New Newsweek Bush poll numbers - how low can you go

[Pirate Smile]

I just saw it on MSNBC but I don't see an article posted yet. I will post a link as soon as it comes on-line.

Bush - Approval - 45% / Disapproval 48% / Don't know 7% - a drop in his approval rating of 5% in one month.

Social Security - Bush - approval of his handling 33% / Disapproval 59%. Plus his SS approval numbers are dropping with the 18-29 year olds who had been more supportive.

Democrats have a 44% approval rating on SS v. Bush's 33%.

Bush - approval of his handling of Iraq 41% v. Disapproval 54 %.

I know, who cares about polls but I thought I would just give a heads up.

[coloradodem2005]

1. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pirate Smile]

22. Link is up - finally - to late to edit link above so here it is

Social Insecurity
The president, whose approval ratings are down on almost every issue, has yet to sell the country on his plan for Social Security

March 19 - Although President George W. Bush has been traveling the country touting a new plan to overhaul the Social Security system, campaigning in 15 states over six weeks, the majority of Americans remain unswayed, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. Only one-third of all Americans (33 percent) approve of his proposal to create investment accounts under Social Security, the poll found, while 59 percent disapprove. More Americans (44 percent) trust Congressional Democrats with managing the 70-year-old program. The poll also found that, with the exception of his handling of terrorism and homeland security, his approval numbers are down across the board.

Support for the Social Security plan breaks down reliably along party lines, with 72 percent of registered Republicans saying they support the Bush plan; marginally more Democrats (76 percent) side with Congressional Dems on the issue. Political Independents also give Congressional Democrats the edge (40 percent, versus 28 percent for Bush).

The week he won re-election in November, President Bush declared: "I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it." And spend it is what he appears to have done: the president’s overall approval rating has slipped below the 50 percent mark, his lowest score since being sworn in again in January. Forty-five percent of all Americans approve of the way he is doing his job, a five-point dip from early February; 48 percent disapprove, up six points. Bush's approval numbers have fallen the most among the demographic at whom his Social Security overhaul is targeted at: just 43 percent of 18-29 year olds approve of his performance (down from 56 percent a month ago).

Social Security aside, the president’s numbers are down on just about every issue except for his handling of terrorism and homeland security. His approval ratings are negative on the federal budget deficit (29 percent approve, 60 percent disapprove), health care (34 percent to 56 percent), the economy (42 percent to 51 percent) and the situation in Iraq (41 percent versus 54 percent). And on the heels of a Senate vote to pave the way for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the president’s rating on the environment is also at a low point (41 percent approve, 45 percent disapprove). On terrorism and homeland security, however, Bush enjoys a comfortable margin of support. Fifty-seven percent of Americans say they approve of his work on these two issues while only about one-third (35 percent) disapprove.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7240970/site/newsweek/

[Pirate Smile]

26. Here are the contradictory numbers on the filibuster/nuclear option

question:

"Then there’s the filibuster issue. The Republicans, in control of both legislative and executive branches, may push to change Senate rules to make it impossible to filibuster judicial nominees, the so-called "the nuclear option" because Democrats have threatened to respond by using procedural rules to shut the Senate down. (Under current Senate rules, 60 of the 100 senators are needed to cut off debate, and the Democrats have 45. That has been enough to sustain a filibuster, but not to win votes.) Neutering the filibuster would be unpopular with Americans, nearly six in ten (57 percent) of whom would disapprove. Even one-third (33 percent) of Republicans say they would object to such a move.

Still, as unfavorably as they view taking away the filibuster option, Americans may not have the stomach for an obstructionist Democratic response. Nearly half (46 percent) say they would disapprove of retaliatory slowing down or stopping of Senate business; 40 percent say they would approve of such a move. Political independents disapprove by a 47 percent-36 percent margin; just 26 percent of self-identified Democrats would disapprove. "

[stevebreeze]

40. quick question what congress in recent past staged the most filibusters?

It was the republicans in 92 -94. The GOP paid a hell of a price for all those filibusters in the 94 elections didn't' they? "Americans may not have the stomach for an obstructionist response"??? What liberal media?

[spooky3]

45. has it ever occurred to the chimp that the stock market

is supposed to have been growing at 8% per year but it is actually still BELOW where it was 5 years ago, and that only an idiot would introduce a plan to move guaranteed COLA-adjusted benefits into the stock market when it is VERY salient that people often lose money there and have long period where they gain nothing??????

