Bush, GOP, up in Harris poll

UPI ^ | Published 9/27/2002 8:16 PM | From the Life & Mind Desk

[luv2ndamend]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The ratings of President George W. Bush and the Republicans have improved sharply as the nation's focus moves from domestic issues to a preemptive war with Iraq, terrorism and national security, a new Harris poll has found.

"The public has responded positively to the president's leadership," wrote Harris Interactive Chairman Humphrey Taylor in a summary.

Between Sept. 19 and 23, the Harris Poll conducted a nationwide telephone survey of a cross-section of 1,011 adults. The results, released on Friday, show that Bush's ratings have risen from 63 percent to 68 percent positive in August, with 37 percent negative now down to 30 percent.

Vice President Dick Cheney's ratings showed an even greater improvement -- from 45 percent positive and 43 percent negative in August to 52 percent positive and 37 percent negative now.

The ratings of congressional Republicans have gone up from 41 percent positive to 47 percent positive while 49 percent negative has been reduced to 42 percent negative. The ratings of the Democrats in Congress have also improved, but less so, from 38 percent positive to 42 percent positive, and 54 percent negative becoming 49 percent.

Taylor interprets these figures -- with the GOP winning more positive support than negative criticism, and the Democrats receiving higher negative ratings -- as encouraging signs for the Republicans as the November elections approach.

The scores of several Cabinet secretaries have changed little since August.

Secretary of State Colin Powell -- with 75 percent positive, 18 percent negative ratings -- continues to rank highest of all U.S. political leaders.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's ratings are also little changed at 61 percent positive and 27 percent negative.

Attorney General John Ashcroft's ratings, at 52 percent positive and 32 percent negative, also are almost the same as they were last month.

The pollsters could find no particular events that account for the improvement in the rather poor ratings of Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill -- which rose to 38 percent positive from 33 percent in August, while negative ratings dropped from 38 percent that month to 30 percent positive now.

The ratings of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., (38 percent positive, 38 percent negative) also are significantly better than they were last month (34 percent positive, 43 percent negative). However, the poll was taken before Daschle's recent criticism of the president.

When respondents are asked to rank the most important issues for the government to address, without being shown any list or being prompted, the economy continues to top the list at 28 percent, but this is down somewhat from its score in July and August (33 percent and 32 percent).

The next four issues, however, are terrorism (24 percent), the "war" (14 percent), Iraq/Saddam Hussein (14 percent) and national security (12 percent).

Copyright © 2002 United Press International

[luv2ndamend]

Some good news!

[kezekiel]

sniff sniff... Is that a Republican Senatorial majority I smell?

[SamAdams76]

Remember, we only need ONE senate seat and Daschle, Hillary, Kennedy and the rest of the socialist crowd will be spending the Christmas season cleaning out their desks. Of course, I'd feel more comfortable if the GOP picked up several senate seats and that is indeed possible.

[PianoMan]

52 percent favorable for Cheney - and that is one conservative guy.

[Arkinsaw]

Remember, we only need ONE senate seat and Daschle, Hillary, Kennedy and the rest of the socialist crowd will be spending the Christmas season cleaning out their desks. Of course, I'd feel more comfortable if the GOP picked up several senate seats and that is indeed possible.

We need more than one, we have some New England turncoats waiting in the wings I'm betting to flip it right back if its close. You know...if you can't win an election, cheat.

[vbmoneyspender]

When respondents are asked to rank the most important issues for the government to address, without being shown any list or being prompted, the economy continues to top the list at 28 percent, but this is down somewhat from its score in July and August (33 percent and 32 percent).

The next four issues, however, are terrorism (24 percent), the "war" (14 percent), Iraq/Saddam Hussein (14 percent) and national security (12 percent).

In other words, the war on terrorism ranks first at 64%.

[Robert_Paulson2]

snowe and chaffee will jump...

we need to gain three to keep the jumpers out of the zone where they can be "bought" with a seat on committee by Daschle.

They are saying that we have four pretty much as a minimum... and a gain by as much of eight is potential. gaining eight would put us in the 57-58 range... but is not likely we will get there.

I look for chaffee to jump, if we only gain one.

[tomahawk]

I can understand these numbers, except for one. Why aren't Cheney's numbers higher? He is doing a fantastic job, and his input is very beneficial. His rating should be high like Rummy's (my favorite).

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Hence, the RAT meltdown this week. 1994 is going to be revisited in November.

[Recovering_Democrat]

From your nose to the altar of God.

[Robert_Paulson2]

nice analysis....

a real poll would have divided up economic issues into:

retirement income
medical coverage
job growth
stock market
price of gasoline
interest rates
vs.

America's defense.

bet that puppy would have gone 92 percent to eight....
we are getting so fed up with the bullshirt poll manipulations...

[luv2ndamend]

Good point!

[Paleo Conservative]

'Remember, we only need ONE senate seat and Daschle, Hillary, Kennedy and the rest of the socialist crowd will be spending the Christmas season cleaning out their desks. Of course, I'd feel more comfortable if the GOP picked up several senate seats and that is indeed possible.'

We need more than one, we have some New England turncoats waiting in the wings I'm betting to flip it right back if its close. You know...if you can't win an election,

If Talent beat Carnahan, the RATS could be playing musical chairs on November.

[PhilDragoo]

I look for chaffee to jump, if we only gain one.

In which case, Bobbitt him.

Alright, who's next?

[Right_in_Virginia]

"Why aren't Cheney's numbers higher? He is doing a fantastic job,.."

The media's love affair with Halliburton has taken its toll.

[Paleo Conservative]

on November = on November 6

[John Lenin]

we need to gain three to keep the jumpers out of the zone where they can be "bought" with a seat on committee by Daschle.


<<<<

If vacant Lott had a brain he would be cultivating a dem switch to the GOP. Vacant Lott and brain, did I say that ?

[Savage Beast]

"The ratings of the Democrats in Congress have also improved"

You have to remember that half the population has an I.Q. below 100.

[Allrich Towing]

Great news!! Go, Mr. President!

- Gin

[nutmeg]

Remember, we only need ONE senate seat and Daschle, Hillary, Kennedy and the rest of the socialist crowd will be spending the Christmas season cleaning out their desks. Of course, I'd feel more comfortable if the GOP picked up several senate seats and that is indeed possible.

I'd feel FAR more comfortable if the GOP picked up more than just one seat. You never know which way Linc Chaffee is going to go... he's most likely the next Benedict Jeffords.