Gallup: Powell Departure Would Hurt Bush Administration

[West Coast Democrat]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr030806.asp

Gallup Poll data strongly suggest that a Powell departure would be a significant loss for the Bush administration. Powell remains one of the most popular political figures in Gallup Poll history, and his current 83% favorable rating is some 18 points higher than the favorable rating of his boss, George W. Bush. Powell's image appears relatively impervious to damage; his favorable rating has remained high despite his public and visible connection with the administration's assertions earlier this year (still unproven) that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction.

(snip)

Unlike most Republicans who serve in the Bush administration (and of course, Bush himself), Powell's popularity extends across party lines. In June, his favorable rating among Republicans was 94%, among independents 78%, and among Democrats 82%. There is very little difference in Powell's ratings across ideological lines; liberals, moderates, and conservatives all give Powell equally high favorable ratings. Even some 69% of Americans who disapprove of the way President Bush is handling his job as president say they have a favorable opinion of Powell.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

1. Too bad he's not leaving.

That would have been a boost.

[Demobrat]

2. They'll never let him leave.

Not alive, anyway.

[MuseRider]

3. I kinda wondered

if he didn't leak this story himself. He can't be too happy with the way he has been treated and I think he knows that his absence might be a problem for Bush*. It was just a thought, probably I am giving him too much credit, credit he surely does not deserve.

[West Coast Democrat]

5. Maybe He'll Stay, Maybe Not.............

the rumor of Powell leaving seemed like a purposeful testing of the waters.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=3&u=/ap/20030806/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bush

Bush, Powell Sidestep Answer About Plans
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell brushed aside questions Wednesday about whether Powell would serve again if Bush is re-elected, insisting they are focused on world affairs for the remaining 15 months of Bush's current term.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

6. Oh I think that he'll leave . . . he just won't announce it until after

the election. Then, it won't matter one way or the other.

[West Coast Democrat]

8. Most Probably, You're Right

But perhaps we can put the issue front and center in October 04.

[Drifter]

12. Yep ... In fact you can bet

AWOL is pissed that this was even reported (leaked or otherwise).

Cheers
Drifter

[Jacobin]

4. Americans like Darth Vader

Gives them a false sense of security.

At least he's well spoken. Too bad he didn't wear a condom the night Mikey was born to finish destroying the media.

[bif]

7. Good. Let him leave!

n/t

[Sagan]

9. Easy solution -- they'll lie...

They'll say Powell is staying, the media whores will believe it of course, and then if they win Powell will leave, the whores will shrug and the Chimpministration gets away with yet another lie.

[diplomats]

10. This is kind of off the subject

but the story says that Bush tends to follow Reagan by having his overall approval rating higher than his economic and foreign policy ratings. Uh oh.

[Booberdawg]

11. It was leaked by the neocons

Cheney-Rumsfilled cabal, to make Powell a lame duck. The wisdom is that Powell has always planned on quitting at the end of this term. NeoCON-artists wanted to undermine his authority, thus they leaked his departure.

Now it's backfiring on them. The news of Powell's departure would hurt bush. I hope the Dems make use of it.

Linda

[xequals]

13. the neocons are done with their house slaves

Colin and Condi. They served their purpose and their time is over. Cheney and Rumsfeld are probably the ones who are leading this effort, not Bush. Bush is the brainless puppet who takes his orders.