WP Bush Loses Advantage in War on Terrorism

[cosmicone]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/20040622/pl_washpost/a58293_2004jun21

Original WP Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58293-2004Jun21.html/?nav=yb-p1

Bush Loses Advantage in War on Terrorism

Tue Jun 22, 4:26 PM ET

By Richard Morin and Dan Balz, Washington Post Staff Writers

Public anxiety over mounting casualties in Iraq (news - web sites) and doubts about long-term consequences of the war continue to rise and have helped to erase President Bush (news - web sites)'s once-formidable advantage over Sen. John F. Kerry concerning who is best able to deal with terrorist threats, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.


Exactly half the country now approves of the way Bush is managing the U.S. war on terrorism, down 13 percentage points since April, according to the poll. Barely two months ago, Bush comfortably led Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, by 21 points when voters were asked which man they trusted to deal with the terrorist threat. Today the country is evenly divided, with 48 percent preferring Kerry and 47 percent favoring Bush.

[classof56]

1. This is good news...

...but I still have to wonder: How can ANYONE with a brain approve of what Bush is doing and even remotely trust him to deal with the terrorist "threat"?

That half the country does is the reason I continue to remain...

The Tired Old Cynic

[cosmicone]

3. The main reason is ...

that Kerry has not even begun real campaigning and people are not focused on the election yet, so they rally around the president.

Several factors will change the dynamics,

a) The "Clinton effect" -- as Big Dawg goes around campaigning with his gift of political instincts and as his stature improves from the book,

b) Fahrenheit 9/11

c) Kerry's selection of VP

and

d) Kerry's platform and message when he accepts the nomination.

Bush's best days are behind him.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. He's done.

Bush.
is.
done.
for.

Nothing short of a blatant election theft or a suspension of the whole election is now capable of leaving him in office after Jan. 20.

[Merlin]

4. Woah!.... This hurts Clark's chances. But it's great news!

Reversing that edge was Clark's biggest asset. This may mean the Kerry people will now seriously consider others for VP. Still think Clark's gonna get it, though.