AP: "Poll: Bush Standing With Public Weakening" (44% approval)

[Sparkly]

Poll: Bush Standing With Public Weakening

Fri Apr 8, 6:15 AM ET

By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush's standing with the public is slumping just three months into his final term, but Americans have an even lower regard for the job being done by Congress.

Bush's job approval is at 44 percent, with 54 percent disapproving. Only 37 percent have a favorable opinion of the work being done by the Republican-controlled Congress, according to an AP-Ipsos poll.

Bush's job approval was at 49 percent in January, while Congress was at 41 percent.

"This is a pretty sour spring," said Karlyn Bowman, a public opinion analyst at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute. "People are not very impressed by what Bush is doing or by what Congress is doing — Democrats or Republicans."

(At least some percentage of those who voted for the Chimp must be unhappy with him now. What did they expect?)

Edited to add link:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=718&e=4&u=/ap/20050408/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_ap_ipsos_poll

[AllegroRondo]

1. Dont forget to email and rate the story

to get it on the 'most popular' listing.

[Ganja Ninja]

2. I knew this would happen.

Less than 6 months since the last election and NOW every one comes to their senses. How much longer will it be before we can drag him out of the peoples house by his heels and throw him on a Greyhound bound for Crawford?

[Ms_Mary]

3. 4 months down, 44 to go.

[progressiveBadger]

37. Perfect. The one month for each popularity %

Although, the rate he is dropping, the man will be sub-30 by the end of the year :)

[zanne]

4. This is why I think the election was rigged.

I don't usually give any credence to conspiracy theories, but this one makes alot of sense to me. He did such a horrible job in his first term and I knew of so many people who weren't planning on voting for him a second time. Even the polls showed he was losing.

[LisaLynne]

8. Yeah, I'm with you.

I keep thinking, "So who exactly voted for this guy?" If they voted for him in November, what has he done since then that's been any worse, really, than everything he did before? Makes you wonder.

[Ganja Ninja]

9. You can fool all the people some of the time but ...

you can't fool all the people all the time. Sooner or later there's going to be an election that's too lopsided to rig. This clown is making that more possible everyday.

[NinetySix]

22. Some or all of the people notwithstanding,

these people are, like all criminals, pragmatists. They know that all they have to do is to fool ENOUGH of the people ENOUGH of the time.

[lancdem]

44. Good point

Gore and Kerry never got far enough ahead.

[Lone Pawn]

12. But, then again, pre-election polling did show a neck-and-neck race.

The polls sometimes showed him losing and sometimes didn't. Sometimes they were insane, like when two days before the election Hawai'i seemed to be going nearly 60% for Bush.

People can change their opinions. There was a massive pro-Bush publicity rush in the media and in advertisements, and an equally large anti-Kerry one during the election. Now that that's gone, people are starting to come to their senses.

[Jo March]

16. zanne, the election was most certainly rigged

If Chimpy was so popular that he "won" a second term, why are his supporters turning on him now after only 4 months? It makes no sense.

I am not a statistician like TruthIsAll but I smelled a rat right after the election when *'s approval ratings showed to be in the low 40s.

It makes no sense. Sometimes you have to go with your gut feelings. My gut tells me that there is no way on God's green earth that he was "re-elected." (I use quotes because he was never elected the first time.)

[Totally Committed]

27. I think the election was rigged, too....

had to be -- that's how this administration does things.

But, I think the DNC/DLC lack of backbone/balls/will to win contributed greatly -- I believe, to the pointof complicity. They screwed us right along with the Wingnuts, imo.

It is time for us to take back our Party, our media, and start electing people with balls, backbones and the will to win. We cannot govern if we cannot win.

TC

[Stephen The Liberal]

79. DNC/DLC will not have a back bone as long as

the corporations contrail most of the polital campaign money and the media.

[AuntiBush]

50. Sensibility. Reason. Common Sense & Instincts.

Exactly, Arnheim! Not on God's green earth did they win a re-election. Too many people came out to fight for "something." And it wasn't for the bullcrap. It was rigged as the day is long.

