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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

Today's Ratings have fallen, and they can't get up.


81 posted on 04/12/2006 7:08:44 AM PDT by dfwgator (Florida Gators - 2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions)
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To: Fithee
"Bush is an idiot"

On the most important issue affecting us, the war on Islamofascism, Bush is 100% correct. He cut taxes, and the economy is booming. I don't like his stand on illegal immigration or spending, but those things are a lot easier to fix than winning a war or reviving a sluggish economy both things Bush has done admirably. Look at the big picture.

82 posted on 04/12/2006 7:09:59 AM PDT by driftless ( For life-long happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: chris1
"Livid with fury"

I've talked a number of Republicans in the workplace, and they are not "livid with fury". In fact they're still rather pro-Bush. Like me, they do not care for the increased spending or the lack of a strong stand on illegal immigration. But they're not angry, and they're certainly not ready to ditch the Republican Party.

83 posted on 04/12/2006 7:13:52 AM PDT by driftless ( For life-long happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
To me, the most glaring thing about the bias in these recountings of W's low approval ratings is that the newsdrones always seem to find a way to avoid mentioning whether or not Bush's ratings are higher or lower than those of Jimmy Carter.

It is as if the MSM has joined the education industry in a plot to conceal the fact that Carter was -- by any objective measure -- the worst President of the second half of the 20th Century, and perhaps the worst of all time.

Carter was "born again" a second time after the Bush-hating Nobel Institute anointed him with the so-called Peace Prize, transforming him from Good-With-Hammer-Bad-With -Power guy into the America-hater the World Loves To Hate Along With.

84 posted on 04/12/2006 7:16:37 AM PDT by L.N. Smithee (I've always said Karl Rove isn't now nor ever was a genius. Now, the rest of you know.)
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To: Dog
Those poll numbers will skyrocket the moment it is announced Bin Laden is dead.

My thoughts too...

Also I think Karl Rove believes in the adage "Dont fire till you see the whites of their eyes"... Election time is not quite upon us

85 posted on 04/12/2006 7:18:58 AM PDT by woofie
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To: Dog

I could care less about his poll numbers, he's still president.
The liberals can paint him any any color they want, he still will be president until his term ends or death.
The liberal lies are not stopping the presidents agenda, and I think this is one of the presidents personal inside laughs.


86 posted on 04/12/2006 7:20:34 AM PDT by buck61
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To: Mo1

87 posted on 04/12/2006 7:22:59 AM PDT by evets (Snakes on a Plane...)
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To: Grampa Dave

good reminder


88 posted on 04/12/2006 7:23:25 AM PDT by woofie
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To: Fithee

You're really stupid, aren't you? There's been no doubt even by the most staunch Reagan Conservatives that he did grant Amnesty.
I don't think you're qualified enough to be calling Bush an idiot so go think of something else to accomplish today like, pick up a history book and learn to read.


89 posted on 04/12/2006 7:25:07 AM PDT by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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Comment #90 Removed by Moderator

To: woofie

Thanks!

Somethings never change re liberals the walk on water self professed conservatives.


91 posted on 04/12/2006 7:26:54 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Donate to Free Republic now, not tomorrow: [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate]))
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To: L.N. Smithee
"To me, the most glaring thing about the bias in these recountings of W's low approval ratings is that the newsdrones always seem to find a way to avoid mentioning whether or not Bush's ratings are higher or lower than those of Jimmy Carter."


92 posted on 04/12/2006 7:30:36 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Donate to Free Republic now, not tomorrow: [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate]))
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To: mdbob; Howlin

Signed up today...to call him an idiot.


93 posted on 04/12/2006 7:30:37 AM PDT by Dog (We have had a date with destiny and Iran for 27 years---appealof2)
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To: Grampa Dave

Its mighty easy to run the country when all you are doing is talking about it


94 posted on 04/12/2006 7:30:50 AM PDT by woofie
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To: Howlin

The issue is why GWB is in the tank with the public. The answer is simple. Its not complicated, although you want to act like you are smarter than everyone else, you are not. Blame the MSM, blame the RATS, blame other freepers, blame Hillary, blame whoever you want.

The answer as to why most people are not happy with the WH lies directly with the policies, pronouncements, and b.s. coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Disagree with me, call me names, blame me whatever you want, you and I both know why the polls are in the tank.


95 posted on 04/12/2006 7:31:01 AM PDT by chris1 (I)
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To: CWW

You forgot.

Calling out the press more and more for their flagrent lies and destorations from everything from Iraq to the economy.

In the last press conference he did well in doing just that and put the bastards on the defensive. If he could do it more and more, they would be left defenseless and would spending all of their time talking about themselves.

The trouble with this PR team in the White House is they do something right for one day, but they never follow through and pound it and pound it until their critics throw up the white flag. Love them or hate them, the Rats are great at doing just that. Witness the latest non sense from the CIA leak case and the now Fitz having to back track. The Rats and the MSM have already done the damage to the White House so whatever new comes out favorable to the White House won't matter because they correcting the record would make them look like fools.


96 posted on 04/12/2006 7:31:36 AM PDT by The South Texan (The Democrat Party and the leftist (ABCCBSNBCCNN NYLATIMES)media are a criminal enterprise!)
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To: mdbob

mdbob
Since Apr 12, 2006


97 posted on 04/12/2006 7:31:42 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Donate to Free Republic now, not tomorrow: [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate]))
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To: Chuck54

Country in such a peril, governerd by Democrats?
Well, we all had better use the fixaction of the Democrat ruling. They are presently ruling even though the GOP has a majority in both houses.
The Republican Congress can't go sh*t without taking a liberal to the bath room with them.
The way I perceive the GOP presently is, they can't wipe their own a**. They have sold the Republican Party for their own personal gain.
The tide will definitely change starting this Nov. and it pi**es
me to the point of my blood boiling.


98 posted on 04/12/2006 7:34:05 AM PDT by buck61
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Machiavelli said one could secure one's rule through love or fear. Love is more transitory than fear.

I suggest he massively retaliates against Iran's provocation.

Regards, Ivan


99 posted on 04/12/2006 7:34:13 AM PDT by MadIvan (Ya hya chouhada! Dune fans, visit - http://www.thesietch.com/)
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To: woofie

The Bush haters on the far right and left have lost any objectivity they might have had.

They never voted for GW nor did they support him.

We have a lot of younger conservative relatives on both sides of our family from coast to coast. They voted for GW in 2000 and 2004, and they still support him. They are not seeing any of real Republicans bolt and run.


100 posted on 04/12/2006 7:35:00 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (Donate to Free Republic now, not tomorrow: [https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate]))
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