Spinning Bush's Poll Numbers Like A Whirling Dervish

[Presstitutes]

http://www.presstitutes.com/presstitutes/2005/12/spinning_bushs_.html


Last week, we noted that "Pre$$titutes are salivating over Bush's 'rising' poll numbers," "rising" being the questionable term. Here's another example, from NBC, of a reporter spinning Bush's latest numbers to paint a 39% approval rating in the best possible light:

"Since his second inauguration in January, President Bush has seen a steady decline in his overall job performance, the economy, and Iraq. But the free-fall appears to be over, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. For the first time in months, Bush’s job approval has increased, albeit by one point.

"Clearly, the president is better off,” said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff. “He’s not really in good health, but he is no longer hemorrhaging.” McInturff compares Bush’s standing to someone who has been sliding down a mountain, but who finally gained a foothold to stop the fall. And he says that alone is a positive development for the president. “You can’t get better until you stop the bad numbers,” McInturff said.

"According to the poll, 39 percent approve of Bush’s handling of his job while 55 percent disapprove. That’s a slight improvement from the NBC/Wall Street Journal survey last month, when 38 percent gave him a thumbs-up."

Hmmm. A statistically insignificant one-point uptick on the job approval from 38 to 39, and a few points up on some of the Iraq-related internals is hardly good news for Bush. This article could just as well taken the route of "Bad news for Bush, polls virtually unchanged despite p.r. effort..." Instead, we're treated to the ubiquitous it-could-have-been-worse rationalization. You know, a person loses a leg in a car accident and someone says "thank God you didn't lose two legs." True, but let's focus on treating the patient and sympathizing for the tragedy of losing the one leg.

When Pre$$titutes were busy painting Bush as the most popular leader in human history, when they were groveling with glee, a 39% approval rating would have given them a coronary. Now, it's 'good' news because he's "no longer hemorrhaging."

And that's not all that's wrong with this article.

"68 percent agree with the president and believe the United States should not immediately withdraw all of its troops from Iraq. Just 27 percent support such a withdrawal. But 60 percent believe the U.S. should reduce its troop level in Iraq, while just 35 percent advocate maintaining the current level there.

"68 percent agree with the president" is deceptive here. If 60% "believe the U.S. should reduce its troop level in Iraq," then 60% disagree with Bush, since he's been noncommittal about reducing troop levels. Bush's favorite cop-out, "When Iraqis stand up we'll stand down" is about as meaningful as "when things improve, they'll get better."

Finally, the piece wouldn't be complete without the tried-and-true "Republicans may be bad but Democrats suck too:"

"Democrats are hoping to take back Congress in next year’s midterm elections by, in part, emphasizing a wave of ethical troubles that have hit Republicans — such as Rep. Tom DeLay’s indictment on political money-laundering charges, and Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham guilty plea for taking bribes and evading taxes.

But the poll finds that a whopping 79 percent believe both political parties have an equal problem with corruption and illegal activities. Just 12 percent say Republicans have a bigger problem, while 5 percent say Democrats have the bigger problem."

[yellowcanine]

1. A bouncing dead cat is still dead is all I've got to say. This is kind

of like the Monty Python dead parrot skit, "he's not dead, he's just resting!"

[Call me Deacon Blues]

2. Taking back our government won't be enough

We must take back the press as well, or at least render them superfluous to American thought. In fact, we may need to do this before we can accomplish the first goal.

[madokie]

5. no truer words writen

[DemonFighterLives]

3. More like he caught a little bush on the way down

and the roots are straining. As soon as it breaks he can continue his descent.
:popcorn:

[Toots]

4. "79 percent believe both political parties" are corrupt

The Democrats better pay damn close attention to this number. You can bet your ass the Republicans are..Democrats want to be Republican lite well they have succeeded...