Money. Big Corps own the hill. How long do even they think they're greed will continue before all American's will say "enough is enough."

More Bush supporters today told me they're so fed-up w/Repub congress and Bushie they're now standing behind me, telling me how sorry they are. These are highly intelligent, well-rounded folks w/high-end educations. Conservatives, they're saying IF DEMOCRAT CONGRESS MEMBERS would show some LEADERSHIP, and TELL IT LIKE IT IS, explaining issue to them, they're ready to listen. But they need to see GUTS & Common Sense.

None of them want to get rid of SS; Medicare, Education or housing for the poor. None of them like DELAY and seen those tactics. They feel bascially "duped," big-time.

[Jo March]

59. We need to link * to Delay at every opportunity

* is just as bad as Delay but Delay is way more vocal. Rove keeps * on too tight a leash to let him speak out like * does.

More and more repubs will get buyers' remorse. When will they learn? It will be just like Nixon voters. The diehards will be loyal forever but the moderates will begin to see the light.

Those folks need to know the truth about the election and about *.

[wryter2000]

33. Yup

More people voted for Gore than voted for this clown. Does anyone know anyone who voted for Gore who voted for asshole in 2004? On the other hand, everyone knows several people who switched from * to Kerry and several people who voted for Nader who switched to Kerry. So, where did the new * voters come from?

And, on top of that, the exit polls showed a decisive win for Kerry. Plus, all the irregularities that we can prove.

No way this moron won the election.

[AnneD]

77. ITA

Why were the exit polls in the Ukraine upheld as definitive proof of a rigged election, but in this country they were poopooed as an anomaly. Elsewhere, they are the gold standard. When the MSM was reporting about the Ukrainian elections, I mentally substituted 'Ukraine' for 'United States'....it was scary how similar the stories were. We were let down by the Dem leadership and Kerry. This was the second time they let the election he stolen. They should have refused to concede and forced counts. We may have to use the Ukranian model (literally taking to the streets) to instill democracy again.

[Laurab]

55. I've never given any credence to conspiracy theories

But the bush administration has changed that. I believe they are capable of anything, and I tend to believe any conspiracy theory involving this administration now. If they ever do tell the truth, I probably won't believe them.

I believed they stole the election the minute I heard the results.

[ClassWarrior]

13. More like a Greyhound bound for Leavenworth.

NGU.

[NinetySix]

24. That's better than Mussolini received.

[cybildisobedience]

36. don't worry -- the majority came to the senses before the election

Their votes just didn't count.

[lancdem]

43. Yep

We knew he was incompetent for years. To be honest, I think there were a decent number of people who voted for Bush in 2004 even though they weren't thrilled with him; they just never felt comfortable with Kerry. It's a sad phenomenon, really.

[brokensymmetry]

5. Looks like all that political capital is melting away.

Gee, that's too bad! :evilgrin:

[Warren Stupidity]

6. When will the DNC wake up?

It is time for the Democratic Part to start running against Congress and the President, rather than endlessly trying to play nice with them. The public sentiment is decidely anti-incumbent. Godammit take advantage of the public mood. Take a page out of the rethuglican play book. Run against Washington! Run ads with a bug-man stand-in with cash falling out of every pocket sleazing it up with bankers and wall street sharks - remember how they used a tip on'neil look-alike to run against the 'washington fat cats'? Why the heck are we so afraid to take the side of the little guy? Why are we so afraid to stand up and say what has to be said?

[freedom_to_read]

23. I agree

What do they have to lose?

[Totally Committed]

32. I SO agree...

totally!

TC

[AuntiBush]

51. God, I'm with you! You said it!

Really! Agree 100 percent! Well said!

[jojogunn]

7. stolen election proof

Either there is a huge disconnect in this country or the whole election was a sham.

Mandate my ass.

[spooky3]

10. welcome to DU, jojogunn!

[jojogunn]

11. thanks spooky. its good to be among the sane.

