Belief in Bush: Bush's rating not just wartime bounce

USA Today ^ | May 2, 2002 | Richard Benedetto

[DrDeb]

There is more to President Bush's relatively high approval ratings than just the patriotic, rally-round-the-flag effect of his leadership in the war on terrorism, a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll suggests.

Built on the faith Americans showed in him following his response to terror attacks on Sept. 11, the poll shows that almost eight months later Bush has developed an image among most Americans as a strong, competent, leader who shares their values and has elevated respect for presidency.

[Alissa]

Thanks for sharing this story. It's a familiar one.

[Zon]

"President Bush has done an excellent job in the war on terrorism, but on kitchen table issues such as health care and education, the public trusts Democrats," Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

That's like George Steinbrener (sp?) saying the New York Yankees are the best baseball team in the world.

The public trusts the government about as far as they can throw a lawyer with one hand tied behind their back. They don't trust government, they put up with government.

A knock at the door: Knock, knock... Who's there? We're from the government, we're IRS agents and we're here to help.

[Fishtalk]

"Sam hemmed and hawed a bit and mentioned that people in the KKK and neo-Nazis probably voted Republican" And where did Sam get that brilliant idea? "Probably"? The last I heard the Ku Klux Klan was solidly Democrat

Heh. Sam HAD to say this. This is how he works. Do you think he was just going to hand me my "tole you so" victory out of hand? Even if had to reach to the stratosphere to defend his prior, and erroneous, stance, he HAD to come up with something. I knew it was a stretch when he said it and so did he. But gracious that I am, I let it pass.

For when all is said and done, Sam had already said the MOST important thing and it was music to my ears.

[baseballmom]

I so pleased by this article and all the comments. Instead of jumping up and down for joy, I find myself just quietly thanking God for this wonderful gift he has given our country, President Bush.

[McLynnan]

Thank you. For eight years I was very pessimistic about the future of our country. We seemed to be on a long descent into amorality. Thanks to President Bush, I feel the U.S. is turning back on course. Does that make sense?

[uncbob]

KInda sad when we have a president who has the highest approval rating since Washignton and he signs CFR because he is afraid of what the democrats will say.
Is that pathetic

Powell has to go and Carl Rove should be right behind him

[Savage Beast]

Yes, it was gracious to let it pass--and wise. Your forbearance, grace, and wisdom are to be admired.

[reaganite]

"When I saw a young black man on CNN saying "he is my heart" ----- OH, MY! I didn't see/hear that acomment!! Now you have me in tears! President Bush is, indeed, America's heart! What a wonderful thing for that man to say and for others to hear.

I was in tears too, Freedom'sWorthIt. It was on that afternoon 3:00PM EST CNN program... sometime after 9/11.

[Salvation]

Now what will the dims say?

[wingnuts'nbolts]

I believe in this man because of his actions, his sereneness in the face of calamity, his relationship with his staff, wife, and his ernest talk. I think he is tough, this loving man, because he loves. He will continue to excell at the difficult job history has given him because he knows he is capable.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

2Cents:

Actually, Republicans, and the White House in particular, are ahead of the Demogogues on a bunch of domestic issues -- at least those that most people give priority to: tax cuts, education, even Social Security reform. The Dems are left with nothing to offer but their tired old hatred and race-baiting. I'm reading LINCOLN'S VIRTUES by William Lee Miller, and he wrote at one point, "moralistic older Whigs objected to the Jacksonians [i.e., the Democrats]...making unabashed appeals to class and region..." Some things never change, and the Democrats have been the party of divisiveness and emotional appeals since Old Hickory.

Good point! The dims are finding it VERY difficult to derive a political calculus to counter Bush's popularity, which arises from a well-spring that they cannot readily comprehend: high moral values. And, like the colonial conflict between the original liberals (conservatives) and the original fascists (Jacksonian Democrats)shows, human nature doesn't change. In the modern conflict, however, desceptive labeling is part of the game.

[Future Snake Eater]

Perceptions in Washington that his support is slipping ? 90% in September to 77% now ? have emboldened Democrats to criticize him

Only the commies would be dumb enough to believe that "only" a 77% approval rating was "slipping" popularity. Clinton was God's gift to the Oval Office when he was in the low 60%s according to these people.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Since 9/11, his megaphone speech at ground zero, and his oval office talk with reporters, ie: "I'm a loving guy, but I've got a job to do," cannot be spun away. The whole country has had an opportunity to see what a good man he truly is. When I saw a young black man on CNN saying "he is my heart," I realized just how strongly the impact of a good man doing a great job for a country he loves is (maybe that should be a "great man" doing a "good job"). The nattering nabobs have their work cut out for themselves when it comes to George W. Bush.

Yes.

[olliemb]

And the more Clinton shows up the less Gore is appealing (for those who still want him).

[OldFriend]

Interesting......I find myself in a similar position. The more Rush and the Kristol gang bash and slash at Powell the more I tend to support him.

It isn't that I agree with Powell's positions so much as I despise the media for trying to create an issue to use against the President.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

"Sam, you should get down on your knees and thank God George W. Bush is your President after all the grief you gave me after that election."

"I AM glad Bush is president," Sam said softly, "and I intend to vote for him next time."

Sorta says it all, doesn't it?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

These numbers are ASTOUNDING!!

Bottom line here......CHARACTER COUNTS!

Yep. And the dim ones still don't have a clue.

[ReveBM]

Wow, I'm impressed with your support of Israel, and as an American, I concur.

However, I wish I could have had more people like you in the Taiwan discussion threads when the subject of them being invaded by China comes up! Lots of talk that corrupt-but-democratic Taiwan is "not worth the blood of a single American soldier" and stuff like that.

Note to Taiwan: Get better PR and a tie-in to the Christian right. Find a Taiwanese talking head to go on Fox News.

[Bonaparte]

"Everybody knew Joe was calling the shots."

Joe Kennedy stroked out in 1961. Became an invalid. Couldn't even control his own bladder. When his son was assasinated, he wasn't told.