[ex-snook]

March 06, 2007
Bush Approval Rating Remains Low
Just 33% of Americans approve

by Jeffrey M. Jones


GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- The latest USA Today/Gallup poll shows continued low approval ratings for George W. Bush. Thirty-three percent of Americans approve and 63% disapprove of the job Bush is doing as president, according to the March 2-4, 2007 survey. That is just two percentage points above his personal low of 31% from May 2006. Bush's support among Republicans has slipped to 70%, just two points above the low-water mark for his party base, also in May 2006.

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Why Giuliani can't win. There is no daylight between Bush and Giuliani on Iraq. What daylight exists is on social issues where Giuliani is worse.

Even GOP support is down. Unless Bush wins the surge before election a match between a 'Bush and an UnBush' invites disaster.

[JHBowden]

I challenge that. Giuliani can communicate what America is doing for civilization in a way that other candidates cannot. And moving from the cognitive to the emotional, 911 is seared into the brain of every American, whether they like it or not. Talking about 911 puts Iraq and the consequences of failure in context.

[LS]

Disclaimer: as of now, I would vote for Duncan Hunter in the primary; and if it's close between Rudy and Mitt, I'd vote Mitt.

Ok, that said, you're wrong. The main difference---it may only be a perceived one at this point---between Rudy and Bush is that Rudy will actually FIGHT libs on those issues he cares about. He fought the civil rights establishment in NYC over the NYPD; he backed down the Arabs on several occasions. Who knows what this really means, but the perception right now, MADE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT BY THE LIBBY VERDICT is that Republicans want someone who will knock the crap out of the Dems---actually go after them.

I think this plays in the South.

Again, it is not yet clear if Rudy CAN do this on many issues, or will do it, but the perception is that WHOEVER does it will be the candidate.