[ClassWarrior]

14. Now that's stretching it. But welcome nonetheless...

:hi:

NGU.

[Rambis]

15. Make sure you lump the Dems in there

Things stink so now it is everyone's fault! Why is it when things are going well all you hear is... glory to * and those god fearing republicans. I call Bullshit on this right now!

[Warren Stupidity]

21. part of the problem

is that our 'opposition party' continues to fail to act as an opposition party. It keeps voting with the now clearly despised rethuglicans. Thus it cannot unambiguously call 'bullshit' on bush or on congress, 'cause that shit is smeared all over our pants too.

[Rambis]

25. Good point

I am so sick and tired of all of it. Everything Clinton did was because of Raygun and all * problems are because of Clinton they can't have it both ways. The have the white house and they have the congress in their control these fuckups are their fault! I understand the no spine democrat argument and agree with it but at some point the pugs have to take the blame too.

[THUNDER HANDS]

17. the problem is

very rarely do people equate problems with congress to problems with their particular congressperson.

Often people have higher regard for their own representative than they do for congress as a whole.

It doesn't help when Democrats don't lay blame at Republicans in entirty, but try to work with them until their pants are halfway around their ankles and there's a gag ball in their mouth and they're wondering what that jar of petrolium jelly on the night stand is for.

[raccoon]

18. time for a neon chartreuse terror alert! nt

[AtLiberty]

19. Rate this story up!

[OneTwentyoNine]

20. Any lower and be prepared for a "Terra" attack.....

Real or trumped up on the color chart it will happen and then George will lead us all back to safety when the threat is thwarted. Mindless FOX viewers can go back to Bush boot licking and the number will rise.

Mr.Obvious where are you??....

[bejammin075]

26. Time for a reddish-orange terror alert

[Rambis]

30. This will do

Two F-16s forced the aircraft - heading to the city's Ciampino airport - towards a nearby air base, Italian news agencies said.

There were fears a bomb may have been on board, but no bomb was found, intelligence and military sources said.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4425631.stm

[Roland99]

45. Like the State Dept. travel warning re:Israel and the Gaza?

[BlueIris]

74. Holy shit. I missed that. That is...not good, people. n/t

[SnowGoose]

28. We need a "gannon" in WH press corps to ask:

"Sir, given that the President's approval rating has fallen so abysmally low, when can we expect the next terror alert?"

Can you just freaking IMAGINE? I would probably have fall on my knees and say "Oops, sorry god, guess you existed after all. No hard feelings?"

[Raksha]

76. Yeah, I can IMAGINE it...

"Sir, given that the President's approval rating has fallen so abysmally low, when can we expect the next terror alert?"

...but it would be one hell of a lot better actually HEARING it! Since that isn't very likely, imagining it will just have to do. <sigh>

[Ishoutandscream]

29. Look at how the article says "Democrats or Republicans"

Hey, ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ARE CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICANS!!! Funny how they had to put that little tidbit in there.

[PunkPop]

42. What do you expect

from "a public opinion analyst at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute." Another fair and balanced piece of journalism from the MSM :eyes:

And then this further down:

"I think the Democrats have to be clearer about offering alternatives, not just the critique," said Democratic pollster Celinda Lake. "People already know what the problems are, they want to know the solutions."

Hey America! Here's your solution: Get rid of the corrupt, power-drunk, fascist, sociopathic, mentally defective, fake christian Republicans that are currently in charge. That would be a good first step. Then whenever a decent idea is proposed by a Democrat there might be a chance in hell of seeing it survive past the embryonic stage.

[AuntiBush]

52. Noticed that too! Had to blame the Dems, can't be Republicans

when you have to be from MARS to not know Dems have NO CONTROL; the Republicans are in control, damn-it. Wake-up fellow Republican American's.

We're all sinking together.

[wryter2000]

31. Do tell

Remind me to call the DLC today and ask them to explain to me again why I should become more like the Repugnicans.

