Why isn't Bush CRUSHING Kerry?

[DrBB]

I got a reply from someone with a name and an email address at ABC when I sent them a slightly snarky email about The Note's "It was a tie" treatment of the debate. So since I had some kind of live wire, I just sent this reply to her "Thanks for your message":

Thanks for your reply, and sorry for my snarky comment at the end. But I have a quick question that maybe you can put forward.

Why isn't Bush crushing Kerry? Isn't that the real mystery of this race?

How come with all the stories about how Kerry is (or was) on the ropes, struggling, his campaign in disarray, whatever, you never focus on the simple, dirt-obvious fact that it is BUSH who is in trouble?

Don't laugh, listen: He should be up by 15-20 points, shouldn't he? Or at least a solid unambiguous 8-12? I mean, not long ago he had something like an 80% approval rating, yes? And he can't think of anything he ever did wrong. Yet he's struggling to maintain an edge of 1-3%. When you look at an aggregate chart of his poll track since he took office, it has been a steady, relentless decline. Puncuated by spikes for 9/11, the Iraq war, Saddam's capture, then back to down down down.

Why is that, do you suppose? Shouldn't you guys, as journalists, find that interesting? I mean "He's such a likeable guy," right? He's "The guy you'd love to have a beer with" (well, if he wasn't on the wagon), "Our popular president," "A man in touch with the people," yes? But despite those spikes, the guy has been sinking relentlessly ever since he was sworn in. Why is that? Wouldn't a merely adequately competent chief executive be soaring in the polls right now?

Why is BUSH struggling? You guys are journalists. Don't you think it might be worth asking that question once in a while? Kicking it around a bit on the chat shows? If you spent half the time--heck, a tenth--on that question that you spend on Kerry's problems, Bush would be in the toilet by now. Is that why you don't ever bring it up?

Oops, snarky again. But I sincerely wonder about this. Are you sure you don't have some double standards working here?

Thanks again for responding, however briefly.

[Wapsie B]

1. That's a question that needs

to be shouted from the rooftops. I almost felt sorry for the repugs in a way. Here they are forced to rally behind a weak unelected fraud as the standard-bearer for their beloved gop. If chimpy were as great as some repugs say he is this race would already be over he would be so far ahead. Some of his core cannot face the fact that this whole presidency has been nothing but smoke and mirrors. Yes, why isn't W just crushing Kerry?

[shockingelk]

2. good question

Why isn't the President fighting to keep his presidency?

[MatrixEscape]

3. From what I have read ...

I DON'T think you would want to imbibe any alcohol with Bush. It has been said that he was a rather mean drunk during his drinking career. :spank:

[gypsyangel]

4. Great Comeback

Funny how they can't answer the questions that require them to think for themselves.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi gypsyangel!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[carpetbagger]

5. His popularity was not based on his own merits.

His popularity was based on a desire of patriotic Americans to think and hope for the best in their leadership. It took him much, much farther in his presidency than what he earned on his own.

His policies suck. Mightily. And he has absolutely no way of defending them well.

[tomfodw]

6. What makes you think the press is any smarter...

...than the rest of the American public?

I remember when Nixon nominated G. Harrold Carswell to the Supreme Court. Roman Hruska, Republican Senator from Nebraska, responded to criticisms of Carswell, that he was a mediocre choice, by saying, "Well, there are a lot of mediocre lawyers and judges in the country. Don't they deserve representation?" (Needless to say, the Senate refused to confirm Carswell. And that bizarrely idiotic statement is the only thing anyone remembers Roman Hruska for.)

Anyway, there are a lot of idiots in the country? Don't they deserve representation in the press? Clearly, they do. And clearly, they're getting it.

[pretzel4gore]

7. wasn't carswell caught doing the restroom thing?

he was your typical ratwinger, a hypocrite who lived a lie....and as far as hruska's whine, the mediocre today are 100 percent represented, both in gov and media

[baltodemvet]

9. Now that's great stuff!

Well done!!!:toast: