AP -- Bush Approval Rating Dips Below 40

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 11:18am

From the AP:

WASHINGTON - President Bush's job approval has dipped below 40 percent for the first time in the AP-Ipsos poll, reflecting widespread doubts about his handling of gasoline prices and the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Nearly four years after Bush's job approval soared into the 80s after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Bush was at 39 percent job approval in an AP-Ipsos poll taken this week. That's the lowest since the the poll was started in December 2003.

The public's view of the nation's direction has grown increasingly negative as well, with nearly two-thirds now saying the country is heading down the wrong track.
_______________________________________________________________

With gasoline racing past $3 a gallon, Bush's standing on dealing with those prices may be one of his biggest problems — seven in 10 said they disapprove.

And just over half in the poll, 52 percent, said they disapprove of the president's handling of the hurricane.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050910/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_ap_poll

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 11:51am

Saw the numbers on MSNBC this morning and was happy to see the dinosaur of the American Public finally realizing the mistake taht was made last November.

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 11:57am

Thanks for the heads up Margo. I think Bill Maher was right when he called HK Bush's Waterloo. I hope he is.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:27pm

What startles me is how Rove and company blew the kind of situation they otherwise thrive on and rush to EXPLOIT. Bush has always been strongest at playing up easy I'm-one-of-the-people symbolism and using shallow "Presidential" posturing to win the hearts and minds of his own. Not this time. Why? Mere arrogance?

Does anyone realize, now, how easy it would've been for him to posture his way through this? HAD HE ONLY BEGUN IN TIME? Without spending a nickle, he could've rushed back from the ranch on day 2, addressed the nation that night, and made his way south to hug a few dark-skinned children in need. Rove could've brilliantly orchestrated a series of photo-ops to end them all, particularly in light of how quickly the cameras arrived. And if he'd gotten down there early, the displaced "folks" would've been so genuinely surprised to see him.

On the cusp of another 9/11 anniversary, this was an easy way to look strong. Yet the miscalculations are now legion, perhaps legendary. When Bush should've been huggin' n'fighting back tears, Bryan Williams and the entire CNN crew were in place, watching, recording, weeping at the devastation in real time.

I assert he could've won over many during this crisis without any change in policy -- just a little Eva Peron like theatrics. But when you mix in the context for this tragedy -- the camping out of Cindy Sheehan during his 29 days of vacation, the pitifully deficient Iraq constitution development amid escalating violence, etc. -- perhaps the miscalculation is even more bizarre. And to Bush, costly. His leadership rating has gone from 84 to 48.

How easily he might've held onto more of that ... if he'd simply handled it with some of the shallow but effective Rovian strategy that has served him -- and saved him -- in the past.

Updated On: 9/10/05 at 12:27 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:42pm

Good points Auggie. You're absolutely right. This was an uncharacteristic botch job by Rove and company. Had Bush made it down there on Day 2, looking strong and in control, his approval numbers would have probably jumped to 45 or so, even with the ever-increasing gas prices. But, the delayed and confused response coupled with the ever-more chaotic situation in Iraq is pointing up a crisis in leadership that the country is increasingly picking up on. Even his prime base is starting to get a little shaky. Confidence in him is eroding and he's going to have to do something very dramatic to stop the bleeding.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:04pm

Notice how our fellow GOPs on the board have nothing to say.

I don't want to beat up on them--I actually respect that they (unlike their party leaders) have the brains and decency to not even try to spout off the spin. There just is no spin for this.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:17pm

And Margo, too few people have noticed the irony that Karen Hughes was sworn in last week, amid this swirling controversy, her new job "...to improve the US image abroad..." I dare say, Ms. Hughes would do well to worry about the opinions on this soil before she takes on far reaching hearts and minds. She has her job cut out for her, as she sells our brand of freedom and opportunity in the context of this crisis.

And what will they pull out of their hat? The 2008 GOP convention in the rebuilt New Orleans? Bush arriving by riverboat as someone sings "Old Man River?" I wonder if these stunts will land as easily as they have in the past.

Updated On: 9/10/05 at 01:17 PM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:19pm

Perhaps they think that as in golf, the lower score the better!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:26pm

He can't count past 20, so this is still a big number to him.

[DAME]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:27pm

Good points Auggie.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 2:38pm

Well, one of them has "the brains and decency to not even try to spout off the spin." The rest of them were doing it without even realizing it.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 3:50pm

The thing is- Bush is fried anyway ( again I thank the deity for term limits)the only 2 things I can see is 1) how his lack of response will stain the GOP , 2) his place in history, which his rich man's ego will be bruised from the bad image every one now holds of him. ( yes my syntaxc is lousy but I think my meaning is clear) How can Bush be held accountable? Only historically. I almost wonder if they WANT to leave such a fu*ked up mess that even if the Dems DID get back into power, they would be condemmed for not cleaning up the prev regimes mess. Paranoia? I don't KNOW any more.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 4:36pm

In the end, the fact remains that THEY DON'T CARE! Absolutely NOTHING from this group has shown me that they give a good god-damn about anyone's opinion, feelings, thoughts or anything else.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 7:19pm

And big surprise, Halliburton and Betchel are the first to swoop in and reap the rewards. I guess we'll be seeing "Halliburton Welcomes you to Mardi Gras!"

"Firms with Bush Ties Snag Deals"

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/business/article.adp?id=200509101105099900 "

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 8:04am

AND did I NOT predict this EXACT thing? - sans change.

The really sad thing is the Dems are not much better ( a little but not much) when they are in power. Can't u throw all the the parties out & start over or @ least create a legit 3rd party to act as a spoiler or kingmaker?