Off to rate the story

[calimary]

39. Touche.

Tell me again why I should shift to the "right"? Why I should embrace these ideas that don't stand even a partial vetting, the light of day, or - gasp - the truth. Go on, georgie-poo - SPEND that political capital. SPEND-SPEND-SPEND!!! SQUANDER-SQUANDER-SQUANDER!!! Do for yourself what you've done to America's treasury, reputation around the world, standing in the world, hopes, prospects for a brighter future, and heart and soul.

GOOD job, george. GOOD job.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

34. Karlyn Bowman -- What a Ho!

"People are not very impressed by what Bush is doing or by what Congress is doing — Democrats or Republicans."

Yes, the people are really pissed off at those Democrats who butted into the private affairs of the Schiavo family. And they're steamed as hell at those Democrats who re-introduced the concept of indentured servitude. Even though Tom Delay stops counting his illegal campaign contributions only long enough to snuff any Democratic amendments to his lunatic-fringe legislative agenda, people are equally pissed at the Republicans and the Democrats.

What an 'effing idiot!

[wryter2000]

35. Current rating on this story -- 4.2

Rate it up, folks, before the freepers find it!

[oxbow]

38. This is VERY significant

The Iraq war didn't touch him, the failing economy didn't faze the people. Whatever happenned, Bush never got below 50% until he intervened in the Terri Schiavo case. Then he dropped five points within a few days. Why? Was it public fear of government intrusion or of the religious right? Was this drop across the board or within a certain demographic? Is there a way to force his hand into making some more foolhardy moves for the sake of his "base?"

[lancdem]

46. Actually, Bush spent most of 2004 under 50 percent

in most polls. But I do think whatever Teflon he has left is almost gone - at least I hope!

[Jacobin]

70. And he was under 50% before he presided over the worst

attack on American soil since the war of 1812, and thereby became some sort of hero

[Arkana]

40. And yet he will NEVER slide beneath 40%

because there is that solid block of idiot that will support him no matter what.

[oxbow]

41. I thought evangelicals were only 33% of the population

Besides, the Catholic church is against both the death penalty and war in Iraq. Those are wedge issues. If we could isolate the evangelicals and Bush, Delay and Frist, then people would get even more pissed at em. I'm almost liable to let them do what they please at this point, just so they can shoot themselves in the foot some more unimpeded.

[abluelady]

63. Exactly

His poll numbers are dropping because of Independents. The republicans still back him. How can that be with everything going on in this country???

[GOPBasher]

47. Exactly, Sparkly! What did they expect?

That drives me insane. So many people who don't know shit about how politics affects their lives voted for him just because "he's a good Christian man and my pastor told me to." Now what do they think? It's unbelievable. I know people who are trying to support a family on $9/hr with no health insurance or any prayer of sending them to college, yet voted for Bush. :bandhead:

[Az_lefty]

48. Gee, even JP II's funeral didn't give him a boost. n/t

[oxbow]

65. that was just today. Polls wouldn't show that yet.

However, if his recent drop was among non-evangelicals, then I doubt a christian funeral is going to raise their estimates of him much.

[AuntiBush]

49. Lie Down w/Dogs & You Always Come-Up w/Fleas Everytime.

It's a little too late, now. Chimp is on the thrown now.

Shouldn't Congress and Prez aides nudge them and hint that maybe, just maybe the American people from both parties are more then unhappy, their down right ticked w/the way their running things.

But no. Chimp only wants good stuff. Must be nice to be part of the 1 per centers. You know, the have's... as compared to the 98-99 percent of us "have-nots." We're not the base. We're just American citizens. The footers of his debt.

[proud_dem]

53. Not only did he rig the election, here is how he is rigging ...

the stock market and why he is selling our jobs to China.

http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/reality/2005/0403.html



It was posted by Warpy in the Economy, Budget, Taxes & Jobs forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=114x15412

[CanOfWhoopAss]

54. So the poll consisted of how many repukes?

I bet of the 1001 polled, 70% were repukes and he still couldn't make 50%.

