Poll Suggests Bush Support Has Grown

[Barrett808]

Poll Suggests Bush Support Has Grown
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush got a boost from the public's recent focus on the funeral of Ronald Reagan and support for his Iraq policy spiked over the last month as the United States prepared to hand power over to Iraqis, according to a poll released Thursday.

What's not clear, however, is the effect the Sept. 11 commission's Wednesday statement that it has found no credible evidence Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida had a collaborative relationship will have on the polls. The commission's findings raised fresh questions about the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq.

Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center, said the poll found evidence that Bush got a benefit from the attention paid to the Reagan funeral and the moves toward a handover of power in Iraq. Interviews for the poll started before Reagan's death and continued during the coverage of the extended period of memorials and funerals.

"Bush got a little lift last week from the Reagan commemoration," Kohut said. "His (approval) ratings were 44 percent in interviewing done before ... and went up to 50 percent after Reagan's death."

Bush's job approval rating in the poll was 48 percent, up slightly from 44 percent in May, according to the poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. The poll of 1,806 adults was taken from June 3-13 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, slightly higher for the sample of registered voters.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040617/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_poll&cid=694&ncid=1480

[WI_DEM]

1. not much of a boost

and as far as turning over to Iraqi government goes--the people will see that will not change a damn thing either.

[bushwakker]

14. Whaddyya mean...Iraq will have full sovereignty on June 30th

AWOL said so.

[yellowcanine]

2. Unfortunately for Bush, Reagan can only die once. No encore possibilities

there, shrubbie. Sorry. (No, I'm not.)

[izzie]

8. You mean we can not drag the poor old guy out?

Bush will now try and be RR. We said it would go up some.

[Generator]

9. I know but me and the hubbie were having nightmares

what if Bush Sr. passed, Babs, the wifey. How many deaths would it take to get a real favorable rating?

[colonel odis]

19. i'm thinking it would take just one.

unfortunately, if i said whose, men in dark suits would show up at my door.

[iconoclastic cat]

22. Reagan: "I'm getting better!"

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

44. "Bring out your dead!"

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

48. "I feel Happy! I feel Happy!"

[Barkley]

51. Good Response - nt

[phillybri]

3. Both are external forces that will wear off...

People will forget about Reagan and once June 30th passes and nothing changes in Iraq, people will know it was bullshit...

[elfwitch]

4. I swear people just don't use their brains...

How pathetic is it that the general opinion of the man would increase merely because someone nobody has given much thought to in the last 5-10 years kicked the bucket?

I know that I'll get slapped down for this but, DAMN! I am tired of sheeple. Grow a fucking brain stem. Turn off your TV. Do whatever it takes to restore some critical thinking skills.

[jackstraw45]

10. Not slamming you..agreeing

There are a LOT of STUPID people in the United States. Our education system STINKS and this is a perfect example of what is WRONG with our country.

With all the scandals and lies and death and war and dirty tricks, Bush has a 4 point LEAD on Kerry in the Pew poll and a 48% APPROVAL RATING.


WHAT THE F*CK are these people approving of exactly?!?!?!

[Catfight]

13. and did you ever notice bush has the support of the states that also

have high high school drop out rates? Not a smart bunch of people who get easily persuaded by polls. But then again, anyone who's taken an American National Government course knows that the wording of polls can easily manipulate or skew the actual question. In short, poll companies make a living by working very closely with marketing companies and campaign organizations. If they actually had an honest, unbiased poll, it wouldn't be beneficial to their own self interest, so one week bush is up, the next week John is up. One week you're outraged, the next you're happy, and you can't WAIT till those polls tip in your favor! The only poll that counts, it your vote (unless your from Florida or Ohio or any swing state) at the voting center. See you in November!

[Longhorn79]

28. I've been on that side of the debate before, but

now I don't think it's so simple a matter as raw intelligence that separates liberals and conservatives. Something less tangible (not that intelligence is very tangible) like an ethical sense or personal independence probably separates us more concretely.

[iconoclastic cat]

24. Why, they approve of death, of course!

Death is Bush's most loyal ally.

