Approval Ratings for President and Congressional Leaders Continue to Drop,

[sabra]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-24-2005/0004093359&EDATE=

Approval Ratings for President and Congressional Leaders Continue to Drop, According to Latest Harris Poll


The War Jumps to the Top of the List as the Most Important Issue for the
Government to Address

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- President Bush's job approval
ratings are at their lowest point of his presidency as only 40 percent of U.S.
adults have a favorable opinion of his job performance, while 58 percent have
a negative opinion. This is a decline from just two months ago in June when
the president's ratings were 45 percent positive and 55 percent negative. Much
of this decline can be tied to the public's opinion on important issues. The
war has climbed to the top of the most important issues list and the economy
is now the second most important issue.

These are some of the results of a new Harris Poll of 1,217 U.S. adults
surveyed by telephone by Harris Interactive(R) between August 9 and 16, 2005.

Ratings of Other Cabinet Members

The Harris Poll(R) also examined the ratings of others in the Bush
administration and with one exception; their ratings have also dropped in the
past two months. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is the only cabinet
member who has seen a rise in her ratings. She is now at 57 percent positive
and 37 percent negative, a rise from June when she was at 52 percent positive
and 41 percent negative. Her ratings clearly top those of the political
figures measured.
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has a 40 percent positive, 58 percent
negative rating while Vice President Dick Cheney has a 35 percent positive, 60
percent negative rating.

.....


Right Direction or Wrong Track

As the attitudes toward the president, his cabinet and Congress continue
to decline, Americans are also less satisfied with the way things are going in
the country now as compared to in June. A majority (59%) of adults say things
in the country have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track and 37
percent believe things are moving in the right direction. In June, those
numbers were 38 percent who said things were moving in the right direction and
55 percent who said things had headed off on the wrong track.

The War is the Most Important Issue
The main reason why these percentages may be as low as they are probably
has to do with the most important issues Americans want to see addressed. The
war has taken a large jump as 41 percent say that it is the most important
issue for the government to address, up from 24 percent in June. Following the
war, the economy remains near the top of the list as 19 percent believe it is
the most important issue. We also see that the rising gas prices has moved to
the top five issues of importance as 10 percent of adults think it is the most
important issue for the government to address.
The fact that neither the war nor the economy may be perceived as going
well and people are constantly being reminded of the gas prices every time
they fill their tanks has perhaps left the public looking for someone to
blame. Right now, it looks like they may be placing that blame on the
president, members of his administration and Congress.

[Binka]

1. Little Boots The Fuckwittage

Is HEMORRHAGING!

[UpInArms]

2. those numbers will continue to drop

because the chief nitwit doesn't believe in polls. :eyes:

[Deja Q]

3. If they bothered to look back the last 25 years...

"Right now, it looks like they may be placing that blame on the
president, members of his administration and Congress."

They'd find * isn't the only one doing nothing about our energy policies.

[jobycom]

11. True.

Carter was the last president to worry about anything beyond next week. If not for him, we might have run out already.

The one exception would be Gore. Even as VP, his promotion and funding of hybrid technology is paying off a little. Sure would have been nice to live under his administration for the last five years.

[Ravenseye]

4. It's encouraging

I know he's still got a ton of time left in office, but it's encouraging to think that the American people are on our side. The hard part is getting through to them.

When Clinton left office, even after all that crap and the impeachment and so on, he had an approval rating of 65%. The majority of the country felt we were on the right track.

Now under Bush we're approaching the flip side of those numbers. Almost 60% disaprove of Bush and feel that we're on the wrong track.

We have the numbers. We just need to get out there and get people to vote so overwhealmingly that it makes the next elections impossible to steal.

[tanyev]

5. I might have to go buy some champagne.

Could it be the country is waking up?

[ramapodem]

6. Our Country

We now have proof the American people are on our side. As a college democrat leader I pledge, starting with the governors race this year here in NJ to not rest until we have taken our country back! NOW WHOSE WITH ME!!!!!!! :patriot:

[mama]

7. Who is = "who's"

[myrna minx]

9. How about welcoming this person to DU instead of ridiculing them?

:shrug:

[Fly by night]

24. DU isn't about newcomers ridiculing other newcomers. Jeebus.

But it is beginning to look like we need to start a forum for morans, anal retentives and ex-spelling bee runners-up.

BTW, we're working hard in the Orange State to win back a vote that can be trusted, and we're working with Dems, Republicans, Greens, Libertarians and other true Americans to get that done. But I agree that free, fair and verifiable elections are a "wedge issue" that will benefit Democrats immensely with conservative voters who may not agree with us on everything but who were raised better than the Repug election cheats and thieves that they mistakenly supported in the past.

Welcome to DU, Jersey and mama.

[myrna minx]

10. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[jobycom]

12. Welcome to DU!! There are a lot of us taking the same pledge as you

On the ground, working hard. Local and statewide races is where it starts.

And don't worry, I like your spelling better than the other way, anyway! :woohoo:

[SpeedwayDemocrat]

14. The Indiana Dems are with you!

Before anyone starts screaming "you're a red state," you should know that the Dems in Indiana ARE working; we meet, plan, strategize, share info, etc. The challenge is explaining to that ignorant 30% who still support W that he has lied to them (they don't like to be wrong; it's an obsession with some Repubs) Don't let anyone rain on your parade, Ramapodem, as we're taking this country back one state at a time, and the youth are going to be the ones who make a difference and take back this party (and maybe give it a spine). Hey - any other out there Hoosiers with us?

[Burried News]

19. Welcome to DU Jersey.

Former resident of Teaneck and Fort Lee. :)

[electropop]

22. Welcome, Rama

We're with you!

[converted_democrat]

41. Welcome ramapodem!!!

Hope you like it here, I love it.

:hi:

[underpants]

8. W numbers always went up when people died

That option seems to have gone now.

[jobycom]

13. Condi's ratings have gone up. I just imagine people being polled

thinking "I've got to say something nice about someone, don't I? Momma always said be polite!"

"What do you think about Condi?"

"Well, I haven't heard of her doing anything at all, so I guess I approve of that."

[benddem]

30. guess they didn't

see her in her Pink suit and high heels on that dusty crumby road in Crawford. I think she's a flake.

[jobycom]

36. She's a flake

But she's an invisible flake to most people. The best parts of this administration are the ones who do nothing.

[grytpype]

15. Looks like the ARG poll was not so far off...

36% in the ARG poll, which seemed pretty low... if Harris is at 40% then Chimpy's approval really is in the dumpster.

[lancdem]

17. The similarity is the disapproval rating

It's 58 percent in both polls. Also, the decline is similar in approval. ARG showed a 6 point drop from 42 to 36 and Harris from 45 to 40.

[FourStarDemocrat]

16. Those ratings are a beautiful thing to behold.. finally pple are waking up

I'm wondering whether it's the massive august vacation of president chimpy, or the rising gas prices or god knows what else. I'm just sorry that this didn't happen before the election. I remember one of the first political tv ads run against Kerry in April of 04 by the Bushies that sought to point Kerry as a nutcase that would allow gas prices to get out of control. How ironic that prices have doubled since that commercial was first run.

[DamnYank]

26. A tape of that ad should be made available

online and given as much circulation as possible.

[FourStarDemocrat]

43. agreed!

And welcome to DU DamnYank!

[stevedeshazer]

18. All the pundits are saying Dick "Mushroom Cloud" Cheney will run in 2008?

With a 60% disapproval rating and 35% approval?

One can only hope.

[pauldavid]

20. I want a "Dick For President" Bumper sticker

With numbers like that, I will not say another bad thing about Dick until he is the Repuke Nominee or drops out of the running.

[electropop]

23. Dick Cheney Before He Dicks You

Seen recently on a bumper sticker. :-D

[pauldavid]

25. I would love to see hillary beat dick

[electropop]

35. I'd prefer a Democrat. Say, Boxer/Conyers.

:evilgrin:

[pauldavid]

38. Sorry

I didn't mean I wanted her to be president

[electropop]

39. I was just being pissy.

Even a DLC would be better than a madman.

[stevedeshazer]

37. That would make a great sticker

The possibilities are staggering. :)

[Theduckno2]

21. 60 percent disapproval rating!

Now we know what he is hiding from at his "undisclosed location". I think a Cheney candidacy is implausible, but would like to see him try.

[xxqqqzme]

28. unca dick can't run

he has had 2 terms as president.

[mconvente]

31. lol n/t

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. Disapproval Numbers By State -- 19 Red States more disapprove than approve

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2031416#2031416

[bnr65432]

29. glad to see those numbers

makes me happy to know some of the idiots in our country are waking up

[cliss]

32. Here'w why I'm REALLY optimistic about this poll.

Bush's numbers are sinking like a rock. Here are the most important issues for his demise, and what will likely happen.

1) The war in Iraq. People are really getting tired of all the losses. Bush has already stated many times he's going to "stay the course". Result = more losses, more bloodshed. Lower ratings.

