Bush voters say nation going in wrong direction

The Houston Chronicle ^ | Oct. 8, 2005 | WILL LESTER

[neverdem]

Poll finds fears about gas prices, Iraq, the economy and disaster costs

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Evangelicals, Republican women, Southerners and other critical groups in President Bush's political coalition are worried about the direction the nation is headed and disappointed with his performance, an AP-Ipsos poll found.

That unease could be a troubling sign for a White House already struggling to keep the Republican Party base from slipping over Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, Gulf Coast spending projects, immigration and other issues.

"Politically, this is very serious for the president," said James Thurber, a political scientist at American University. "If the base of his party has lost faith, that could spell trouble for his policy agenda and for the party generally."

Sentiment about the nation's direction has sunk to new depths at a time people are anxious about Iraq, the economy, gas prices and the management of billions of dollars being spent for recovery from natural disasters.

Only 28 percent say the country is headed in the right direction while two-thirds, 66 percent, say it is on the wrong track, the poll found.

"There is a growing, deep-seated discontentment and pessimism about the direction of the country," said Republican strategist Tony Fabrizio.

Supporters uneasy

Among those most likely to have lost confidence about the nation's direction over the past year are white evangelicals, down 30 percentage points since November, Republican women, down 28 points, Southerners, down 26 points, and suburban men, down 20 points.

Bush's supporters are uneasy about issues such as federal deficits, immigration and his latest nomination for the Supreme Court. Social conservatives are concerned about his choice of Miers, a relatively unknown lawyer who has served as White House counsel.

The president's job approval is mired at the lowest level of his presidency — 39 percent. While four of five Republicans say they approve of Bush's job performance — enthusiasm has dipped over the last year.

Party backing slips

In December 2004, soon after his re-election, almost two-thirds of Republicans strongly approved of the job done by Bush. The AP-Ipsos survey found that just half in his own party feel that way now.

The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted by Ipsos, an international polling company, from Monday to Wednesday and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

[A.Hun]

I see a man with nearly insurmountable tasks on him being second guessed by a bunch of no-nothings.

[A.Hun]

*know-nothings

[bonehead4freedom]

thanks!

[Blowtorch]

His base started dining on him? Or is it the other way around.

[A.Hun]

Sorry, but I'm still stuck on "I trust the President".

[SC33]

Does not change the fact that his base and the supporters that are key to his success and the continued success of the Republican Party are losing faith in him and becoming discouraged by his actions. Facts are facts, he is out of touch with the American people on a few key issues. I personally would take Bush any day over a Dem., but he needs to get with the program on spending and illegal immigration.

[Colonial Warrior]

You said it....talk about a nose dive!

[PositiveCogins]

"I see a man with nearly insurmountable tasks on him being second guessed by a bunch of no-nothings."
Very true and I agree. I just don't see why he looks the other way on immigration and other issues. To me these are
sellouts. I supported a conservative Bush. I got got a very slightly right of center moderate.

[murphE]

I think that "is this country going in the right direction or wrong direction?" is one of the stupidest questions I have ever been asked by a pollster.

[bonehead4freedom]

No sir, we would have to listen to speeches about why they are angry at us and what steps we must take to help the Muslims and the "the world " to forgive us.But you're right it would all turn on our fossil fuel consumption as the cause so we have to get rid of our cars for world peace.

[M. Dodge Thomas]

The interesting thing about the steady slip in the "handling the economy" numbers is that objectively the economy isn't doing badly - I don't think this poll is actually measuring opinion of President's performance as much as it's measuring voters economic confidence generally, it appears to me that’s what happening is that a substantial number of additional voters feel that that they are holding even or even losing ground under "acceptable" economic conditions.

Since it’s more likely that economic conditions will be unchanged or worse in the fall of ’06 than that they will be noticeably better, this could mean additional problems for Republicans... though given the very low current approval of Congress in general a lot will depend on my much of this sentiment is specifically anti-Republican and how much
is broadly anti-incumbent.

[A.Hun]

I agree that I would like to see a fix for illegal immigration and the federal spending. I just don't see where he has much chance of doing much on either one.

The ideals are lofty and a hallmark of conservatives, but realistically, by himself, he can't do it.

In Washington, he doesn't even have a solid majority in the Senate. In the house, they spend like drunken sailors.

Now, to avoid a fight with liberals and sneak a conservative in to the bench, 30% of conservatives are turning on him.

[Malesherbes]

I agree that the country is going in the wrong direction, but I also know that under the Dims things would be a hundred times worse.

[righttackle44]

"How about the message "Do not screw over your friends, they may not be so quick to help you out when you need them"?

Yeah, I'd say that's the message you all are sending to our troops.

[andie74]

I think that "is this country going in the right direction or wrong direction?" is one of the stupidest questions I have ever been asked by a pollster.

If one says the right direction, the pollster determines that it is because of the number of programs that the government provides, brought to us courtesy of Democrats.

If one says the wrong direction, the pollster determines that it is because George Bush is leading the country down a slippery slope toward Nazism.

You're absolutely right. Stupidest question of all time.

[AZ_Cowboy]

Don't count on it. They'll ramrod that through on us next, and when we protest at that the same old folks will be on here gleefully calling us racists or worse.

[SC33]

I'm not disagreeing with your sentiment, but I think any objective person would agree that he is not doing nearly enough to stem the flood of illegal aliens. I mean, his budget this past year only called for 210 new agents after he had promised 2000. The Congress had to push that original proposal of 210 up to 1500. My main gripe will come if he tries to push the McCain/Kennedy amnesty bill on us. I am somewhat more receptive to Kyl/Cornyn, but if he truly does try and push amnesty I will not support the Rep. Party anymore.

The spending is another issue altogether, but I still feel he needs to get control of the House Republicans and cut back a bit.

[NordP]

EXactly!

[A.Hun]

I think it is just a matter of reality and limited resources. Limited money, limited political capital, etc.

I think he will sacrifice almost anything to prevent another 9/11 and that ties his hands.

A lot of the complaints have been exaggerated too. Illegal immigration is a serious problem, but it is not an overt attack. It is something that has to be worked out domestically.

[flashbunny]

maybe they'll let bayourod, clintonbegone and the other band FROBL members back for a special limited engagement ;)