[Skittles]

41. um

most of the people I know who support Bush have college degrees; so much for "education".

[dusty64]

40. You are NOT alone, although

I suspect this is more of a last ditch desperate attempt to falsely boost chimpo's ratings.

[tom_paine]

5. So Raygun's "conveniently timed death" helped them

as they undoubtedly expected.

Of course, AP is a Corrupted Organization full of Bushevik Mockingbirds, Disinformationalists and Loyalist Editors and Managers.

Wholly untrustworthy.

PLUS the Busheviks have selected them to make sure the "Exit Polls" match the Diebold Results.

I cannot believe much of what AP prints. I'm sure theys till have some honest people there, but it's not enough for me to give them my tacit trust, especially if the info doesn't smell right.

This might be half-true, though.

[onehandle]

6. Ha ha ha! Yeah....That'll last. nt

nt

[CompassionateLiberal]

7. Emotions Always Win

This once again demonstrates that a significant portion of the population is easily politically influenced by emotion over facts. It explains why all of the outrageous crimes, blatant lies, and repeatedly proven abuses by this Administration have little effect on the polls. Too many in our country operate from the limbic regions of the brain, not their cerebrum.

[young_at_heart]

11. These people must have character flaws

There is no other way to explain their inability to notice the chaos going on all over this country!

[louis c]

12. Wait till the next three months

go by. The expectations of the American people that the war is basically over on June 30 is a result of the unrealistic rhetoric of the present administration. There will be basically no change, and some other countries' troops in the coalition will withdraw. The same rhetoric which created the false impression of a link between Saddam and Osama has left the impression that June 30 begins our exit. We know, and the administration knows, that's not the case. As a result, the general public will be very disappointed.

Next, Kerry will pick his VP choice, which will bring excitement,and attention to his campaign. It will also put another visible and viable campaigner on the stump.

Then, comes our convention, where our surrogates with strong credentials poke holes in the moron's policies, and shed light on our alternative positions.

Just to be close, or a little ahead of the incumbent at this point in an election year, has historically brought victory to the challenger.

This election polling data best resembles the numbers of 1980, with shrub playing the part of Carter. Expect a Kerry landslide (10%)

[AndyTiedye]

25. We Need a REAL Landslide (WELL OVER 20% MARGIN)

> Expect a Kerry landslide (10%)

a 10% "Kerry landslide" wouldn't be a landslide. It would be a LOSS!
Bush* gets at least a 7% boost from the Electoral College alone.
He can easily steal 3% with the help of Diebold.

We need a minimum of a 20% margin (60-40) to win. Even that may not
be enough, considering the way Diebold swung 13-16% of the total to
the Repubs in Max Clealand's Senate race and some others.

[lancdem]

15. Those ratings will come down

BTW, I'll bet support for his Iraq policy went up because it was out of the news for a week because of Reagan's death.

Though I have to admit this poll shows Nader hurting Kerry more than any I've seen lately, by 4 points. Ouch

[abelenkpe]

17. Nader is an ass

for running at all. I have lost all respect for him.

I had lunch the other day with my east coast living, conservative father. Maybe it's just the effects of his warped pov but I think the US is doomed to have bush, cheney and perpetual war around for another four years. I truly wish that Kerry would win but gotta admit I am losing hope fast. The main stream media is no help and lets face it: 90% of the voting public doesn't take any interest in the build up to the elections. They have already labeled themselves and will vote accordingly.

[HuckleB]

16. This always makes me so cynical.

I don't want to be, but I can't get the thought out of my head: "People are fucking idiots!" I want to have more faith. I really do. I want to believe that most people will use their heads, and do the right thing for the right reasons.

I guess I'm hopelessly infatuated with hope, but I keep getting let down by it. What's my problem?

[abelenkpe]

18. you're smart in a world full of dopes

You could choose to anesthetize yourself form reality, but I don't recommend that.

[CompassionateLiberal]

20. Unfortunately, you are absolutely correct

The only logical conclusion one can draw is that the majority of the people are:
A) unaware
B) ignorant
C) Both A & B

Although, one can argue that A & B are not mutually exclusive.