[ailsagirl]

50. I'll drink to that, coloradodem2005!!!!!

:toast:

[Obviousman]

2. How was it that we lost in November, again?

[still_one]

5. because people are morans

50% of the people who could vote didn't

Kerry did NOT send a clear consise message

During the campaign he was at the Grand Canyon and asked if he would still have voted to give * the authority to go into Iraq knowing what he knows now, and he said yes

[bvar22]

23. That was the day....

..Kerry lost the election. :(

However, the poll data is GREAT news! :)

Although the last time bush* was sinking this fast, 9-11 :scared:

[Robeson]

53. My thoughts exactly....

[ashmanonar]

32. that 50% of people never vote.

so it's probably not for lack of message. they just DON'T.

apparently they don't care if their country is being headed by villains.

[leesa]

9. Because our GOP controlled media betrayed the people of America

Bush made no sense, destroyed most everything in 4 years and yet they praised him as the second coming of Christ. Place the blame in the right place...the GOP machine and their bought and paid for media.

[Griffy]

19. WE didnt lose.. duh.. Kerry won and bush inagurated..

the stole election is so obvious... I was with thousands outside the Capitol on the 6th of January. If and when we fix the election system(which will NEVER happen as long as people dont understand and accept the rigged elections of '00, '02 .. and '04) we will win offices.

[Carolab]

55. CORRECT. In FAIR elections, DEMOCRATS WIN.

Repukes DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS TO WIN. They must CHEAT and SUPPRESS VOTES.

[AntiCoup2K4]

21. Diebold

and the 50% of apathetic fucks who apparently aren't bothered by fascism enough to get off their ass.

[Leilani]

36. Because people were unhappy with their choice

They didn't want Bush, but Kerry/Edwards was not a pleasant alternative to many.

[porkrind]

47. they stole the election.

exit polling shows it clearly.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[consciousobjector]

49. We didn't n/t

[Clark2008]

52. We didn't.

"It's the machines, stupid."

[joeybee12]

3. Yup, and he got re-elected fair and square...I mean, it always happens

when someone is so universally disliked--people vote for him!

[smoogatz]

4. They stood in line for hours

to vote against gay marriage--that great threat to American society.

[sweetladybug]

8. Bush DID NOT get elected by the people in either elections

THE REPUBLICANS ARE STEALING ELECTIONS! Polls have not jived in 2000, 2002 and 2004. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS PICTURE! It does not make sense for his job approval to be less than his job disapproval after just being (so called) re-elected. This country is in deep sh-t. Corporate America is controlling our country, the people aren't.

[smoogatz]

12. You're preaching to the choir

I was being ironic.

[MADem]

20. I thought the above posters were being snarky

I don't think they really believe the chimp won. He used voter suppression tactics for sure, and I personally think he tweaked the system and shaved and plumped votes in the battlegrounds, at a minimum....

[spanone]

6. Now that bush* is the king he could give a shit what people think.

He doesn't care what the people, congress, or the world at large thinks. Think man date.

[ElectroPrincess]

13. Yes, but if * can NOT get the Republican Congress to vote EVERY

damn aspect of the SS reforms that he wants, we'll see a major Bush Co. hissy-fit melt down. * acts like an adolescent King, he hates to be corrected (about anything!); and may just emotionally implode in public if he doesn't get his way.

Other than Judge selection, nobody has said "No" to *. I wonder what KKKarl will do if it's clear that they will lose on SS?

I'm afraid to even focus on the above but one thing you can say about these bloated and selfish RW Republican Representatives - They're not boring. ;)

[Iggytop]

48. I think SS is

just a smoke screen to pass all the other pukey shit. And if they get lucky , get some kind of SS deal all the better. But it keeps everyone looking the other way while the pukes keep passing other crap..........

[Goldeneye]

7. The 7% who don't know

are Bushies suffering from a severe case of denial.

[McCamy Taylor]

10. Mandate? What mandate?

:dem:

[MoonAndSun]

11. Since this poll is on the MSNBC website, will the Nightly News cover

these numbers on tonight's broadcast?

If they do not talk about his dropping approval numbers it will be just another indication of how the SCLM is trying desparately to cover the Chimps butt.

[senseandsensibility]

14. Exactly

I think I know what our "fair and balanced" corporate media will do, don't you?

[montana500]

15. I guess the MSM will.....

....stop referring to him as the "popular war time president" then?

[senseandsensibility]

16. In your dreams!

:mad:

[autorank]

17. "Management" is unhappy with *. This is a message. We're coming

to get you..."They're coming to take <him> away, haha!"

