Free Republic

1. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as President? (IF APPROVE/DISAPPROVE, ASK:) Is that strongly (APPROVE/DISAPPROVE), or only somewhat? (IF NOT SURE/REFUSED/MIXED, ASK:) Well, do you lean more toward approve or disapprove when it comes to his performance as President? ADULTS Total Approve........................................... 42 Total Disapprove ...................................... 55 <SNIP> 3. Now, thinking about the election for U.S Congress in November 2006, regardless of how you might plan to vote in your own district, which party would you like to see in control of Congress after the congressional elections a year from...

The two presumptive favorites for 2008 presidential nominations each face enormous challenges, according to the new Cook Political Report/RT Strategies national poll. Indeed, their problems are almost mirror opposites of each other.For New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrats and Democratic primary voters nationwide are highly receptive to her strengths and downplay her weaknesses. But among independents the view is considerably cooler, and is downright cold among Republicans, raising real questions of electability.On the other hand, if Arizona Sen. John McCain were as well regarded among Republicans and GOP primary voters as he is among independents and Democrats, he'd be...

Note to Republican presidential primary candidates: Don't underestimate George Pataki. There was a time when the pundits said he couldn't win a freshman's run for mayor of Peekskill. They also said that about him when he ran for the Assembly and then the State Senate. In each instance this quiet, thoughtful man proved himself an astute politician who could read his constituents far better than the pollsters and the political analysts. Not only did he run and win but he was able to position himself in such a way that an expanding circle of voters genuinely welcomed him as a...