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Nearly half of Americans wouldn't vote for Bush again
AFP ^ | 08-23-03

Posted on 08/23/2003 4:31:16 PM PDT by Brian S

Sunday August 24, 6:48 AM

A growing number of Americans don't want to see US President George W. Bush re-elected next year, and fear US troops will be drawn into a long, costly occupation of Iraq, according to a Newsweek poll.

For the first time the poll has found that more registered voters -- 49 percent -- would not want Bush to return for a second term in office if the elections were now, compared with 44 percent who would.

Only 23 percent said terrorism and homeland security would be the most important issues for them in the November 2004 election, compared with 48 percent who said deciding factors for them now would be the economy and jobs.

Meanwhile, 69 percent are now convinced the United States will become bogged down in Iraq, without achieving ostensible goals in getting the country back on its feet.

Some 40 percent of them are now "very concerned" US troops will be there for the long-haul.

A majority also fears that US forces will be overextended in the event of a security threat elsewhere, according to the poll in the latest edition of Newsweek -- 29 percent very concerned and 30 percent somewhat concerned.

Americans also think that reconstruction costs in Iraq are too high at one billion dollars per week -- 66 percent said they do not support such spending, compared with 34 percent who said they support current spending levels.

And 53 percent said they would oppose an increase to the figure being spent, with only seven percent not opposed to an increase.

Almost half of people polled -- 47 percent -- said they were very concerned that maintaining troops in Iraq is too expensive and will cause a higher budget deficit, seriously damaging the US economy.

Despite some indications the US president's popularity is on the wane, a majority still approves of the way Bush is handling his job. Some 53 percent supported him compared with 36 who did not, with 11 unsure.

In a Newsweek poll released a month ago, 49 percent said they would like to see Bush re-elected compared with 43 percent who would not.

Voters said they prefered Republican President Bush's stance for dealing with terrorists than what they have seen so far from leading figures among the Democrats.

Some 57 percent said they prefered Bush's position on terrorism to 21 who prefered the Democrats. But 45 percent felt the Democrats had more to offer on stimulating the economy, compared with 36 percent who thought Bush had a better approach.

The survey was taken between August 21-22 on some 1,011 adults aged 18 and above. The poll has a plus or minus three percent error margin.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: britain; electionpresident; polls; presidentbushlist; publicopinionlist
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Comment #121 Removed by Moderator

To: Timesink
There is no reason for the least complacency.

Winter is coming and oil prices are high. If we have another harsh winter with high heating bills Bush will not have an ice cube's chance in hell in the Northeast and Midwest.
122 posted on 08/23/2003 7:40:55 PM PDT by Tokhtamish
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To: Texas_Dawg
” Won't success in Iraq bring oil prices down? ”

Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Ha, Ha, Ha, ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha
Good one !

123 posted on 08/23/2003 7:41:36 PM PDT by thtr
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To: thtr
An increased flow of oil from Iraq onto the world markets won't bring the prices of oil down?

Please explain.

124 posted on 08/23/2003 7:43:27 PM PDT by Texas_Dawg (I will not rest until every "little man" is destroyed.)
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To: Brian S
<< Nearly half of Americans wouldn't vote for Bush again >>

That's OK.

Nearly half of the Americans and none of the millions of dead and two-state [NY and FL] cheats and criminal aliens and other felons who voted didn't vote for him last time and he was still elected.

And if all of the millions of dead and two-state [NY and FL] cheats and criminal aliens and other felons and nearly half of the Americans who vote don't vote for him again next time he will win only 40 states -- and only 350 Electoral College votes!

And will be president until President Condi Rice and Vice President Alan Keyes take over from him in January 2009!
125 posted on 08/23/2003 7:50:06 PM PDT by Brian Allen ( Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Brian Allen
And will be president until President Condi Rice

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Give that man a prize!

126 posted on 08/23/2003 7:59:53 PM PDT by Texas_Dawg (FreeRepublic.com: "Where Hitler built the Autobahn and Mussolini made the trains run on time.")
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To: Texas_Dawg
You don't even know if Condi Rice wants to export more manufacturing jobs yet. Quit getting so excited about her.
127 posted on 08/23/2003 8:01:59 PM PDT by dogbyte12
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To: Brian S
I have a news flash for these "sky is falling" assholes:Bush is going to win big.
128 posted on 08/23/2003 8:04:54 PM PDT by The Wizard (Saddamocrats are enemies of America, treasonous everytime they speak)
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To: dogbyte12
You don't even know if Condi Rice wants to export more manufacturing jobs yet. Quit getting so excited about her.

How do you know I don't know that?

129 posted on 08/23/2003 8:08:48 PM PDT by Texas_Dawg (FreeRepublic.com: "Where Hitler built the Autobahn and Mussolini made the trains run on time.")
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To: The Wizard
I have a news flash for these "sky is falling" assholes:Bush is going to win big.

I hope you include most of FR in that group. We are always and forever doomed with this crowd.

