Capture boosts Bush in Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll

[leftward]

By John Harwoodand Jacob M. Schlesinger
The Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON - President Bush reaped a quick political benefit from the captureof Saddam Hussein, and his Democratic rivals began adjusting to thedevelopment that the president said "changed the equation in Iraq."

A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll following the weekend seizure of Saddam showed an immediate uptick for Bush, with Americans expressingincreased approval of his leadership and the nation’s direction overall.

More than that, the news seems to have eased some of Americans’ underlying concerns about the Iraqi occupation.

After months on the defensive, Bush has for the moment taken the high ground both on Iraq and the recovering economy.

While the poll shows his Democratic challengers retaining noteworthy advantages on familiar terrain such as prescription drugs for seniors as well as new fronts such as controlling government spending, Bush has moved from a virtual dead heat against a generically identified Democratic opponent to a clear lead.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/12162003/world/65682.htm

[Snellius]

1. Why do they only do polls the day after Bush scores points?

Ever notice how, when the market is slipping or Iraq is falling apart or our allies the British are pulling down statues of Bush in Trafalgar Square, the American media, obsessed with trying to prove they were right to allow the Republicans to steal the country, remains silent. But the day after something happens that favors Bush -- and redeems their own incompetence -- they rush out to validate their cowardice and surrender with some predictable poll? And then Frank Luntz or Bill Schneider or Tim Russert can wave it around during the news and, beaming with self-satisfaction, tell us all "See we were right all along. He's not really a stupid, petty tyrant. The American people have spoken. We told you so."

[Snivi Yllom]

2. its only a matter of time

Bush will be in the 40's by next November.

[jonoboy]

3. thats OK then..as long as the Dow is up who cares about the dead

[denverbill]

4. Kick