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'Today': W's Poll Numbers Fallen - and They Can't Get Up
Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 04/12/2006 5:06:55 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest

by Mark Finkelstein

April 12, 2006

On a light news day, why not run a generic piece on President Bush's low poll numbers and his assertedly bleak prospects for reviving them? That was apparently the thinking at the Today show this morning.

Today themed the segment "Can Bush Save Presidency?", and NBC White House reporter Kelly O'Donnell seemed to answer the question in the negative, kicking things off with this gloomy assessment:

"For President Bush, low poll numbers have not just been a dip or temporary rough patch but appear now to be a sustained pattern that is different than his predecessors of both parties who went through their own tough times." She continued: "His . . presidency appears to have a chronic case of the below-40 percent blues."

After David Gergen was shown suggesting that "presidents have sometimes broken out of slumps when they've had big, bold initiatives and unexpected victories - that often shake things up" O'Donnell reappeared to dump cold water on the notion that W could have any such luck:

"Looking back, some second-term presidents have been able to rebound. President Reagan's approval fell to 34 percent with the arms-for-hostages scandal. Pres. Clinton hit 41 percent around impeachment. But both bounced back up to the 60s as they left office. Analysts say the prospects for Mr. Bush are not as good because of the weight of ongoing events: Iraq, gas prices, the CIA leak case and hurricane response."

Gergen popped back up to pessimistically proclaim: "After a while those negative feelings really do congeal, they crystallize, they become firm and then it's very hard to break out."

O'Donnell: "political observers claim big speeches and staff changes won't turn things around and suggest the president may have to wait to seize on any good news."

Commentator Stu Rothenberg then observed: "If there is something he can brag about he needs to quickly then be able to go to the American public and make his case and drive home the point. But for now he simply doesn't have much ammunition at his disposal."

Count on Today and its MSM cohorts to do their best to keep things that way.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bush; gergen; kellyodonnell; nbc; polls; rothenberg; todayshow
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
But both bounced back up to the 60s as they left office

So, there's almost 2 years left. Geez.

21 posted on 04/12/2006 5:20:34 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: chris1
A number of FReepers will be on the MSM side of this thinking the sky is falling.

I rest my case.

22 posted on 04/12/2006 5:20:57 AM PDT by Chuck54
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To: Chuck54
It's only once or twice in a lifetime that you see a politician who wants to do what is best for America and not what the pollsters want you to think is best for America.

Say again?

Get a grip, the pollsters reflect what the people think & feel, not the pollsters personal beliefs and at this time many Americans are less than impressed with the way President Bush is steering the ship of state.

23 posted on 04/12/2006 5:21:12 AM PDT by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
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To: Fithee

By my understanding, Reagan gave amnesty in 1986. Shouldn't we start there, when we want to complain about the illegal immigration policy?


24 posted on 04/12/2006 5:22:32 AM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife ("Death is better, a milder fate than tyranny. "--Aeschylus)
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To: Dog

If he wants to get his numbers up, which is important if he wants to push any legislation, he needs to stop the globalism garbage and focus on the needs of the tax payers who pay his salary.

You can't blame the MSM for all the negativity. Almost every regular GOP voter I speak to is livid with fury over what is going on.

The gripe is the same:

The GOP has all 3 branches of gov't yet pushes a RAT wet dream agenda.

Like Rush says, conservatisim works every time its tried.


25 posted on 04/12/2006 5:22:37 AM PDT by chris1 (I)
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To: Puppage

Harry Truman ended WWII with a master stroke of strength and true "Shock and Awe". The strife in the ME will likely go on until the end of time.

Call me racist of whatever, the Germans and Japanese in 1945 were far more advanced in many areas, culturally, etc, than tyhose in the ME who act like its 1200 years ago.


26 posted on 04/12/2006 5:26:08 AM PDT by chris1 (I)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
CURE TO W'S BAD POLL NUMBERS:

1. Adopt a Get Tough Policy on Immigration -- Not Just A Guest Worker Program, But Increased Border Security and a Fence.

2. Veto some spending bills.

3. Stop cooperating with Democrats who treat you like a door mat.

4. Kick ass in Iraq.

RESULT -- Increased Poll Numbers!!

