I just posted the following analysis on another thread discussing this same poll:
THIS POLL OFFERS GREAT NEWS!
DESPITE the best efforts of the Kerry/DNC/Media cabal, Clarke has had ABSOLUTELY NO EFFECT ON EITHER THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATINGS OR HIS MATCH-UP RATINGS VIS-A-VIS KERRY!
NEWSWEEK POLL
GWB Approval Ratings:
3/25-26/04 49% approve 45% disapprove
3/18-19/04 48% approve 44% disapprove
2/05-06/04 48% approve 45% disapprove
1/29-30/04 49% approve 44% disapprove
[Despite relentless adhominem attacks, the President's approval ratings have remained remarkably STABLE!]
GWB Favorability Ratings:
3/25-26/04 51% favorable 44% unfavorable
3/18-19/04 52% favorable 42% unfavorable
2/19-20/04 49% favorable 47% unfavorable
Match-Up with Kerry/Nader:
3/25-26/04 GWB 45% Kerry 43% Nader 5%
3/18-19/04 GWB 45% Kerry 43% Nader 5%
Took Terror Threat Seriously:
Bush Administration:
61% took seriously 34% did not take seriously
Clinton Administration:
26% took seriously 65% did not take seriously
Clark:
25% selfless public servant
50% pursuing a personal or political agenda
25% don't know (too clueless to form an opinion)
After Clark's testimony:
10% more favorable opinion of the President
17% less favorable opinion (recalcitrant leftists)
65% no difference
THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY ARE BUTTRESSED BY SIMILAR RESULTS FROM FOXNEWS/OPINION DYNAMICS AND RASMUSSEN! The former also found no change post-Clark relative to the President's approval/match-up ratings and the latter, while initially determining that the President's ratings had dipped (one bad night of polling), now indicates that the President's ratings are virtually the same as before Clark's testimony!
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/ The President has weathered Clarke, high fuel prices, stock market gyrations, increased Middle East violence, and contrived media controversies (e.g., the President's comments at the Broadcaster's dinner) AND HIS RATINGS HAVE REMAINED STABLE.
BOTTOMLINE: The President's support is rock solid (as is his Democrat opposition). The election will hinge on the 5-7% of voters who are genuinely unaffiliated and their perception of domestic/world events in October!
Great news! I think it's because this time the Bush Administration and Republicans immediately proved Clarke was lying.
Thank you for your analysis, DrDeb.