Hmm…
Friday December 23, 2005–Fifty percent (50%) of American adults approve of the way George W. Bush is performing his role as President. That's up six points since the President's speech on Sunday night.
It's also the first time since July that the President's Job Approval has reached the 50% mark. He earns approval from 81% of Republicans, 23% of Democrats, and 42% of those not affiliated with either major political party.
Great news for the President, especially when this upward trend is generally reflected (to varying extents) in other major polls. Clearly, the success in Iraq and the Bush administration's push back on pre-war intelligence and the war have had a positive effect. But now is no time for him to quit. History has shown that the media is more than willing to use trumped up controversies (see: NSA controversy) and overly negative reporting (see: Iraq War) to keep the Bush administration down. When the President takes a pro-active approach to these issues his poll numbers stay up.
On a related note, anybody else noticing how these climbing poll numbers aren't getting much media attention? I know, I say that every time Bush's poll numbers go back up, but its true. When his poll numbers are declining the media hypes it endlessly. They publish article after article on the numbers themselves, and every other article about the President or Iraq starts out something like this: "Amidst declining poll numbers" or "As Americans take a mostly negative view of the President's job performance."
You never see many articles starting out "As Bush's approval numbers climb…"
Sort of amazing how that works, isn't it?
You can read more from Rob Port at SayAnythingBlog.com
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Comments: 11
More relevant, the fundamental forces in Iraq still point towards civil war. Therefore I'll bet that this successful election is followed by failed government. Add to this the current domestic spying debacle, and a potential recession...and I think Bush is looking at a very tough 2006.
First, a 50% approval rating is nothing to write home about. It's a little like getting a report card with Fs in all subjects except for one course where you eke out a D.
Second, it's one poll. If you look at various other polls--the results aren't as good. Also, one poll doesn't indicate a trend.
And to be frank, Bush's poll numbers have consistently flirted around historic lows; at some point, there's really nowhere else to go but up.
Frankly, the reason you both are so dismissive of this information, is it doesn't fit your worldview.
Regardless, a 50% approval rating is pretty poor; in fact, most political pundits consider a 50% job approval rating to be akin to being on life support--you're not dead but you're not exactly up and about.
To put it in context, at the time our last democratically-elected President Clinton was impeached, his job approval numbers stood at 65%.
As for the economy, we've essentially been treading water.
Too, there is no comparison to Clinton's numbers during impeachment unless you have some deep dark feeling that if Bush isn't impeached he should be. Clinton's impeachment was a fabricated Republican farce that the American people saw through. There were sympathizers that didn't necessarily agree with Clinton policy but realized the trumped up charges were exatly that.
Also, one poll is useless which is why you cite only Rasmussen. All other polls have him on the decline or holding steady as the worst president in history. So, I now offer you P'Booty's poll. I called no one and asked no questions. This poll is based entirely on Washington Journal calls from the last two days. Support the president: 24%. Sick of the lies and deception, ready to give him the boot: 73%. Off on some diatribe against either Republicans or Democrats: 3%.
And there you have it, 3% of Americans cannot focus thanks to their blind hatred of, or agreement with, Ralph Nader.
recession well I guess things must be pretty bad down there