Bush on offensive as ratings hit floor

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=ede5f8932179ee33&cat=c08dd24cec417021

Bush on offensive as ratings hit floor
Geoff Elliott, Washington correspondent
April 30, 2005
PRESIDENT George W.Bush sought to wrest back control of his second-term agenda yesterday amid a dramatic drop in the opinion polls that is threatening his legislative program and the Republicans' dominance of Congress.

In a prime-time televised press conference, Mr Bush urged Congress to pass his new social security package - the biggest overhaul so far of Franklin D.Roosevelt's 1930s New Deal safety net - and called for support for an energy bill that he says will reduce the US's reliance on imported oil.

The President also wants Congress to confirm controversial judicial nominees and back John Bolton, his choice for US ambassador to the UN.

The plan to cut and privatise the social security services is the centerpiece of changes Mr Bush hoped would ensure he avoided the lame duck tag that besets most second-term presidents.

But after almost two months on the stump trying to sell his plan around the country, the electorate is making it clear that tinkering with the social security safety net ingrained in the US psyche is dangerous politics -- just as many Republicans feared when Mr Bush zeroed in on social security in his State of the Union address in February.









This week, polls indicated Mr Bush's approval rating had fallen to a record low.

The sudden shift in the polls is causing concern among many Republicans who, until a couple of months ago, could not have contemplated that the 2006 mid-term elections might turn out to be a threat to the party's majority in Congress.

more...
They still pursue Social Security ...

[wishlist]

1. Dems need to stick together even more with benefit cuts being proposed

I don't see that Dems have anything to lose but everything to gain by staying together in opposition to the Repubs SS plan and refusing to compromise now that benefit cuts are front and center of the Republican scheme (as Kerry warned us and Bush denied last year)

[KurtNYC]

2. Seems more like he is on "defense"

[Rainscents]

3. These thug are waking up now... Running scare???

[wildflower]

4. Shouldn't the headline say "on defensive"?

That was my first reaction anyway.

[Merlot]

5. How about "Bush's SS plan is offensive"

(edit: typo)

[Rainscents]

7. Good one!!!

[arikara]

8. It should say "Bush is offensive"

n/t

[coloradodem2005]

6. How about Bush is offensive.

[arikara]

9. Sorry...

I didn't see your post. Great minds think alike... LOL

[TahitiNut]

11. Yep. Like a wet fart in an elevator.

He's beneath disgusting.

[kypper]

10. Energy deal?

Mr Bush... called for support for an energy bill that he says will reduce the US's reliance on imported oil.

With coal. Coal.
Fuck you, Bush. Fuck you.

[oneold1-4u]

13. Dunno, mabe, too old smart

After they stopped using so much coal, no one was wise to the total abundance nationwide! In my hometown they are now building subdivisions all over the big hill that was once covered with shallow coal mines.
I have always wondered why they didn't find a simple way to just clean up the use of coal. Anyone could just take out a claim and dig up what they needed!!!??? That would sure bring the price at the pumps down quickly!

[deutsey]

12. Watch out for a sudden "disaster"

that will rally everyone around Bush (it's simply amazing how that always seems to happen :eyes: ).

[PleadTheFirst]

20. Indeed.

"Whuts thet, KKKarl? They ain't buyin' mah Social Security slop, an' mah fake Texas drahwl ain't enuff to distract 'em? Is it time teh open a can o' MIHOP on 'em yit?"

:-(

[Fire Walk With Me]

14. SS? If he'd say "pretty please" they'd pass it. They're just yanking him.

"Mr Bush urged Congress to pass his new social security package"

Not until, and only if he says the magic words. Maybe not even then.

[UpInArms]

15. related: Not Exactly Must-See TV

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2005/04/29/BL2005042900675_pf.html

The television networks -- and, by extension, the American viewing public -- got snookered last night.

Strong-armed, beguiled and wheedled into pre-empting an hour of prime-time national programming last night for President Bush's news conference, the networks were assured they would be getting must-see TV. Instead, they got a clip show.

The White House had promised that Bush would unveil new specifics about how he proposes to resolve Social Security's future funding shortfalls. And he did that -- but only briefly, and using language that was disingenuous at best.

Here, in fact, is the sum total of what Bush had to say that was new regarding Social Security: "I propose a Social Security system in the future where benefits for low-income workers will grow faster than benefits for people who are better off. By providing more generous benefits for low-income retirees, we'll make this commitment: If you work hard and pay into Social Security your entire life, you will not retire into poverty. This reform would solve most of the funding challenges facing Social Security."

You could have easily fit that into a commercial break, with plenty of time left over for a talking head to explain what it really meant -- namely, that Bush is finally, officially endorsing very significant benefits cuts for the wealthy and middle class, relative to what they are currently being promised.

...more...

[KansDem]

16. Really?

But after almost two months on the stump trying to sell his plan around the country, the electorate is making it clear that tinkering with the social security safety net ingrained in the US psyche is dangerous politics -- just as many Republicans feared when Mr Bush zeroed in on social security in his State of the Union address in February.

I don't recall "many Republicans" concerned about the Chimp's plan for Social Security. If there were, this "news" wasn't covered much in the Corporate Media. You don't suppose the Corporate Media is attempting to cover as many GOP asses here as they can while Chimp's ratings plummet?

Hey, F*ck You, GOP! This is "decisive leadership!" Remember?

[gratuitous]

18. Called that one right!

The Republicans have been positively gushy about what a man Bush is and how bold and decisive his leadership is up until about exactly six weeks ago, when the polls (which, of course, don't influence administration or Republican policy in any way whatsoever, nope, nosireebob) showed that this was a stinker of an idea going down in flames.

[demgrrrll]

17. There is a great diary at Kos complete with nationwide newspaper

headlines which note that Bush backs "cuts" in benefits. I can't see how the average person who walks by the newspaper box is going to see those headlines and agree with the plan. I think he really screwed up last night.

[Stevious]

19. Bush *is* offensive. (n/t)