[BikeWriter]

18. So much for his mandate. I want him impeached!

[FourStarDemocrat]

61. Maybe a large-scale impeachment campaign is in order?

It will be impossible to act upon with a Republican-led congress, but still if we can get millions of citizens to sign petitions going to congressional leaders saying that this is the will of the American people, it won't help the so-called ;legacy' that the chimp is trying to create for himself.

[BikeWriter]

67. Hell yes, I'll sgn it!

[Mark E. Smith]

24. America is Finally Learning To Hate This Guy

Who knows, people like us could very well be coming back into style!

[Pirate Smile]

25. We need to tie him around the necks of the Republicans in 2006.

[Malva Zebrina]

27. After the fool he made of himself on his Europe trip

with the rictus smiling do nothing first lady, we saw the hiring of Karen Huge. Then, we see the coward, the strong and resolute, drag Mommy out to help him out on his failing SS initiative. Huge's work, no doubt and it makes him look like a whiney little boy who needs his Mommy. Next--probably Laura, who worked about five years of her life and has subsisted for the rest of it off the Bush money. NExt? The twins--and they still do not have a job, but continue partying. They were in Bates College in Maine, supporting Jenna's newest beau, the head of the college Repbuplicans, signing autographs and who knows what else, and then they went on to visit the U of Maine at Orono. Do you suppose they are getting paid for this?

Whatever--they both will never have to worry about depending upon SS, since they seem to be spending money just fine without a job.

Look for more tacky PR efforts by the renowned KH and have a good laugh.

[montana500]

28. newsweek: Social Insecurity - Bush approval numbers down everywhere

March 19 - Although President George W. Bush has been traveling the country touting a new plan to overhaul the Social Security system, campaigning in 15 states over six weeks, the majority of Americans remain unswayed, according to the latest NEWSWEEK poll. Only one-third of all Americans (33 percent) approve of his proposal to create investment accounts under Social Security, the poll found, while 59 percent disapprove. More Americans (44 percent) trust Congressional Democrats with managing the 70-year-old program. The poll also found that, with the exception of his handling of terrorism and homeland security, his approval numbers are down across the board.

[whistle]

29. I'll be relieved when Bush's approval numbers hit single digits

[Pirate Smile]

30. Earlier thread on this poll

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1671154

[kentuck]

31. He thinks he's the most popular leader since Caesar....

He's out of touch with reality. It's all a game to him. A game of politics which he fancies himself a master. It doesn't matter what it costs or who suffers, so long as he "wins" the game.

[Mr_Spock]

33. Who is this "Bush" character anyway?

I've never heard of him? :shrug:

[senseandsensibility]

37. Is this a real page/article from this week's Newsweek?

I haven't seen a link yet. Thanks.

[Pirate Smile]

44. It says Web Exclusive.

[Mark E. Smith]

34. That's what happens when you threaten an entitlement...

The Republicans have now reached their Waterloo. They can't touch entitlements, but they also can't raise the taxes needed to pay for them and stave off nat'l insolvency.

Of course, the GOP has convinced the American people that they can have govt services and still not pay the freight. Won them a couple of elections, actually. And most Americans would probably be perfectly happy to allow fiscal bridge jumpers like Bush to continue borrowing just so long as the free lunch doesn't get threatened.

2006 is going to be interesting. Will the patriotism of the American people extend to reaching into their pockets to save their country?

[paineinthearse]

35. I think Nixon was somewhere near 35% when he resigned. nt

[Orlandodem]

38. Now we must make this translate into victory

in 2006 at all levels!!!

[snippy]

39. To know him is to loathe him. n/t

[deadparrot]

41. Doesn't mean much if the Democrats can't take advantage

and win a goddamn election.

[BlueManDude]

42. He's a Popular Wartime President OK!!!

didn't you get the message?

[dhinojosa]

43. I want to know why he got "elected"

Bush sucked so much it the election shouldn't even have been close enough to even STEAL!!!!!

[marcologico]

46. 9/11 + Iraq + tax "cuts" + 24/7 anti-Kerry propaganda everywhere +

+ rigged elections run by partisan state election chiefs and protected by stacked state and federal courts.

[KaliTracy]

51. he didn't. it wasn't. you don't just pull 3Mil over winning the popular

vote to come up with numbers like this -- even immediately after the election -- his numbers were down. Various methods used, but I feel *'s "legacy will not be social security "reform." How far up the chain of command this goes remains to be seen. Didn't Gore get in trouble for making a few campaign phone calls from the WH? What the hell is Rove doing there anyway?