I'm quickly loosing faith in the majority of the population.

[ElementaryPenguin]

23. People are bigger "fucking idiots" than ever today because...

Most people no longer read. Instead, they are now educated and informed almost exclusively by television - which has dumbed their IQ level down to somewhere in the vicinity of the earthworm - easily manipulated little minds, which have become a mere jell-like putty in the hands of the right-wing, corporate controlled media!

Translation: we're now living in an insane asylum, so we are all oppressed by the stupidity of our fellow citizens. In short, we're all fucked, and we better cut a deal for part of Canada.

:puke:

[Corkey Mineola]

29. CORRECTION

AMERICAN people are idiots.

[HuckleB]

46. I wish it were that contained.

But look who's in office in Italy. Look at how long Thatcher remained in office in Britain. Look how many French voted for a bigoted fascist last time around. In Russia, no one even challenges the incredibly corrupt Putin.

Alas, we are not alone.

[sampsonblk]

21. They need a real alternative

They are stupid, but that's not the whole problem. They also need a real, strong alternative to Bush. Right now, its evident that they don't feel they have one.

Even more sadly, some of Bush's supposed bump must have come from Democrats. That's frightening.

[tkmorris]

27. That's not it

I wish it was, but I don't believe it. I think that if Dean were the nominee right now he'd be polling at about 36-38%. Ridiculous yes but I think it's true. Kucinich would be even lower. Kerry only polls as well as he does because he goes so far out of his way to not scare anyone. The minute he utters one thing that smacks of anything left of center the media will eviscerate him for it and the public opinion polls will reflect that.

Cynical? You bet, but I see no reason to change my view.

[sampsonblk]

38. You may be right

...and still not alter my point. When asked, no Dem leader would endorse the truth that Dean spoke - out of fear. So what is the public to think? That Dean isn't reliable and can't be trusted.

The Repubs, on the other hand, will stick up for Bush no matter what he says, and no matter how ridiculous it is. I hope everyone does realize that Bush spent months trying to convince us that Saddam had to be removed because he had weapons of mass destruction which of course did not exist. There is not ONE Dem leader willing to harp on this fact. And its a devastating fact. As long as we are so weak as to avoid mentioning the obvious (out of fear) we lose - and deservedly so.

As for Dean and Kucinich, you may be right. They are both seen as being anti-Bush candidates. The public may expect candidates to be FOR something. But there is certainly an opening for some candidate to be FOR the truth. The public (IMHO) will not shun such a man.

[saracat]

49. It wasn't " Dean's truth" they didn't support.

It was Dean. It was shoot the messenger. People ( in the Dem Heirarchy) had a problem with Dean being a "flip flopper". He was voted the fifth most conservative governor in the country and now tries to come across as a liberal. He didn't really support the much ballyhooed Domestic Partnership Act either. That was sponsoered by the legislature and merely signed by Dean ,and very quietly too, without ceremony, behind closed doors.In addition, the ant-war stance was new.He originally supported the same position as did Kerry. The RW press would have had a realfeild day. They have tried to push and manufacture things about Kerry but Dean would have been a loaded gun. These facts, coupled with Dean's delivery style, sealed his fate.

[sampsonblk]

50. That's not the issue

Dean said Bush LIED. Who cares about the other stuff that you mentioned. Bush DID lie. Where are the Dems who will publicly agree to this??

The things you said I don't disagree with. But what difference does that make?

[foo_bar]

26. the AP knows what people like

horseracing, daytrading. Bush up two cents on the Nikei Index.

[Corkey Mineola]

30. Ooops I did it Again!

Everytime there is one of those POLL stories, i click it and hold my breath.
This time Kerry and Shrub are tied.

I can't live like this til Nov 2 (or Dec 10, whenever the election is decided by...)

Please help me break my addiction to polls!

