Optimism has fallen, divisions increased

[NeoConsSuck]

WASHINGTON — President Bush takes the oath of office for a second time on Thursday with ambitious plans to foster democracy in Iraq and to overhaul Social Security, rewrite the tax code and limit medical-malpractice lawsuits at home.

But he will be leading a nation that is less optimistic about the future than it was when he was inaugurated for his first term. Then, 56% of those surveyed by USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup were generally satisfied with the way things were going in the USA; now 46% are. He'll face a public that is deeply divided over his leadership.

That divide has solidified over the past four years, costing him the honeymoon that presidents — even second-term presidents — typically enjoy at inauguration. He takes office with a job-approval rating of 51%, the consistently lowest of any re-elected president in modern times. Partisan divisions eased when Presidents Clinton, Reagan and Eisenhower were sworn in a second time. They haven't for Bush.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-18-bush-cover_x.htm

[xchrom]

1. bush doesn't care.

[renaissanceguy]

6. Nope. And we won't be able to call ourselves the best country in the world

when Canada and Europe are making so much progress, and we're moving backwards.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/477698

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Right. Bush did it to himself. He came out of that last election

way too arrogant and in no hurry to compromise and mend bridges. So if it's conflict he wants to foster for his second term, so be it.

[llmart]

2. And yet millions of stupid assholes......

still voted to continue more of the same. Go figure:(

[Lone_Star_Dem]

4. Delete

[Skittles]

3. it would help if the bastards stopped stealing elections

nt

[Theres-a]

13. Thank you!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. Yeah, at least pretend to play fair, huh?

I love this line...

Partisan divisions eased when Presidents Clinton, Reagan and Eisenhower were sworn in a second time. They haven't for Bush.

Well, of course they did NOT for Clinton, Lewinsky was in the second term. Nor for Reagan, Iran Contra hit hard during his second term. Eisenhower had great adversity with his own GOP in his second term.

And, well, for some reason they forgot Nixon.

[Fovea]

15. yes, but we don't teach history

so very few Americans under fifty know this.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. These numbers really tell a story

What kind of president do you think Bush will be in his second
term?

Out-standing 17%
Above average or average 40%
Below average or poor 42%
No opinion 1%

Would you describe Bush as a uniter or divider?

Uniter 49%
Divider 49%
No opinion 2%


Do you think the United States made a mistake in invading Iraq?

Yes 52%
No 47%
No opinion 1%

Do you think country will be better off four years from now?

Better off or same 56%
Worse off 42%
No opinion 2%

So our President is:

Expected to under perform

Is a proven divider (49-49 split you can't argue the divide there)

Made a mistake invading Iraq

BUT Somehow the country will be better off or the same 4 years from now? :wtf:

Do they just make this stuff up off the top of their heads?

[highnooner]

7. Point Made!

Would you describe Bush as a uniter or divider?

Uniter 49%
Divider 49%
No opinion 2%

[No Exit]

11. LOL--I love the stat you quoted re: is he a uniter or a divider...

We could say, "On the subject of whether Pres. Bush is a uniter or a divider, opinions were sharply divided..."

[Solly Mack]

8. He's time is short & he has all that power at his finger tips

He will cause as much damage as he possibly can as fast as he can.

He wants to and he will.

He doesn't care and he never has

He knows no one will touch him or stop him.

For the sake of "tradition", America is about to install a man who not only supports torture, but crafts reasons in writing on why it's legal and sound. The kind of America that would allow that isn't the kind of America needed to stop Bush.

[dbt]

9. Hmm. USA Today must be brought to heel.

Odd for what was such an ass-kissing rag in the heady first days of bu$h-o-Murka to be dropping these little hints of discontent.

Or maybe this is exactly what Rove wants. Perhaps keeping the populace off-balance makes it easier to hide Truly Evil Shit?

:freak:
dbt
(Pondering the soft bigotry of low expectations.)

[jackster]

12. Heard last night on "American Idol"

Seacrest comparing the closeness of the Kerry/Bush race with the Clay/Reuben contest!

Even on FOX they realize that this thing was closer than the rethugs would have us believe.

We might be polarized, but we're split basically half and half - !

[keopeli]

16. KOOL-AID WARNING!!!

I know everyone likes to believe poll numbers, but I would tread very carefully. Bush* is very very good at setting LOW EXPECTATIONS. Then, with a modicum of success he can hang a banner saying "Mission Accomplished". Are expectations low? Only for half the voting country. And I say we should all make our expectations extraordinarily high so his little technique for winning will fail.

USA Today is a dirty rag, best for the bottom of my birdcage.