[The Donkey]

56. Here's the most telling part of the piece (in my opinion)

While Democrats firmly disapprove of Bush's job performance and independents lean toward disapproval, Republicans remain firmly behind him.

"I don't know that the exit strategy in Iraq is completely thought out. And I don't know that all the Social Security options have been explored," said Scott Lindsey, a Republican who lives around Memphis, Tenn. "But I think President Bush is doing a good job."

This is the bedrock that will be the most difficult to erode.

[BlueIris]

75. Yep. And I meet scary little neocon clones on the street everyday

parroting this line back at me, despite the fact that they are POOR, DRAFT-AGE MEN. Actual statement made to me last week: "I just don't think Bush has done that bad a job." They're brainwashed. It's going to be a long road back.

[morffin]

57. 44 points too high

his appr. rating should be ZERO

[saltpoint]

58. The Bush administration's rating with historians will be lower still.

They deserve an extremely low rating of approval, as they have earned just that.

A dismal pack of lying mediocrities.

[ginnyinWI]

60. Get the popcorn ready, sit back and watch

We are soon going to be seeing the destruction of the Repub political machine. The signs are all there. The factions, the infighting, the thick-headed stubborness of those in power all point to it. Maybe they won't be totally destroyed, but the Dems are going to be back in the majority soon, maybe as early as the 2006 elections!

The Repubs have become arrogant and careless, like any group in power. They are trying to use policies that no longer work, like the "trickle down" tax cut idea from the Reagan era. If it doesn't work, they just do it harder! They are in disarray as they flounder about for something that will work, but their ideas are old.

The Dems need to be careful that it doesn't happen to them when they get both Congress and the White House back again. They need to remain tuned in to serving the people, and be open to change, and not take themselves too seriously or think they have all the answers. They need to keep an eye on the big picture and not get distracted pleasing this or that special interest group. If they concentrate on solving the people's problems rather than politics, they will have a nice, long-lasting reign, and America will be better for it.

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[bling bling]

61. Well, I guess the DLC is right.

This settles it. Dems should continue to move more to the right and start acting like conservatives because that's what Americans obviously want.

/sarcasm off/

[jmcon007]

62. But, hey, Freedom's on the March!

[patricia92243]

64. Does anybody know what the lowest poll numbers for a Prsident were?

[nightfire]

66. When Nixon resigned his approval ratings were in the mid-20s

I hate to think that this bottom line baseline of dogmatic stupidity has grown.

[borg5575]

71. Truman was in the high twenties.

I don't support Bush either God forbid, but I'm not going by polls. Sometimes like in the case of the great Democrat President Harry Truman, the public had it all wrong and in hindsight most historians feel that HST was a great president.

Lets also not forget that at times Bush has rode high in the polls too just like he is lagging now. Polls go up and down.

[mountainvue]

67. It scares me when his approval ratings get

this low. It makes me wonder what's going to happen.

[Jacobin]

72. Well, he doesn't have to worry about getting sElected anymore

so, prolly nothing to worry about. On the other hand, another nice little war would get his numbers going again....say maybe, invade Cuba or some other close by country, maybe using the Boy Scouts?

Freepers would love that

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

68. And *'s attitude is "So what?"

He's like Alfred E Neuman more than just in looks. "What me worry?"

[BlueIris]

69. Well, at least that headline is sort of good.

I believe that's the first time the situation has been overtly characterized as bad, or a result of "weakening." Not that * or his cronies care, but it's nice to be able to pretend for five seconds that our MSM is not fubar.

[googly]

73. Bush's ratings are directly inverse of gasoline prices!

If the gas prices stay around $3 per gallon at election
time, repugs are gonna take a beating at the polls.

[NoodleBoy]

78. hahaha... Anyone remember how low is rating went after he was selected in

2000, then went way up after 9/11?

Seems like four years later, the American people are realizing why they once thought Bush was a complete jackass.

I hope to see his approval rating get EVEN LOWER by the end of 2005. I'm talking only hovering above the 30's by pollsters intentionally skewing the results up.