Poll Results From Strong Republican Area.

[Upfront]

I live in Midland Mi. which is a strong republican area.  Our
local paper, "Midland Daily News", just did a poll
titled, Bush, Love Him, or Hate Him.  The results were
stunning.  60 people approved of Bush and 94 people
disapproved.  In our area of the world, this is comparable to
the sun coming up in the west.  I don't know how to get this
report on DU so all can see it.  It needs to make it to Buzz
Flash also, please help me out.  Web site is, our midland.com.
 The article is front page, titled, Bush, Love Him or Hate
Him. :toast: 

[SoCalDem]

1. Here it is

Bush: Love him or hate him
    Those seeking a heated debate need only mention the name "George Bush." America is divided in its feelings about the man in power over these United States, and the division is strong – love or hate, with few in-betweens.


Full Story 


Bush: Love him or hate him




Kathie Marchlewski , The Midland Daily News 08/03/2003




    Those seeking a heated debate need only mention the name "George Bush." America is divided in its feelings about the man in power over these United States, and the division is strong – love or hate, with few in-betweens. Michiganders are just about evenly split on how the Texan is handling the U.S. economy. A Detroit News poll last week showed 48 percent approve and 47 percent disapprove of the tactics he expects will bolster the nation’s financial situation.

    The Daily News wanted to see what Midlanders thought, and asked readers to comment on Bush’s performance in economic matters and the war on terrorism. It also asked if readers plan to vote for his re-election in 2004.    E-mails and notes, 154 of them collected this week, show that Midland’s confidence in the leader may be dwindling. There were 94 votes of criticism and 60 of support, 61 percent and 39 percent, respectively. Comments were filled with high praise, strong dislike or intense fear.

    Some believe Bush is a strong and noble leader. He’s the best man for the job, they say, and will go down in history as the world’s greatest.   But more who answered the poll think otherwise. Some used four-letter words. They question his intelligence, worry about a grim economic future and fear the damage he may be inflicting on global relations. Even some lifelong Republicans are disappointed with Bush’s job performance and say they disagree with tax cuts the country can’t afford in this time of turmoil.Midland Daily News informal poll of readers on President Bush’s handling of the war on terrorism and the U.S. economy

    Approve: 60
    Disapprove: 94Midland County votes in the 2000 presidential election
    Straight Republican ticket: 9,403
    Straight Democratic ticket: 5,598    Votes for George W. Bush: 21,887
    Votes for Al Gore: 15,959Popular vote, 2000 election, nationwide
    Votes for Al Gore: 48,612,539
    Votes for George W. Bush: 48,382,678

---

Excerpts from responses

    We can count our blessings that George W. Bush, a man of high character and leadership, is in the White House.  He's a Christian and trying to conduct the business of this country and abroad by the Lord's leading.
    Robbin Pangborn    \

Aw shucks, how can anybody think that Bush isn’t the best president we’ve ever had? George and his rich friends know what they are doing. Ignore those 100-plus economists and Nobel Prize winners who are saying that the country will be bankrupt in 10 years and we will lose our Medicare and Social Security. All those hard-working multimillionaires deserve their huge tax cut. I got my $400 rebate George promised. I just wish it could cover the wife’s high-priced medicine and little Sam’s $2,000 tuition increase. When they get rid of my overtime pay, I can always get a second job to make ends meet. There are lots of jobs out there, right? Well, all this thinking and ignoring is making me tired and nervous. Guess it’s time to watch wrestling or "American Idol."
    Dale Penprase    

Here are two votes of STRONGLY DISAPPROVE of Bush's handling of the war and the economy. If George were to donate all the money he raises for his re-election to the U.S. Treasury, we'd change our vote to neutral.....
    Mark and Dorothy Shaw   

 War – Stongly Disapprove. Bush/Cheney should be ashamed of everything they have done with this "war." They have lied to the world about the weapons of mass destruction, they have lied to the Americans about the reasons and costs of going to war, and have repeatedly lied to the poor troops themselves.
    Economy – Strongly Disapprove. "Trickle down" doesn't work and never will. This is a case of the rich getting richer AND the government becoming more powerful.
    Bush is the most UN-AMERICAN president we have ever had!
    Michele DeVoe Lussky   

 A smaller tax cut with some of the funds going to the states would have made sense. The Bush plan is somewhat offset by cuts in spending at the state level.
    Cal Hoerneman    

STRONGLY APPROVE of President Bush's actions. (Aside: I shudder to think about what Mr. Gore would have done.)
     The American people are a bunch of hypocrites. They want miracles from a man they pay $200,000 a year, but accept mediocre performance from their sports heroes, whom they pay $2,000,000 plus ...
     Robert Welser    

I have recently read that criticism divides the strength of the one being criticized. As a people, we need all the strong leadership President Bush has and then some. Let's get behind our chosen leader. Let's pray for President Bush, for his family, his wisdom, discernment and the tough decisions. This seems to be God’s man for this time and place!
    Carl and Carol Shafer    