PHN

[billbuckhead]

31. I hope Jerry Ford's secret service detail is on high alert

[struggle4progress]

32. Americans more upbeat about Iraq, poll shows

<snip>
About 57 percent of Americans think that the military effort is going well, up from 46 percent last month. During the same period, Bush went from trailing Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry to leading slightly, 48 percent to 46 percent. A month ago, Kerry was on top in the presidential race, 50 percent to 45 percent.


The results of the latest Pew Research poll show how quickly the public mood can shift and underscore that the November election could hinge on the headlines of the moment. Bush's advantage over Kerry is within the poll's margin of error of 2.5 percentage points, which means the race is statistically too close to call.


"The terrain will surely shift between now and Election Day," Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said in a campaign analysis posted on the Internet. "Anyone who believes that the election could not go either way is too partisan to be helped."
<snip>
http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/8948586.htm

[Thor_MN]

33. Just like there are 1 million new jobs since august

according shrub's non stop commercial... it ends saying pessimism never created a single job (refering to Kerry talking about Depression.) I'm obliged to yell at the TV "You haven't created a single job either, Dumbass."

Praising a minor bounce off a huge drop is no accomplishment. Another favorite of mine is the lumber interests spouting that ther are more trees in Minnesota now than in 1930... Yeah, right after the finished clear cutting the freaking state. Is this the right wing's best line "We are slightly better than absolute crap?"

[missedherniceguy]

34. Just wait for the Clinton Republicans to wake up

Now that Bill is back on the media circuit they should be out in droves.

[GaryL]

35. This is crap.

These polls are for shit. If you work in the inner circle of the candidates, these general polls mean nothing. The reality is, "w" tops out at 47%, period. Unless Nader can cream more than 6% off the top, Kerry's going to win the popular vote. Of course, if LIHOP occurs, then all bets are off. And, BTW, winning the popular vote doesn't mean a win in the general election. Regardless, I predict Kerry will pull 51%, 47% for jackass, and 2% for jackass #2 (and only because 2% of the voters are MORE stupid than those dopes that vote for dumbo).

[Enraged_Ape]

36. Oh, spare me. Reagan who?

It's a long, long road until the election. There's lots of Kobe, Michael, Britney, Scott Peterson, and American Idol reruns in the meantime. This is such a load of brown and lumpy, but I guess it's all the right wing press has.

[daleo]

37. Bush has had the Reagasm

With only a slight bounce, which will go back down. There will be no more where that came from.

The transfer of power will be meaningless, in terms of the military situation. That will soon become clear. Bush is a little better off on that one now, because they have obviously been keeping U.S. troops out of harm's way (about 20 dead in June so far, vs 80 in May). But the Iraqi resistance is now targeting infrastructure, contractors, and Iraqis working with the regime with near impunity. They can't let that go on forever, so casualties among U.S. troops are bound to go back up. So Bush's negatives will go back up as far at the war is concerned.

He may get a little boost from a Saddam trial, but that is very iffy considering the dirt Saddam may be able to bring out on the BFEE. In a fair trial Saddam could probably smear Bushco, so he is not likely to get much of a bounce from this area.

That leaves an Ossama capture or a new attack on the continental U.S. as possibilities to bring his numbers up. Neither of these are sure things either. But they are the things to watch for over the next months.

[dusty64]

39. So someone dies

and chimp basically tells his widow to fuck off as he attempts to hump the corpse to reelection and he actually gets a supposed BOOST out of it. Quagmire mounts in Iraq and some suddenly change their minds and think oh gee, things aren't so bad afterall. What a steaming crock of SHIT!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

42. Want to know who funds Pew Research?....

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1809497#1809677>


Remember, Google is your friend.

[johnnie]

43. No wonder

"Interviews for the poll started before Reagan's death and continued during the coverage of the extended period of memorials and funerals."

The pollsters were calling all the idiots sitting at home watching every snippet of the Reagan week saturation. Most of us who don't support the shrub were out living our lives. We just weren't home to answer the phones.

[NJmaverick]

45. Nothing more then a soft bounce

From the distorted Reagan love fest. This will pass like the rotton old raygun did.

[Tippy]

47. But, coupled with the news out of Russia

His numbers will go way up in the next poll...unless Putins words were spun...