WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A new CBS poll finds President Bush's job approval rating has hit a record low with only 37 percent giving him positive marks.
Bush's Approval Rating Falls to New Low By RON FOURNIER, AP Political Writer Friday, March 10, 2006 from YAHOO NEWS
WASHINGTON - More and more people, particularly 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.
"Obviously, it's the winter of our discontent," said Rep. Tom Cole (news, bio, voting record), R-Okla.
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 (news, bio, voting record), 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.
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 plummeted 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. The biggest losses were among white males.
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.
Personally, far fewer Americans consider Bush likable, honest, strong and dependable than they did just after his re-election campaign.
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.
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.
By a 47-36 margin, people favor Democrats over Republicans when they are asked who should control Congress.
While the gap worries Republicans, it does not automatically translate into GOP defeats in November, when voters will face a choice between local candidates rather than considering Congress as a whole.
In addition, strategists in both parties agree that a divided and undisciplined Democratic Party has failed to seize full advantage of Republican troubles.
"While I don't dispute the fact that we have challenges in the current environment politically, I also believe 2006 as a choice election offers Republicans an opportunity if we make sure the election is framed in a way that will keep our majorities in the House and the Senate," said Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Stung by criticism, senior officials at the White House and the RNC are reminding GOP members of Congress that Bush's approval ratings may be low, but theirs is lower and have declined at the same pace as Bush's. The message to GOP lawmakers is that criticizing the president weakens him and them politically.
"When issue like the internal Republican debate over the ports dominates the news it puts us another day away from all of us figuring out what policies we need to win," said Terry Nelson, a Republican consultant and political director for Bush's re-election campaign in 2004.
Bowing to ferocious opposition in Congress, a Dubai-owned company on Thursday abandoned its quest to take over operations at several U.S. ports. Bush had pledged to veto any attempt to block the transaction, pitting him against Republicans in Congress and most voters.
All this has Republican voters like Walter Wright of Fairfax Station, Va., worried for their party.
"We've gotten so carried away I wouldn't be surprised to see the Democrats take it because of discontent," he said. "People vote for change and hope for the best."
Posted by bond006 on :
If you think it is low now if he screws up Iran ,that will take him down quick and put our country in a bad spot. God help us if the relegios right stats to go crazy you know over issues like there sons and daughters starting to be conscripted this country will just fly apart at the seems. As I am told by them at work and my neighbors there children are special and God needs them here to do his work in America Posted by Team Sleep on :
quote:Originally posted by bond006: If you think it is low now if he screws up Iran ,that will take him down quick and put our country in a bad spot. God help us if the relegios right stats to go crazy you know over issues like there sons and daughters starting to be conscripted this country will just fly apart at the seems. As I am told by them at work and my neighbors there children are special and God needs them here to do his work in America
Huh?
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
Iran really has WMDs.
Posted by Team Sleep on :
Could Muslim radicals be considered WMD's?
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
Good question. Could Christian radicals be considered WMD's?
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
In case I was misunderstood, I was being sarcastic when I said Iran really has WMD's.
Posted by Team Sleep on :
Possibly, it depends on how you define WMD's...
While radical Christians can cause spiritual and emotional destruction, radical Muslims not only cause the same, but cause physical destruction too - the loss of life.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
Radical Christians have been known to cause physical destruction as well. Granted, it's not as common.
Posted by Team Sleep on :
I agree. But not even close to the scale as the radical Muslims.
A Baptist may berate you but at least they won't slit your throat.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
True. They may bomb your local abortion clinic or stone your gay son to death, however.
Posted by bdgee on :
quote:Originally posted by Gordon Bennett: True. They may bomb your local abortion clinic or stone your gay son to death, however.
Or blow up a Federal Building here and there.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
Yeah, that too.
Posted by bond006 on :
Yeah, This is how they act when things are going there way elction, laws starting to change,and feeling devine and right. Wait until it starts to unravel and they get there noses rubbed in it good. Then you will see the same type of person that came back from a cursade with his sword good and bloodied and all the loot he could carry and said the lord gave it to him. With the same big stupid grinn on his face that our President has
Posted by bond006 on :
I can't wait to see the R/R get the carpet yanked right out from under them. And watch them turn on each other oh yeah I have seen it before on a small scale and it ain't pretty
Posted by Team Sleep on :
I don't disagree a good many atrocities have been committed in the name of Christ.
But those butchers couldn't be true Christians, even if they thought they were. The Bible advocates no such activity or action, whereas the Koran clearly calls for and advocates violence.
Violence is not preached in true Christian churches, whereas violence is encouraged in the Mosques.
What the "religious right" and the "moral majority" don't get is that they are their own worst enemy!!! And they have done more damage and hurt to the cause of Christ than all the evil that goes on in the world...
Posted by glassman on :
quote:Originally posted by bond006: Yeah, This is how they act when things are going there way elction, laws starting to change,and feeling devine and right. Wait until it starts to unravel and they get there noses rubbed in it good. Then you will see the same type of person that came back from a cursade with his sword good and bloodied and all the loot he could carry and said the lord gave it to him. With the same big stupid grinn on his face that our President has
man, ain't that the truth.....
Posted by Team Sleep on :
How do you post an image? I just got a good one...
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
There's nothing quite so hypocritical as an Evangelical Christian criticizing the Qur'an for (allegedly) advocating indiscriminate violence. In order to participate in this exercise in self-delusion, one not only has to turn a blind-eye to the unambiguous views of 1,400 years of mainstream Islamic scholarship, but it's necessary to pass over quite a number of explicit verses in the Bible and large portions of Christian history as well.
I couldn't agree more.
quote:Originally posted by Team Sleep: I don't disagree a good many atrocities have been committed in the name of Christ.
But those butchers couldn't be true Christians, even if they thought they were. The Bible advocates no such activity or action, whereas the Koran clearly calls for and advocates violence.
Violence is not preached in true Christian churches, whereas violence is encouraged in the Mosques.
What the "religious right" and the "moral majority" don't get is that they are their own worst enemy!!! And they have done more damage and hurt to the cause of Christ than all the evil that goes on in the world...
Posted by Team Sleep on :
So where are these verses in the Bible that advocates indiscriminant killing based on race or religion?
Where's the back up on this statement?
Posted by bond006 on :
The organized Christian Church for the most part is very far from Christ and his teachings . If they were to follow the teachings of Christ they would have to do a complete make over that includes getting rid of all flags and voting booths and keeping politics and the matters of state off the agenda. And be concerned with the kimdom off God and loving your neighbor .
Posted by Team Sleep on :
I don't about the "getting rid of flags" stuff, but I agree that the mainstream Christian church is an utter and complete mess.
It needs more than a make-over. It's needs a complete overhaul. It needs to be shaken to it's foundation and rebuilt.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
quote:Originally posted by Team Sleep: So where are these verses in the Bible that advocates indiscriminant killing based on race or religion?
Where's the back up on this statement?
Posted by bond006 on :
The old testament is full off such killings some even justified the new testament is not
Posted by glassman on :
i had a discusiion with a serious bible thumper here just before the election and just after the GOP convention...
this is how the Christian right tried to rationalise the invasion AFTER it became clear there were no WMD.....
Kate Member
posted September 05, 2004 12:53
And what words of Jesus, would you be referring to Glassman? I sort of wonder where you are coming from, especially since I belong to a non-denominational Bible Church, that lives by the Word of God, Old AND new testaments, and the whole church pretty much feels the way that I do! I work at the election polls, and we live,there are around ninety percent Republicans, and for the most part, they ALL voted for Bush, and most of our Democrats did also! I am glad that people pray for me, I will never turn that down, but I would like to know to what you are referring to in the scriptures! The ones that I go by, are in the New Testament, Matthew 22: 37 to 40, the words of Jesus,"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets.
I consider anyone that isn't me, my neighbor! Anyone that is oppressed, starving, being tortured, bombed, raped, forced into slavery, these are my neighbors! Jesus commands us to love thy neighbor! How do we do this, by sitting by, and doing nothing, allowing them to live on in their ignorance,(I don't mean that offensively, but when people are tyrants and oppress you, you can't vote, you can't go to school,you don't have the opportunity to be educated, especially about the love of Jesus! How will they ever know? The Lord wants us to share the news of his love, grace, and salvation, with all four corners of the earth! Not just the ones on our small hunk of the earth, the USA! It isn't just about freeing the Iraqi people, it is also about showing them that there are people out there, that actually care about them. I believe that President Bush is trying to do this! As I said before, we will have to agree to disagree!
Kate Member
posted September 05, 2004 15:10
Hey, I only try to type the way I talk! Yes, Jesus was angry at the money changers! Why was he angry with them? I wonder what makes him angry today? War isn't pretty! No one likes war! God didn't like war, but he asked people to go to war! Joshua fought a great battle, and there were women and children killed, during the battle that God had commanded! Sometimes, we have to do what we have to do, to make things better in the end! Sometimes it is a matter of trying to stop the evil, and loosing a few, than not trying, and loosing a lot, especially when souls are involved! Not that we want to ever loose lives, but it is inevitable when we are fighting, not just evil people, but also principalities!
this part here is the most disturbing part IMO:
The Lord wants us to share the news of his love, grace, and salvation, with all four corners of the earth! Not just the ones on our small hunk of the earth, the USA! It isn't just about freeing the Iraqi people, it is also about showing them that there are people out there, that actually care about them. I believe that President Bush is trying to do this! As I said before, we will have to agree to disagree!
In addition, Hart says the poll shows that Americans dont dislike Bush as much as they dislike his policies. And so a change in policy especially regarding Iraq could benefit Bush and the GOP.
interesting......
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
He won't change. He doesn't have to.
Posted by bond006 on :
Americans don't dislike Bush as much as they don"t dislike his policies?
Now I have lost all hope upon hearing that. Is not the old saying it is not what you say but what you do that telles me about you.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
As long as you're a white guy that they wouldn't mind having a beer with, 30% of Americans will apparently worship you.
Posted by glassman on :
quote:Originally posted by bond006: Americans don't dislike Bush as much as they don"t dislike his policies?
Now I have lost all hope upon hearing that. Is not the old saying it is not what you say but what you do that telles me about you.
yeah Bond that one kinda turns my stomach...
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
It seems like every day is another new low.
Posted by bond006 on :
I guess Mr. Bush is doing the Limbo every time it is his turn he goes lower
![[Frown]](frown.gif)