Zogby; Bush approval only 49%

[benburch]

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=786

"As Democrats Vote in Iowa and New Hampshire, President Bush Looks Vulnerable in Both His Re-Elect and Face-Off with Generic Democrat; Bush’s Job Performance 49% Positive, 50% Negative; Democrats Lead Over Republicans in Congressional Generic, New Zogby International Poll Reveals

President George W. Bush’s job performance has dropped since mid- December, while his vulnerability increases when matched against an unnamed Democrat or when respondents are asked if he should be re-elected."

[salinen]

1. This is the only place where I wish we were lied to

now we can expect any number of horrible scenarios to boost the simians numbers.

[lovedems]

2. Not good poll numbers on the day of his SOTU

but what it does mean (I hope) is that his bump will be minimal because people are not going to buy what he is selling tonight. God, I hope! Wouldn't that be a great headline as we head into NH. You are beatable!

[Cat Atomic]

3. He may even piss his base off more.

In fact, I don't see how he can avoid it.

If he wants to talk up the middle, he's going to have to promote some sort of program. Whether it's pro-people or pro-corporate, it's going to just flash "SPENDING SPENDING" to his base.

I'm sure he'll try to make a wedge issue out of gay marriage, but that was decided when it looked like Dean was a sure thing. Will it have any value against Kerry, or Edwards, or Clark, etc.? Could just be spinnig his wheels, pissing off his base, and not getting any traction against his opponent.

It'll be interesting to watch.

[kentuck]

4. Isn't that the lowest of his pResidency?

?? I think he was at 50% when 9/11 happened?

[Timefortruth]

12. Here is a graph of the approval/disapproval spread.

http://www.pollkatz.homestead.com

[KansDem]

13. Actually, I think it was 49% then as well.

And this worries me... :scared:

[HereSince1628]

5. I expect Bush to rise 5-ish % following SOTU coverage

television exposure you know...

[benburch]

6. No doubt.

And it will last maybe two weeks.

[yellowcanine]

15. I think it could go the other way - if

the media does even a halfway decent job of pointing out the difference in emphasis between the 2003 SOTU (which was all about fake WMDs) and the 2004 SOTU. In fact, I think the WMD issue is only now starting to hurt Bush. It is independent of who wins the Dem nomination. Of course all of this depends on the media finally doing their job and I actually didn't see any pigs flying today.

[Ridley Park 704]

7. i don't get it

if his approval rating is 49%, that means his reelect percentage must be even lower, and he cannot win in November. (Would voters who disapprove of him vote for him?)

Yet CNN said this morning that Bush stacks up healthily against all named Democrats by at least 10 points.

That CNN sure is kissy face with Bush.

[MrBenchley]

19. Don't forget

most Americans won't even think about politics until Labor Day.

Not surprising the Chimp has a lead against people who haven't been nominated yet. Wait until the primaries end and the REAL campaign begins.

[jayfish]

8. That's Strange.

The radio said this morning that he has a %58 approval rating. They also claimed that a %58 rating is the highest rating ever for sitting president at this point in his presidency. Of course it was a Clear Channel station. :eyes:

Jay

[benburch]

9. Numbers don't lie...

... but liars use numbers.

[Military Brat]

10. Poll numbers will rise when people see his new "wise," silver-haired image

I saw the thumbnail on BBC and said, "Who the heck is that?" Clicked on the article and, lo and behold, our Jesus Almighty is transformed once again.

bush changes his image more often than most people change their sheets. But at least when people change their sheets, it's an improvement.

[benburch]

16. He looks even more stupid...

Now he just looks like an OLD chimp.

[CityZen-X]

11. Conversation between Chimp & Chumpy

Chimpy:Dick, my numbers are down too low, how am I going to get re-selected? Chumpy:Don't worry Mr. Resident, I mean President! We can always have another Pearl Harbor/9-11 thingy and everything is going to be all Reich! Chimpy: OK, but this time can I be on a golf coarse in Florida instead of a school. I had a hard time with the words in that story book!

[TNOE]

14. Thanks for posting

I took this poll - and was curious to see the numbers. I'm new to the political scene - the stealing of the 2000 election inspired me - but I NEVER remember all the talking heads saying "how popular" or "how unbeatable" or is Bush "beatable" or can ANY Democrat beat Bush* - I never remember talking heads saying this before. Its like brainwashing - which is surprising in that one of my staunch Republican co-workers agreed with me today - he does not believe the poll numbers and that massive brainwashing is going on. He said he hopes John Edwards gets the nomination because he would vote for Edwards before Bush. Coming from this guy - that was amazing.

He said he believes Bush's numbers to be more in the low 40's and I said my bet is 32, if that - and he agreed saying that "since he has lost a big portion of his conservative base due to the deficits and he has lost part of his Christian base.

[DoYouEverWonder]

17. Karl Rove knows the real numbers

and he knows they suck.

The rest is brainwashing. The surprising thing is that it doesn't seem to be working. There are some Bushbots who will defend their master no matter what, but most rational people do know what's going on and even life long republicans are starting say they will not vote for Bu$h.

[benburch]

18. Yes, but can they create the ILLUSION of a majority?

Such an illusion will serve them well as they try to steal the election with hinky touchscreen voting machines.

-Ben

[benburch]

20. Here is a graph from www.zogby.com