Posted on 03/01/2006 7:54:59 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
CNN) -- President Bush said in a Tuesday interview that he wasn't concerned about his low approval ratings, and he discussed how he told Vice President Dick Cheney, who was shaken by his hunting accident earlier this month, to "share it with the American people."
"If I worried about polls, I wouldn't be doing my job," Bush told ABC's Elizabeth Vargas in the interview, which aired on "World News Tonight."
The president's approval rating dropped to 34 percent in a CBS News poll released Monday. CNN/USA Today/Gallup polls taken since October have put his approval ratings in the high 30s to mid-40s.
"I fully understand that when you do hard things, it creates consternation at times," Bush said. "I've been up in the polls, and I've been down in the polls -- it's just part of life in the modern era. I think the American people -- I know the American people want somebody to stand on principle, make decisions and stand by them and lead this world toward a more peaceful tomorrow, and I strongly believe we're doing that. And I enjoy it. It's a fantastic opportunity."
He also said he feels he has "ample capital" despite his sagging polls.
The president also defended Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who has faced criticism -- and calls for his resignation -- over the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.
"He's doing a fine job," Bush said. "I also know he's willing to accept criticism and respond." Bush added that he didn't think Chertoff would try to resign.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
By giving strong support to these ME leaders, President Bush is giving them what they need to fight these guys. They have been held captive by their clerics for decades and are just now beginning to take back their countries.
There has been a battle going on within the Saudi ruling family for decades between the Wahhabist manics and the forward thinking. Bush is supporting the forward thinkers.
As most Americans out here in the real world know.
What else could one expect of the "Clinton Kool Aid news outlets.
How nice that George Bush wants to spend his political capital helping his real constituents, the Arabs. That FR Dubai port poll floored me. I read it as 36.2% understand the grave threat selling our ports to an Arab nation who laudered money and was the home base for terrorists constitutes. 50.8% are Bushbots.
Let him buy friends and influence with his own money.
Bush started to squander his political capital in November 2004 after he was elected. For 8 months prior to that election he had not said a word about his guestworker shamnesty because of the extremely negative reaction when he first rolled it out. And then a few days after the election he started to pretend like he had a mandate to implement it.
I've not cared to support him on anything since and as far as the UAE DPW deal, in my own small way, I have actively been trying to sabotage the deal. I can't do much but you can bet my Senators have heard from me and I have not made a supportive post or clicked on an online poll that was in anyway supportive. The next and only thing of significance on his agenda is to implement his Guest Worker Shamnesty. I want him as damaged and weak as possible during that debate and I am pleased that the Republican Senators are running scared on the National Security issue. Perhaps they will be less inclined to sell us out to the Chamber of Commerce and the rest of the open borders lobby if they think Republican voters are about to punish them.
"He also said he feels he has 'ample capital'."
If so, how about spending it on something other than illegal immigrant amnesty (a/k/a "guest worker program") or more big spending programs, Mr. President?
Really? from my vantage point I see two new Supremes on the Court and the Patriot Act on its way. Seems to me his capitol reaps some results.
Were they Bushbots when those results were reversed with the first FR poll? I'm guessing....no. I'm guessing you were quite pleased with the first poll taken in the midst of hysteria.
It floors you now because folks that have read more about it didn't react emotionally and have sided in majority against you. I'd bet taken again the results would be even more in favor.
You can call people names, but it doesn't change the fact we took two polls with markedly different results that dispute the allegation FR is comprised of mind numbed Bush bots.
The power of POSITIVE THINKING....shades of, "It's Morning in America", thinking of the late GREAT President Reagan.
If only President Bush had President Reagan's communication skills!!
Go W!
He wouldn't be down at all if some of the hot shot conservative/libertarian types weren't so quick to shoot from the hip on the ports issue. Everyday as more information comes out, one sees that this was not a security decision but a pragmatic one to keep America's international friends as friends. The security of America is not involved in who manages the ports. Almost every port in our country is managed by foreigners. Politically, things are never black and white and the man/woman who can understand this becomes a good leader.
"If we get hit somehow through the ports, NO MATTER WHAT, OR WHO THE FAULT LIES WITH, ...."
Based on all the "..but Clinton..." excuses made after 9-11-2001, ANY attack that originates from a port that's part of this Bush-UAE deal will be squarely the fault of President Bush and the largely-useless Dept. Of Homeland Color-coded Security.
I agree, but your money quote is "as more information comes out". Bush needs to outsource his communcations department.
Why is Bush giving Vargas and the MSM the time of day?
You betcha!!! :) He don't need no stinkin' polls anyway. He's not like clintin who lived, ate and breathed by the polls. W is a TRUE LEADER!!!
Gene Simmons said it best earlier today.
"We are at war and I want a Bulldog in office, not a French poodle".
I agree and I noticed that one of the reasons a majority of women voted for W is because he is viewed as a "bad @ss" and that trait is certainly attractive when females pick a leader to lead USA.
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