[DesEtoiles]

54. just think what Rove's internal polling must reveal...

[Pirate Smile]

56. Perhaps this - "RNC Warning of House Losses in '06?"

RNC Warning of House Losses in '06?
by Hunter
Sat Mar 19th, 2005 at 21:18:41 PST

Interesting. Robert Novak over at townhall says:

"WASHINGTON -- Analysts at the Republican National Committee (RNC) have sent this warning to the House of Representatives: the party is in danger of losing 25 seats in the 2006 election and, therefore, of losing control of the House for the first time since the 1994 election.

Although some Republicans on Capitol Hill believe the RNC is just trying to frighten them, concern about keeping the present 232 to 202 edge pervades GOP ranks. The second mid-term election of an eight-year presidency often produces heavy congressional losses for the party in power.
A footnote: Rep. Christopher Shays, re-elected from his Connecticut district last year with 52 percent, is considered by colleagues as the most vulnerable Republican incumbent. Other especially shaky GOP House members include Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania and Rob Simmons of Connecticut."

Novak may be Satan's Poolboy, but he is well connected inside the Republican Party (as the Plame case makes abundantly clear.)

Now maybe the RNC really is concerned about losing 25 seats next year, or maybe they're "just trying to frighten" House Republicans into thinking so. Either way, it seems pretty obvious they're sending up a warning flare that maybe, just maybe, the House Republicans might want to rein in on the wackiness and start looking a bit less... whatever the hell they've been going for, these past few years.

We've been thinking that the ethical lapses (ethical lapses? Try bribery, extortion, corruption, and a near-complete dismantling of the House ethics system) of the current House Republicans have opened up a big hole against which Democrats can run nationwide next year. This seems to be hinting that the RNC sees the same hole?

http://www.dailykos.com/

[LynnTheDem]

58. What's so hilarious, he's WORST at "homeland security" and "war on terra"

Yet those are the ONLY 2 issues he's NOT negative on.

The "homeland security" people, such as cops and firefighters and all the other first-responders endorsed KERRY because of bush's constant cutting of funding for homeland security!

Our NATIONAL GUARD are NOT HERE to defend us. The few who are here are exhausted, worn out, with crappy old useless equipment.

His own "homeland security" people are pissed off because bush has CUT THEIR FUNDING.

As for his "war on terra", EVEN THE US GOVERNMENT...BUSH'S GOVERNMENT...have issued several reports stating that in fact TERRORISM and the THREAT OF terrorism HAVE INCREASED under bush, and that the invasion of Iraq has INCREASED the threat of terrorism.

I mean HELLO 57% of AMERICANS; THIS IS THE SAME IDIOT WHO HAD 911 HAPPEN ON HIS WATCH WHILE HE WAS OFF ON THE LONGEST VACATION IN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY AFTER HE'D BEEN WARNED MANY TIMES ABOUT IMPENDING ATTACKS DUHHHHHH!

57% of Americans; stupidest MFers on the planet.

[marcologico]

59. The good news is that even stupid MFers can have buyer's remorse.

It sounds like they're finally getting a strong whiff of Chimp. They'll figure out the rest in time, not too much time let's hope.

[FourStarDemocrat]

60. Wait-- The 235 million used so far for propaganda, didn't bring results?

Watch them set aside even more $$$ for fake news programming in desperation.

Bu$h Sr. left office with approval ratings in the thirties, so we have a ways to go, but it looks like they're not going to get away with their mandate bullshit if these low ratings keep up. Still, they'll do anything to keep themselves in power, so I continue to worry about their ability to tamper with votes and election results.

[GOPBasher]

62. He's so unpopular, but yet he "won" the election.

Hmmmm. How does that happen, exactly? :shrug: (Hint: It starts with a "D" and end with "iebold.")

[senseandsensibility]

68. Has any Dem even hinted at these low poll numbers on the

mainstream media? Let alone tied them into election fraud. God, we're hopeless sometimes.

[latteromden]

63. I was afraid that "democracy spreading" (like in Lebanon) would boost his

poll numbers due to idiots that thought it was due to BUSH. I was wrong, though - I suppose we can be a rather smart country... sometimes.

[WI_DEM]

64. too bad these disapproval numbers didn't generate defeat at

the polls just five short months ago. Or did they?

[European Socialist]

65. Could it be...

the public finally took the blinders off and are seeing the cliff they are about to fly off.

[progressoid]

66. I have this dream that he gets recalled before he can appoint any supreme

court justices...