130 posted on 08/23/2003 8:09:48 PM PDT by Texas_Dawg (FreeRepublic.com: "Where Hitler built the Autobahn and Mussolini made the trains run on time.")
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To: Dog Gone
AFP = Agence France-Presses = BS
131 posted on 08/23/2003 8:13:23 PM PDT by AMNZ
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To: The Wizard
Does this mean that more than half WOULD vote to give him another shot?

works for me!
132 posted on 08/23/2003 8:14:52 PM PDT by Robert_Paulson2
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To: kms61
Heard the other day that Ross Perot is thinking about screwing uo the next election, too -- doen't matter, he'd get less than 5% this time.....
133 posted on 08/23/2003 8:16:28 PM PDT by Froggie
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To: B Knotts
" A serious, massive crackdown on illegal immigration could boost his numbers quickly. "

I know I won't vote for Bush ( nor will I vote against him in favor of another candidate ) UNLESS there were a crackdown on illegal immigration , and deportation of every illegal now in the country . Spend $$$ whatever it takes but get 'em O U T and KEEP 'em out !!!!!!!!


134 posted on 08/23/2003 8:22:31 PM PDT by sushiman
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To: bimbo
If Rove & Co. let the Democrats steal the immigration issue, the GOP will be in the minority for fifty years.

I'm not sure the Democrats are smart enough to steal it, though, and it also causes some problems with them holding their coalition together.

On the other hand, it costs the GOP virtually nothing (politically speaking), and gains them huge numbers of concerned voters.

135 posted on 08/23/2003 8:26:10 PM PDT by B Knotts
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To: Timesink
There are two very big differences

Three. While Perot and the flip-flop on taxes were fatal to Bush on their own, in that order, IMHO, he also lost a number of single issue voters on the 1989 Assault Weapons Ban, where he banned some 40 types of weapon from importation based on a "sporting" test. That decision probably cost him between 60,000 and 200,000 votes, and gained him zero (anyone who's a single-issue voter for gun control never votes Republican).

Gun owners, and particularly owners of these expensive, collector-oriented weapons, tend to be significantly wealthier and more politically active than the median. So he probably lost a lot of grass-roots, rank-and-file sign holders, poll workers, telephone bank volunteers, and drivers (he got my vote on the "lesser of evils" principle, but didn't get my effort, my volunteer work, my classic car driving around with a three foot long sign on the roof, all of which he had in 1988). He also didn't get my max contribution -- I gave to the Senatorial and Congressional committees instead.

I just can't get excited enough to really support someone who will bargain my rights in an attempt to pander. GHWB was (and is) a very nice fellow, and a courageous man, and on balance he was a good president, but he threw the election away by dumping his base to pursue praise from the fickle press.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

136 posted on 08/23/2003 8:34:00 PM PDT by Criminal Number 18F
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To: Texas_Dawg
It just isn’t quite that simple

Firstly, it will take many years and billions of dollars before Iraq can begin to ship oil in the quantities that could affect world price. Meanwhile, the continuing fighting against our military and the sabotage of oil producing equipment cancels any type of foreign investment that is needed. Iraq does not have, nor will it for many years, an effective justice system under which long-term oil contracts can be arbitrated. Companies would be insane to invest there. Practically speaking, there is as much chance that Iraq will dissolve into civil war as there is it becoming an American friendly democracy.

Secondly, it is more than likely that an independent Iraq would re-join OPEC. OPEC will continue to establish official production ceilings and the US, UK and Russian oil companies will gladly fall into OPECs price lines (as they always do). The price of oil will continue to be in the hands of OPEC and prices in the US will not be reduced.

137 posted on 08/23/2003 8:36:41 PM PDT by thtr
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To: deport
Here we see the full panoply of the Democratic Party, a Party which looks like America. You got (in order from top left to bottom right):

your fat black female liberals; toupéed liberals; and grinning faux-moderate liberals;

Jewish liberals; greedy ambulance-chasing liberals; and media-darling liberals;

Extortionate liberals; albino/Aryan demogogue liberals; and French-looking liberals;

Power-hungry totalitarian bleach-blonde liberals; and deeply saddened liberals.

Ah, the wonders of diversity!

d.o.l.

Crimial Number 18F
138 posted on 08/23/2003 8:41:22 PM PDT by Criminal Number 18F
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To: thtr
Firstly, it will take many years and billions of dollars before Iraq can begin to ship oil in the quantities that could affect world price. Meanwhile, the continuing fighting against our military and the sabotage of oil producing equipment cancels any type of foreign investment that is needed. Iraq does not have, nor will it for many years, an effective justice system under which long-term oil contracts can be arbitrated. Companies would be insane to invest there. Practically speaking, there is as much chance that Iraq will dissolve into civil war as there is it becoming an American friendly democracy.

So the oil companies want to lose the war? I thought they wanted to win the war. Which is it?

Secondly, it is more than likely that an independent Iraq would re-join OPEC.

How do you know this?

139 posted on 08/23/2003 8:43:14 PM PDT by Texas_Dawg (FreeRepublic.com: "Where Hitler built the Autobahn and Mussolini made the trains run on time.")
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Comment #140 Removed by Moderator


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