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.

[olliemb]

I am a hispanic from Texas and Bush was indeed held in high esteem. He is well liked.

[hoosiermama]

I understand you being upset about CFR, but do believe that in the long run it will become obvious he made the correct choice. The SCOTUS will take care of the unconstitutional parts.

[Libertina]

The pendulum swings and the party's stances on issues adjusts to where the pendulum is at each moment. The Republicans have always been the common sense party when the pendulum swings too wide. The Democrats have always been the unvirtuous party taking advantage of the victims of the pendulum when it's at it's widest points
Very well said.

[olliemb]

I would rather have an unpopular President Bush but a freedom fighter as president who attempts to reclaim our freedom from the socialists.

I would rather have a president that helped out both sides and who would win for a second term, for what good is it to get all your agenda taken care of in the first term, but not win for the second term? Would you rather have a democrat win and thereby giving up your redemption from the socialists?

[streetpreacher]

"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.

What?? Young Black man??!! Somebody call the REVEREND Sharpton! What kind of self hating racist would make an ignorant comment like that? Doesn't he know that if the legitimate president were in office (who just so also happens to be the first black vice-president who served under Harlem's very own chief executive), those poor oppressed minority immigrants wouldn't have felt it necessary to make martyrs of themselves? They could've finished college, with a computer in every classroom (or jail cell as is the case for Azowy Mowy or whatever his name is) of course, and been redirected to a more productive outlet for that pent up aggression at the Man... like shopping malls in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Peace.

[LenS]

"Belief in Bush" is a strong statement about how America feels about their president.

"Belief in Bush" just so happens to be Bill and Hillary's motto also. *g*

[olliemb]

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

And so should you, wah , wah, wah, CFR, wah wah,

[ReveBM]

Some problems I have with holding Bush's feet to the fire on CFR include:

A) Look at other Republicans, particularly in the Senate, like Trent Lott. They have not exactly shown spine for conservative issues.

B) Our society is very far away from being conservative as a whole right now. It has to be won back classroom by classroom, boy scout troop by boy scout troop, and so on. This is something that everyone has to play a role in, perhaps in a similar manner to Fishtalk and his friend, who had amiable political discussions for years. Only after a much greater percentage of Americans are converted back to conservatism will we be able to make lasting progress on some of these niggling issues.

[Mulder]

What good is a high poll rating if Bush isn't going to use it to advance a conservative agenda of limited government and more Freedom?

[speekinout]

Let me ask a serious question. Other than the tax cuts, his performance in the war on terror and his naming of some decent people to his administration, how many other issues has he signed on to that most conservatives consider anathema?

You ask what conservatives don't like about what Bush has done - personally, I dislike the bill to Federalize Air Traffic security, CFR, and the steel tariffs.
But I understand why he did each of them. If he hadn't done those, they would be issues in the next campaigns. And these are really silly issues.
Every President has to set priorities. W wants to end terrorism. That's a lofty and complicated goal. This other stuff is trivia.
clintoon wanted to stay in power and become rich. He was successful at his goals. But I don't respect them.
I'd much rather W fail at his goals than have another clintoon who succeeded at his.

[Miss Marple]

You know, you constant gripers and Bush-bashers are missing an important point. A popular president can get more of his agenda passed, particularly if his party wins the Senate and the House this fall. Until then, with the Senate under Daschle's thumb, the name of the game is compromise.

Now, President Bush could dig his heels in and refuse to deal with Daschle. This would be similar to the budget show-down in 94, which geve us Bill Clinton for 4 more years in 1996. That was a great strategy, wasn't it?

I am pleased about Bush's popularity, because it allows him to present ideas that otherwise would never see the light of day, such as prayer and faith, tax cuts, funding the military, etc.

Is everything he does 100% conservative? No. But he is moving the country to the right, and that is a good thing.

[ohioWfan]

Like many other Freepers, ohioWfan, your world spins around Bush's popularity rating as opposed to getting this country out of liberal land and tax slavery.

OH, it does NOT! Being pleased that this moral, honorable, intelligent strong man is popular is completely different that having my 'world spin around his popularity!!!"

I wish you idiots would think for a minute before you make stupid comments like you invariably do. You have no idea what you're talking about, so cut it out. I was saying exactly what I'm saying now a year ago when his poll numbers were down.

THIS IS A MAN OF CHARACTER,
AND I THANK GOD HE IS OUR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!

If you don't, you are to be pitied!!

[Texasforever]

I want a freedom fighter as president!

You my friend have watched "Independece day" to many times. It clouds your hold on reality.

[olliemb]

In case you forget, scumbug ran the country for 8 years--so what is your point--you would rather veto a whole bunch of legislation to only have Clinton JR. come in and by executive order repeal the no abortion aid to foreign countries, to by executive order or recess appointment get a whole bunch of liberals on the courts or raise taxes?

You would rather sacrifice tax cuts for CFR (which the SCOTUS should take care of)?

You don't realize that 25% approval rate gets you nowhere--but the exit door!!!! Wake up. Support the person who represents you in the majority of the agenda--b/c you want him around for the Supreme Court nominations, cloning banning, foreign aid abortion dollars, and MORE TAX CUTS and permanent to boot. You want your president around for the big stuff. You want the republican president around who will slowly and incrementally get his agenda passed. You can't get it all at one time, especially when the senate won't support you.

Yes, the electorate has to have confidence in their leader and 25% approval rating to me means no confidence.

I admire your standing on principle yet your strategy in getting things accomplished are not well thought out.

[Texasforever]

And you, my friend, have watched "Eleanor Clift" to many times. It clouds your view on freedom.

Ahh, did I hurt your feelings? What the hell do you know about "freedom" other than what you have seen in the movies?

[skr]

while Clinton saw all sides of an issue, implying his much greater intelligence (gag). DKG still hasn't realized that the current George W plays chess, not checkers!

You're so right. A fence-sitter sees both sides, but that doesn't make him more intelligent than the guy who's on solid ground.