2) The economy. We've lost millions of jobs. Layoffs are up again. Costs are skyrocketing with no end in sight. I see no improvement on the horizon. If anything, the situation is going to get worse. Result = higher prices, a crappier economy this winter. MUCH lower ratings.

3) Gas prices. They're going up, Up, UP. I see no reason for them to come back down. The threads about China becoming desperate for oil pretty much confirms it. They're going to keep increasing. Result = higher prices at the pump. More furious Americans. SUPER-low ratings.
----------------------------

Bush, get ready to be flushed.

[Megahurtz]

33. Keep Going.....

on
.........D
...........O
.............W
................N
:nuke:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

34. It's Clinton's fault, dammit.

I'm not quite sure how, but it just HAS to be! The evil Clenis strikes again.... :evilgrin: :rofl:

Time for a jihad. Or a terra attack. Or something.

[txaslftist]

40. It's the war, stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[bonzotex]

42. Democrat leaders poll badly nationally as well...

I love seeing Chimpy slammed in the polls, but he doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't have to run again. Nobody is going to impeach his dumb criminal ass. Not unless we take the House back...Better yet, both Houses.

The repugs may run an easily defeatable maniac like Cheney or Frist in 2008. I hope they do. Good chance they won't though.

People are pissed. People are realizing they were conned. They (and I'm one of "them") think the Democrats are partly to blame as well. I'll vote for any Democrat over a Republican, but if we want to take our country back, we have to make sure the Repblicans take the fall for all their horrible policies. We can't do that with a pack of Republican enablers in Democratic Blue.

To win we have to get some Democrats that will fight and pursue a distinct Progressive agenda. In some cases that's going to mean some ugly primary fights, Unfortunately we have some deadweight to lose. Not to step on anybody's favorite Dem candidate, but we need some fresh blood and some of the old compromised warhorses need to take a bow and call it a day.

[OzarkDem]

47. Dems in Congress better start distancing themselves from the Repub mess

The DLC idea of running close to Repubs has become an albatross around their necks. But we don't hear much from them. I wonder if they're being held hostage? :evilgrin:

[bonzotex]

51. I dunno, it would seem obvious tactic.

Why so many prominent Democrats are still cowering puzzles me. The Prez and his Party are bleeding out and Democrats keep handing them bandages. WTF?

[despairing optimist]

44. Impeachment finally in sight. Congressional Repubs will vote to save skins

It will happen. It has already begun. The resolution of inquiry re the DSM has one Repub sponsor, and more will follow.

So in one week we've seen Robertson and Falwell thwarted, congressional Repubs wavering, and Bush & Co. on the run. And one month from today the antiwar weekend begins in DC. Things are looking up. The right, always haunted by paranoia, is getting a taste of some reality it didn't create.

[OzarkDem]

45. Dem approval lower than Repubs in Congress

So with Bush's sinking fortunes and growing unpopularity, along with Repub leaders in Congress, can someone explain how it is Dems in Congress have even lower approval ratings? How can they NOT capitalize on Bush's failures?

Dem approval in Congress 31% Excellent/ Pretty Good

http://www.pollingreport.com/congjob.htm#Democrats


Repubs approval in Congress 32% Excellent/Pretty Good

http://www.pollingreport.com/congjob.htm

[ramapo]

50. Dems even more useless than Repubs

On what basis should Dems have a higher approval rating? Just on the fact that they're not Repubs? Most act like Repubs. I haven't heard much of anything meaningful from any Dem outside the Congressional Black Caucus. They're the only ones with any guts...been like that since 2000.

I say the whole witless bunch should go and maybe we could start over.

[bonzotex]

52. Harsh but I have to agree....n/t

[Xipe Totec]

46. It's The Fuel Economy, Stupid

Joe Six-Pack can't afford to drive to the store to buy beer.

What a sobering thought.

[AlGore-08.com]

48. Note the bad news too: Dems get only 31% positive, ALSO down

Congress and Congressional Leaders
Looking at the parties in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats see drops in their ratings, with the Republicans taking the larger fall. Slightly under one-third (31%) of adults give a positive rating to Democrats in Congress and 65 percent give them a negative rating, down from their 33 percent positive, 61 percent negative ratings in June. Currently, Republicans fare only slightly better with a 32 percent positive and a 64 percent negative rating, down from a 37 percent positive and a 58 percent negative rating in June.

[mom cat]

49. Condi's ratings are improving! This must be because she has been mostly

out of site and out of mind! Bush should take a hint...after all, he is half way there....he is out of mind...way out of his mind! :evilgrin: