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Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Ever

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 02:01:07 PM EST
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President Bush's approval rating has dropped to 45%, its lowest level ever. Is it social security, the deteriorating economy or the Terri Schiavo case?

Most likely, all three:

The new poll found the largest drop for Bush came among men, self-described conservatives and churchgoers. "You have to wonder if people didn't feel that the president and the Congress couldn't be spending their time working on Social Security and other problems," said Charlie Cook, editor of the non-partisan Cook Political Report.

Bush's handling of the economy also appears to have contributed to the poll's findings. Bush's economic ratings:

• 59% said economic conditions are getting worse, Bush's highest negative number on the economy in two years.

• 32% rated economic conditions good or excellent, the lowest rating in over a year.

Has everyone forgotten the war in Iraq and that more than 1,500 soldiers have died?

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    Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Ever | 33 comments (33 topical)
    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#1)
    by jondee on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 02:46:51 PM EST
    Sounds like a good time for some color-coded terror alerts. Oh, thats right, its his last term.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#2)
    by glanton on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 02:56:08 PM EST
    jondee: Where's your imagination? why, there'll be plenty o' color-coded goodies in the months leading into the midterms. The GOP/Borg ends not with its redneck-in-chief.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 04:03:41 PM EST
    What comes around goes around. And I suspect something's going to go around in November of 2006

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimcee on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 05:15:27 PM EST
    Whoa Bush better watch out next time he runs for president...oh wait...nevermind.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#5)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 05:44:24 PM EST
    Perhaps all the pandering to religious nut-jobs is catching up. Here’s to hoping.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 06:14:56 PM EST
    Between protecting people in vegetative-states, and dismantling social security, Bush seems to have time for: 1) Smirking 2) Bombing Iraq, and 3) Acting like a complete idiot Bush's approval rating is low because his job performance is low... November 2006 will probably see increases for the Dems in Congress.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#7)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 06:28:47 PM EST
    Perhaps this is more appropriate here, speaking of notable conservative defectors. Here is an interesting bit; the American Enterprise Institute, an often favorably quoted source of notable Republicans, has released this report on the US drug war (careful, its around 4.5MG). Some conclusions; · Domestic enforcement should be directed toward reducing drug-related problems, such as violence around drug markets, rather than locking up large numbers of low-level dealers. · Eradication of drug crops in source countries should not necessarily be a routine aspect of international programs, especially where it may conflict with other foreign policy objectives. In fact, evidence shows that such control is very unlikely to reduce America’s drug problem. · Criminal punishment of marijuana use does not appear to be justified. · Treatment services for heavy users, particularly methadone and other opiate maintenance therapies, need more money and fewer regulations. · Programs that coerce convicted drug addicts to enter treatment and maintain abstinence as a condition of continued freedom should be augmented. Pinch me.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 08:04:21 PM EST
    The most amazing part is it's only been two months since his inauguration. At this rate he'll be in single digits by june.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 08:25:53 PM EST
    Not to be crass...............but do you suppose FOX News will instruct Sean Hannity to strike a deal with the Schindlers for the remains of Terri for the purpose of actually taking the body to the Senate floor and let "Captain Bill" finally make his "expert" analysis on this matter so he could at least say."I told you so"?I can see it now,minion Hannity and Fox crew circumvent CSpan and shut em down so they can have the "Exclusive" rights on the autopsy.Not without senator Frists exhorbitant fee paid upfront by medicaire cuts first though.HYPOCRITS,each and all........The "Republican" party has died by its own hand.Good riddance

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#10)
    by BigTex on Fri Mar 25, 2005 at 08:59:27 PM EST
    Oil prices have t' be a part o' th' sinkin' approval ratin'. Th' prices are absurdly high, and there's no end in sight. Th' pain at th' pump cuts across party lines. Th' current drop likely represents th' latent christian vote directin' it's attention elsewhere. Maybe it has somethin' t' do with percieved exploitation o' th' Terri Schivao, but I reckon it has more t' do with th' fact that homosexual marriage has faded from th' media other issues are fillin' th' void. With th' view that th' donkeys are no longer assaultin' th' religious core o' th' country th' latent religious vote is startin' t' shift attention t' other issues and disagree with some o' th' Sherrif's views. Ironically, the high oil prices will give us a chance t' see if th' enviromentalists premise that higher gas prices really do cut pollution to a substantial degree, or if it just aggervates th' herd which will continue t' pollute. Poet - yer likely right that th' donkeys will see an increase in th' midterm. It's difficult fer an encumbent t' pull off th' trifecta o' increasin' party representation in mid term elections, reelection, and increasin' party representation in midterm elections again. I think Rosevelt was th' last t' pull off th' trifecta. At some point th' public decides that it's time fer a change, add t' that that th' encumbent has dwindelin' political capitol t' spend by th' second midterm cause he's becomin' a lame duck.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 01:46:28 AM EST
    In my household, Bush's approval rating is even lower. This second term hasn't started well.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#12)
    by john horse on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 03:02:51 AM EST
    Looks like the mandate (please, no Jeff Gannon jokes) has disappeared.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 06:50:21 AM EST
    I think he spent his political capital. Of course, I am not sure what his true approval or vote ratings were back in early November. I think we took a nationwide poll, but the polling process is flawed and can't be checked. Watch out for election results that don't match exit polls etc. The only fix for this is on the local level. Free open elections with a papertrail. I hope it's an idea whose time has come.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#14)
    by jerry on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 06:50:25 AM EST
    Poet: you left out the most important #4....his mentality is also very low. A sitting President that looks and acts like a comic book stooge. Moe, Larry, Curly and Georgie!

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 08:02:07 AM EST
    He John What Mandate? 1% wouldn't even give him a boydate. Ask Micheal Jackson.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 08:13:19 AM EST
    Bush and his boys are well known, now for the little rats for mexico/china and not only for the sad and case of Schiavo's murder by state means, he is the lowest Rat to come down the political road in 230 years, his bull S@#@# Is well understood by all people who have eyes to see it. Hey Bush where is Bin Laden? and how are our open borders doing making you rich? and hepling the drug dealers of mexico and its terror government well off? hey bush look at Red China getting ready to do the world with H-Bombs you rats in our government help to make! hey bush i hope god is real you need hell with saddam and old bin laden, And let us not forget about 9-11 and his non actions on that day. and if you love the old ideals of a once great nation of good, remember it was 12 million guys and girls from 1941 to 1945 who saved your butt from people like bush and business.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 10:01:26 AM EST
    et al - Actually, my own little poll of church going, christian men show that the disapproval is reolated to their belief that he hasn't done enough. Jerry - You remind me of a guy I knew who got his butt whipped in a fight, and then bragged that he had hit the other guy, once. Pore old dumb George. Fighter pilot, major league team owner, two term Governor, two term President. Would you like to show us your resume? CA - All election votes are counted. Polls are not. Little bit of difference.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 11:51:10 AM EST
    Where was your attempt to debate? Simple soloution: Since theres "no debating",and,its obvious that the majority of those here cant comprehend your impeccable logic and well-reasoned arguements,the only reasonable,logical thing for you to do is to quite pissing and moaning and take your sorry a** elsewhere.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#19)
    by glanton on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 12:07:09 PM EST
    "Pore old dumb George. Fighter pilot, major league team owner, two term Governor, two term President. Would you like to show us your resume?" Nothing builds a resume quicker than having an exorbitantly wealthy daddy with lots of connections. But what about performance? As a major league owner, abysmal; as a governor, pillager of public education and executioner par excallance; as President, a culture of fear arrogantly masquerading as a 'culture of life.'

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#20)
    by Adept Havelock on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 12:14:27 PM EST
    -glanton Don't forget Bush 41's rich daddy Prescott, and all his connections (especially the German Industrial ones)as well. Born on third base, and the nitwit boy king thinks he hit a triple.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#21)
    by glanton on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 12:27:34 PM EST
    Adept: What I found especially funny was the reference to Dubya as a "fighter pilot." Isn't that sort of like calling Michael Jordan a "baseball player"?

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#22)
    by Adept Havelock on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 12:58:52 PM EST
    Glanton- Technically, the F-102 (or was it the F-106) (Bush's plane) was considered a (then obsolete) fighter/interceptor tasked specifically to continental air defence (against the Cuban Air Force I guess), so I suppose he could be considered a fighter pilot. Just not one who could be bothered with signing up for a branch of service where he might actually have to engage the enemy. Unlike Poppa Bush 41, who wasn't a chickenhawk. The Jordan reference is pretty damn funny (and more than a little true) though.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#23)
    by john horse on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 01:13:49 PM EST
    PPJ, I think your "church going, christian men" are correct in disapproving of Bush because he "hasn't done enough." Republicans have two main bases of support, pro-corporate economic conservatives and social conservatives. Legislatively, Republicans have done little for social conservatives except talk the talk, while they have delivered for large corporations and wealthy individuals. Now that there is Republican control of the Presidency, Republican control of the Senate, Republican control of the House, and conservative control of the Supreme Court, social conservatives should be asking themselves what the Republicans have actually done for them in return for their votes. After all, actions speak louder than words.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 04:28:05 PM EST
    Next hope is the midterm election. On local level we all need to be working to make sure that all those who want to vote, and qualify to vote get to vote, and that their votes are counted and recounted. Paper trail is essential. Gerrymandering was bad enough for democracy, but we now face computerized vote machines whose count cannot be independently verified. I bet we could have sold these machines to Pinochet, Tito, Saddam, the Saud family. These things look pretty darn useful.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#25)
    by glanton on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 04:43:09 PM EST
    ca: Damned right. We've got to be out there in force for '06, supplying wtahever pressure we can for paper trails. But above all, let the Dem candidates step up to the challenge this time.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 04:50:06 PM EST
    John H - The problem, as I have noted several times as it applies to me, is that the Demos offer no competition. Did they really think they would get my vote, and millions like me, by running John Kerry? Sir, that is laughable. Having said, as I discussed this with a friend who was critical, he came around, on his on accord, to noting that Bush had done about all he could without causing a real crisis. His most interesting conclusion was that Bush should pull the trigger on killing the filibuster and get the judicary straightened out. Now, if Bush doesn't do that, he will be in trouble. Adept - The F102 is an interceptor, and did serve in Vietnam, as did members of TANG. And while he was born rich, it was not super rich, and the world is full of rich kids who did nothing. Glanton - Your comment, spoken by someone who has never lifted a finger in defense of his country, is extremely hypocritcial. And if you think flying modern combat jets is a snap and as safe as eating popcorn, check out what would happen to your life insurance rates if you became one.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#27)
    by Dark Avenger on Sat Mar 26, 2005 at 08:53:50 PM EST
    Bush should pull the trigger on killing the filibuster If you mean that Bush should have the Republican majority in Congress pull the trigger, I say why not. He hasn't ben able to spend his political capital well this year, maybe this will take peoples' mind away from rising gas prices, and he'll get a bigger bang for his political buck.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 07:10:45 AM EST
    Since aviation doesn't seem to be the strong suit of the group here, let me fill you guys in just a bit. The F-102 Delta Dagger--the third member of the vaunted Century Series of jet fighters--was originally designated as a theater combatant, but is better known as an all-weather, supersonic continental air defender. The Original Seven astronauts used the Dagger to keep their flying skills sharps. And once the Air Force retired it, it became a target drone and was redesignated as QF-102. The Dagger's cousin, the F-106 Delta Dart, served as a continental air defender for much of its lifespan. It was a better aircraft in terms of performance, and served for nearly 30 years, with the last ones phased out of active duty in 1988. A number of Darts also served as drones, redesignated as QF-106. Now, given some background of these two remarkable aircraft, there's a point to be made: It's much easier to fly a jet interceptor when nobody's shooting at you. I do believe Old Man Bush got shot at, maybe even shot down (sorry, I can't remember), during World War II. But the only thing that may have shot at Young Man Bush was a gun camera during a training exercise.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 08:27:26 AM EST
    Claxton - I spent 10 years in Naval Aviation. My point was, and is, that the F-102 was used in Vietnam. Members of TANG did serve in Vietnam. Bush had no knowledge, when he joined, that he would not be activated and sent to Vietnam. And that the very act of flying a fighter jet is dangerous. I also invite you to compare insurance rates. And no, I'm not saying it is the same as flying in combat. And interceptors are used in battle theaters to protect ground forces against air attack, and in those cases, it is reasonable to assume that they will be shot at by the attacking aircarft and their escorts. I think that was the use of the F-102 in Vietnam, but I am not certain.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#31)
    by Sailor on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 10:13:09 AM EST
    Bush admitted he joined (i.e. his daddy got him into) the guard to avoid VN. "Among the questions Bush had to answer on his application forms was whether he wanted to go overseas. Bush checked the box that said: "do not volunteer.""

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 11:30:07 AM EST
    Jim, you don't have to convince me how dangerous it is to fly a plane. I wanted to be a fighter pilot, primarily as a stepping stone to becoming an astronaut, but because I wear eyeglasses, I could never fly high-performance fixed wing aircraft in the military. And being in naval aviation, you appreciate how much more difficult it is for naval and marine aviators to accomplish their missions. Unlike air force pilots, naval aviators are usually trying to hit a target that looks like a postage stamp. My point is that, unlike yourself and his dad, Dubya didn't see combat. Sure he served, and I agree that continental air defense is a vital part of the nation's military. In fact, I'd like to see him push a plan through Congress to reestablish robust air defense coverage. But without his connections, he wouldn't have drawn that kind of assignment, which was cushy compared to Wild Weasel or close-air missions under live fire.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#33)
    by Dark Avenger on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 12:43:18 PM EST
    PPJ never saw combat: He's made that clear in his postings about his military career.

    Re: Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Eve (none / 0) (#34)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 01:52:38 PM EST
    "I agree that continental air defense is a vital part of the nation's military." Five hundred billion a year in military expenditure -- TWO fighters scrambled on Sept. 11. Whatever Bush learned in the guard, he didn't apply any of it to being President. He wasn't on alert to protect his country -- he was ON VACATION, ignoring FIFTY warnings. He didn't support the troops, he has cut funding for them, deployed them without armor (40,000 GIs, no Kevlar; 2% of their vehicles armored), and wrote no orders to guard Iraq's munition dumps. All for a needless war with the wet dream of world domination. He didn't honor the officer corps -- he put Colin Powell in utter shame before the whole world, and shredded the Powell Doctrine. He didn't protect the lives of Americans. His admin. comes up with a color-code chart and plastic wrap, and STILL hasn't distributed iodine pills to every household in the country -- or ANY households in the country, other than himself and his cronies. He has failed utterly as a member of the armed forces. The WORST C-in-C in the nation's history, with the possible exception of William Henry Harrison. As big a liar as WHH; as big a fraud. Far more damaging to his country, the services, our national security, and our national health. A traitor and a coward, but no coward in betraying his country. No, in betrayal he is as brave as any.

    Bush Approval Rating Drops to Lowest Level Ever | 33 comments (33 topical)