 We cannot cram democracy down everyone's throat. Other cultures do not seem to be able to function in a democracy. We don't have such an easy time of it either. We have our own problems "enforcing" democracy.
    With all the debt being produced with a sluggish economy, the war and other government spending there should never be a tax refund. Yes, I like the money in my pocket as much as anyone else, but we have the greater obligation to get and keep our country out of debt. When a country’s debt is owed to its citizens, it is the citizens who also end up paying for it. The taxpayers lose both ways.
    Lee Walkowski   

 The economy is in a mess. The tax cuts were unwarranted and ill advised. We were just beginning to emerge a little from unconscionable (Reagan) debt and the economy was flourishing. And now where are we? Back with floundering economy and deficits even larger than Reagan’s. Bush’s wars have put him in over his head and he doesn’t even realize it! And in addition to all that, Bush is beholden to the religious right with disastrous results.
    The Bush administration is an utter, unmitigated disaster. The sooner we can get rid of it, the better.
    Peter and Patricia Dreyfuss

much more

[liberalhistorian]

8. Wow!

If this is happening in repuke areas, I really think people are finally starting to wake up. Many of those who disapproved really hit the nail on the head as far as the Bushista Regime is concerned, and that's quite a pleasant surprise. As for those who strongly approved--well, they'll get what they asked for once his policies start screwing them and he shows just how little he really cares for them!

[Mel]

2. here's the link

http://ourmidland.com/site/news.asp?brd=2289

you have to be registered though to view the story

[whoYaCallinAlib]

3. Excellent news!!!

Hoplefully, other areas of the country agree with Midland.

[madmax]

4. This good news, Upfront

Hope these are the sentiments of many more Americans fed up with the shrub and his misadministration all across the land.

[jiacinto]

5. Was this a scientific poll?

What was the sample and the margin of error?

[Upfront]

7. Don't know

They just asked, are you for or against Bush. You saw the results. This is big in this area. Not to many neo-cons but a big majority of conservitive republicans. I think they are starting to wake up.

[jiacinto]

9. Actaully it is important

Because if people chose to participate then it skews the results. You have to randomly sample people to get the info.

[west michigan]

14. I am happy about choosing to participate

To me that shows motivation and that means people who vote.

[Frances]

11. It was not a scientific poll

The paper just asked people to send emails and notes.

But the results were encouraging to me. I especially liked this email because it means that a former Bush supporter changed his mind.

"I see myself voting Democratic in the next general election. In fact I cannot believe I voted for Bush back in '00. In fact I cannot believe we share the same first name."

[5thGenDemocrat]

6. Twenty miles down M47 from you, Upfront

To the DUers: Midland itself is Republican AND World HQ for Dow Chemical Company. Midland County usually votes GOP, but Bay City and Saginaw (the other two "Tri-Cities") are Democratic. If Midland feels this way, the defecation has contacted the rotary oscillator.
Nice to finally meet you, Upfront. DUmail me some time and we'll go pound a couple beevos.
John
My second cousins, the Inmans, live in Midland (and went to Dow HS). You know 'em?

[Upfront]

10. 5th Generation

Check your e-mail. Up Front.:toast:

[corarose]

12. 2/3 rds don't like Bush

I think that we can call that progress in the right direction.
Are you near Frankenmuth, MI?

[Upfront]

15. Cararose

Check your e-mail. Up Front:)

[Frances]

13. I read the whole article

and I think that Bush is vulnerable on the economy and the war.

Most of the people who wrote in praising Bush seemed to like the idea that Bush proclaims himself a Christian.

However, many people, especially seniors, who are strong Christians are worried about the budget deficits affecting social security and medicare. Seniors also remember the down side of wars and I don't think they tend to be as war happy as the younger people.

My guess is that the Bush folks will try to campaign on the gay marriage issue so that they can persuade people to vote against their own best economic interests.

If I were running for office, I would take the same stand on gay marriage that Dean is taking on guns. Let the states decide. I think that is a states rights issue.

The economy, on the other hand, is a national issue.

[osaMABUSh]

16. favorite comment

"STRONGLY APPROVE of President Bush's actions. (Aside: I shudder to think about what Mr. Gore would have done.)
The American people are a bunch of hypocrites. They want miracles from a man they pay $200,000 a year, but accept mediocre performance from their sports heroes, whom they pay $2,000,000 plus ...
Robert Welser"

He approves of "actions" but mentions none specifically.

The obligatory right wing nut Gore bash.

Then he puts it in terms of money which is all a repuke can relate to.

[SoCalDem]

17. He has not even been paying attention

Bush gets $400,000.00.. It was doubled after Clinton left..

[imax2268]

18. It's not surprising...

I have searched everywhere out there looking for the same type of articles that show past voters who voted for Chimpy McShrub and now say they made the biggest mistake ever...

thanks for the story Upfront...I am bookmarking that link...

I live in Arizona, from what I have heard this is a Republican state...but from what I have been seeing and hearing...many people are so frustrated with Chimpy McShrub that they will vote for a Democratic candidate next year.

and the beat goes on...!