27 posted on 04/12/2006 5:26:44 AM PDT by CWW (GOP 2008 Dream Ticket -- George Allen (Pres) and Mark Sanford (V.P.))
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To: Dog

The poll numbers would spike for a week or two if bin Laden was captured or killed. If, on the other hand, Bush were to announce real measures to close the borders and crack down on illegal immigration, then his poll numbers would skyrocket. (This, of course, is pleasant fiction, but it would make for a meaningful jump in the polls.)


28 posted on 04/12/2006 5:27:12 AM PDT by Uncle Vlad
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To: Pan_Yans Wife

After 9/11, there was ZERO excuse for not doing anything about our broken system.

There is ZERO excuse now.


29 posted on 04/12/2006 5:27:46 AM PDT by chris1 (I)
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To: varon
Get a grip, the pollsters reflect what the people think & feel, not the pollsters personal beliefs and at this time many Americans are less than impressed with the way President Bush is steering the ship of state.

If you wish to believe that the pollsters truly reflect the people, then you probably don't think the pollsters are trying to make news instead of reporting it.

You can ask the questions to reflect what you want the answers to be and you can weight the poll with Democrats and "Independents", whatever in hell they are, and viola you have "news", the sky is falling.

I will be the first to admit the poll numbers are not great, but I truly don't think they are a true reflection of the people as you so obviously do.

30 posted on 04/12/2006 5:28:00 AM PDT by Chuck54
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To: Floridian76


Actually, Clinton hit 41 percent after the failure of Hillarycare. His approval rating hit the top-60's when he was impeached, otherwise, the effort might have been succesful.




So the bright side is .....

When the Repubs lose the House and the dims impeach W at least hi poll numbers should go above 40.


31 posted on 04/12/2006 5:28:00 AM PDT by Blackirish (Hillary is angry AND brittle.)
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To: varon
the pollsters reflect what the people think & feel

Please, those people you speak of are carefully picked to give the outcome they want to achieve.

32 posted on 04/12/2006 5:28:03 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Polls shmolls, let the libs worry about them. He is tackling some major problems that are not popular but critical for this Country. He solves them and history will take care of itself.

Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters


33 posted on 04/12/2006 5:29:09 AM PDT by bray (Xenophobes for Rice '08)
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To: Uncle Vlad

Areed, if GWB came out and started giving speeches to get the House and Senate together with a guest worker plan, coupled with a Fence, Wall, and deportation of all aliens convicted of any crime, DWI, he would gain.

Simply calling for amensty is a disaster and makes him look like Fox's B%^&*&.


34 posted on 04/12/2006 5:29:52 AM PDT by chris1 (I)
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To: CWW

Amen and right on!


35 posted on 04/12/2006 5:30:09 AM PDT by Convert from ECUSA (aztlan or muslim - either way it means dhimmitude...we must remember in November)
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To: carumba
" ... Cindy Shehan inked to pose in Girly mag ... "


The day that happens is the day we know all males have become homosexuals, and I will move to Alaska.




36 posted on 04/12/2006 5:30:28 AM PDT by G.Mason (Bye-bye Miss American Dream ... Drove my Chevy to the levy and I got my clock cleaned ...)
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To: Dog

LOL, the BDS virus spreads to those susceptible and with low immunity to the MSM virus.


37 posted on 04/12/2006 5:30:47 AM PDT by roses of sharon
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

According to Rasmussen the President's approval number is 43%. This is about what it's been for months. Rasmussen's numbers were nearly perfect on the last presidential election! The MSM only uses polling firms that are inaccurate!


38 posted on 04/12/2006 5:31:22 AM PDT by JLGALT (Get ready - Lock and Load!)
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To: bray

How does granting amensty to 15 million illegals solve a problem?

Seriously, I campaigned for him in 2000 and 2004, and talk to many people. Most are lieterally stuck between anger and delusionment with this WH and its stupid policies on immigration.

You can't blame the MSM for everything. Sure they pile on, but that is no excuse for the garbage as of late.


39 posted on 04/12/2006 5:32:37 AM PDT by chris1 (I)
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To: chris1

And the streets are now filled with hispanics protesting... the vast majority of them are illegal immigrants.

Where are the Americans? Why aren't they counter protesting in the millions?

Unless Americans push Congress, nothing ever changes. This is not new. The PEOPLE don't care. They are NOT acting out, demanding change. There is no political movement pushing the cause.


40 posted on 04/12/2006 5:32:44 AM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife ("Death is better, a milder fate than tyranny. "--Aeschylus)
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