I get the impression that it's all a game to Russert et al. The HasBeenMedia is playing the wrong "game".
Arggggggggg! These guys just get my BP up w all the talk of these Polls. WHY doesn't Timmy give the info behind the polls, such as who was sampled (more Dims that Pubbies), the slant of the questions, etc. We all know the MSM asks questions to get the answers they want to bash-Bush some more.
Notice they never quote the Rasmussen polls
President Bush Job Approval
Updated Daily by Noon Eastern Bush Job Approval
Strongly Approve 25%
Somewhat Approve 24%
Somewhat Disapprove 16%
Strongly Disapprove 34%
RasmussenReports.com
Sunday January 29, 2006--Forty-nine percent (49%) of American adults approve of the way George W. Bush is performing his role as President. Fifty percent (50%) disapprove.
It is not clear whether this uptick in Job Approval over the past three days is a lasting change or merely statistical noise.
The President earns approval from 81% of Republicans, 23% of Democrats, and 40% of those not affiliated with either major political party.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/Bush_Job_Approval.htm
And:
44% Say U.S. Winning War on Terror 26% Say Terrorists Winning
Survey of 1,000 Adults
January 13-14, 2006
Who is Winning War on Terror?
U.S. / Allies 44%
Terrorists 26%
Neither 21%
Not Sure 9%
RasmussenReports.com
January 15, 2005--The latest Rasmussen Reports poll measuring perceptions of the War on Terror highlights the power of a Presidential speech to create a bounce in public opinion.
Today, 44% of Americans believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the War on Terror. That matches precisely the level found on the two days leading up to the President's December 18 national address. However, a survey conducted on the two days after that speech found a 6-point bounce--50% of Americans believed that the U.S. and its allies were winning. That bounce has now faded.
However, there is also evidence of some lasting impact. Just 26% of Americans now believe the terrorists are winning. That's down from 36% over the past four months. Rasmussen Reports has polled this question more than 70 polls since early 2004. Only twice has the percentage who thought the terrorists were winning been lower than 26%
With the exception of the poll immediately following the speech, the current data presents the most optimistic assessment of the War on Terror since last February.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/War%20on%20Terror_Monthly_Update.htm