, but I don't remember spouting off ad nauseum about how the Democrats are going to win tons of seats. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 881
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 6:06 pm: |
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Alley,
I've said many times that if the Dems take back Congress that I will come on this board and say congratulations. See, I like the game of politics and the struggles for these individuals and parties to get to where they are. I also promise that I won't whine and moan for 2 years because the Dems won. If they won that means the people elected them and who am I to challenge the will of the electorate. See, a little secret is that I am not near the neo-con most of you paint me as. I simply oppose those who don't allow the duly elected officials to govern free from constant harassment. I was no fan of the conservatives when they beat Clinton to death. I am no fan of many of you who beat Bush to death. And if Congress goes Democratic then I will be no fan of conservatives who attack from day one.
Now don't get me wrong, I will work my tail off to get the Republicans back in power in 2008, but that doesn't necessarily mean I will attack the Dems. You see, the Republicans learned something from our decades out of power and that is attacking the incumbent isn't always the best path to success. That is why I am very confident the Repubs will not lose enough seats to lose power. Now, if the Dems come out with a version of the "Contract with America" in the next few months and it actually takes hold, then I will be very worried. However, the current state of a new Bush bash each week only adds to the monotone drumbeat of criticism which most Americans have grown immune to. This is my chicken little theory.
Only time will tell who is right. Either way, I will be here, but no I won't apologize for anything. Alley, did you want an apology from those who said Gore would win? Or Kerry? Or the last several Congressional races? Come on, this is a big boy sport. I don't need apologies from you and I sure won't be giving any. All of you were wrong on Rove and Cheney resigning and or getting indicted. I haven't screamed for an apology. If I'm wrong, I will say good luck to the Dems and move forward at trying to regain those lost seats in 2008. Luckily, I don't think that will happen no matter how many polls you show me.
Alley, I know you are not a wing nut. But, you seem to insist on things from me while not insisting on them from the wingnuts on your side. You say I post the same stuff yet you don't mention Foj, themp, tulip, and others who post the same anti-Bush threads every week. Why don't you insist on them keeping quiet? |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2782
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 6:13 pm: |
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But you seem to be a victory-obsessed nihilist without any core values or ideas. And deliberately or not you come across as a bitter, vindictive emotional dwarf with an 8th grader's vanity and abrupt agression.
So folks sort of hate you. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1638
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 7:13 pm: |
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'cause they are my peeps? |
kenney
Citizen
Username: Kenney
Post Number: 766
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 7:32 pm: |
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http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
things are going so bad.
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Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1909
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 8:15 pm: |
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Kenney:
Just another perspective on the content of your link.
As a number of economists and analysts point out, the majority of the jobs are in the low-paid service sectors, leisure and hospitality, retail trades, and health and health care (think chamber maids, bellhops, home health aides, sales associates at Wal-Mart). We're not creating that many high-paying jobs. A few billionaires and millionaires thrown into the mix will skew the stats all to hell.
In addition, the text says:
"Nearly 1.5 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) were marginally at-
tached to the labor force in March, slightly less than a year earlier. These
individuals wanted and were available for work and had looked for a job some-
time in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they
had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey."
There's another view: the Federal Reserve (see articles in today's WSJ and NYT) has now released the summary of its 2004 survey of consumer finances.
Here is an interesting result from the survey: among families headed by people aged 35-44, 11.7 percent said they had been overdue by more than two months on debt payments during the previous year, almost twice as many as during the previous survey. And the 2004 survey came at a time when home prices were soaring and the economy booming.
And the economy is booming because people are encouraged, even enabled, to disregard caution and drive themselves into debt by reckless spending. Come to think of it, that's just like the government under the Bush administration.
And none of that is real economic growth---because once there is a change in interest rates in the wrong direction, both individual consumers and our government's debt will be hung out to dry, a significant risk in the two years ahead of us. |
kenney
Citizen
Username: Kenney
Post Number: 770
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 8:23 pm: |
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and i thought job growth was a good thing.--thanks for setting me straight innis. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13503
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 8:44 pm: |
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Southerner wrote: You see, the Republicans learned something from our decades out of power and that is attacking the incumbent isn't always the best path to success.
Where can we see evidence of this?
Speaking of bets, Ed May bet me $20 that Forester would win the gubernatorial race. I haven't seen him in a long time. Has anyone seen him?
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Foj
Citizen
Username: Foger
Post Number: 1101
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 8:49 pm: |
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"They were not counted as unemployed because they
had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey."
Thats a real world survey.
NOT. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 884
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 9:35 pm: |
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themp,
I don't care. If you are truly trying to save the world then this board isn't the place to be. If you don't like my posts then just don't read them and don't respond. Or do you not have enough self restraint? I personally don't hate you and enjoy the banter. I think you are wrong but I have no problem with you being wrong. I really do get some nice chuckles from yours and others deathly fear of Bush and Republicans. It tells me they are doing a lot of things right. |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1910
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 9:58 pm: |
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Southerner:
You sly, silent one.
When are you either going to accept or reject my firm offer to fund three credits of a European history course for you at an accredited college of your choice?
All I want is for your posts to make sense and to sound as though you have a knowledge base driving them.
The benefit is definitely for you. The funding is on me.
But no word from you.
Is education not necessary or desirable for whatever you do? |
Innisowen
Citizen
Username: Innisowen
Post Number: 1911
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 10:04 pm: |
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Kenney:
Maybe in Kenneyworld an increase in low-pay service jobs vs a decrease in knowledge worker jobs counts as a good thing.
In the world of most people, when that happens, it's backwards movement and the absence of progress.
Where do you live? Tierra del Fuego? |
Foj
Citizen
Username: Foger
Post Number: 1107
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 7, 2006 - 11:11 pm: |
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SO let me see if I got it straight -
If Joe worker goes from a 45k job to driving a taxi for 25k, Joe will be paying less in taxes? And if a lot of people experience the same downward movement as Joe, that would lower Federal tax revenues, right?
Now ya know that the SATs are a Socialist ploy----- |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5520
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 - 10:28 am: |
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Aren't the majority of jobs always in the low-wage sector? There used to be a lot more manufacturing jobs until modernization and automation took them away though we still manufacture in the US (yes, it's true). |
Twokitties
Citizen
Username: Twokitties
Post Number: 420
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 8:51 am: |
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The latest ...
Bush's Job Approval Rating Continues to Swoon
Forty-Seven Percent of Americans 'Strongly' Disapprove of Handling of the Presidency
By Richard Morin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 10, 2006; 7:15 AM
Political reversals at home and continued bad news from Iraq have dragged President Bush's standing with the public to a new low and boosted Democratic chances of wresting control of Congress from Republicans in the November elections, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.
The new survey found that 38 percent of the public approved of the job Bush is doing as president, down 3 percentage points in the past month and his worst showing in Post-ABC polling on this key measure since he became president. Sixty percent disapproved of his performance.
Bush's overall job approval has remained below 50 percent for nearly a year while the proportion of the public critical of the president consistently has topped 50 percent. And perhaps more ominously for the president, 47 percent say they "strongly" disapproved of Bush's handling of the presidency--more than double the percentage who strongly approved (20 percent) and the second straight month that the proportion of Americans intensely critical of the president was larger than his overall job approval rating.
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