Poll: Bush Slipping Among Independents (45% down from 64%)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Bush-Poll.html

President Bush's support among political independents, a critical voting group in the coming year, has been slipping in recent weeks, a new poll has found.

The CBS-New York Times poll, released Saturday, found that fewer than half, 45 percent, of independents approve of the job Bush is doing as president. In December, Bush's approval among independents had soared to 64 percent in the same poll.

While 62 percent of independents support Bush's handling of terrorism, his backing on other issues is lagging in that group. Only 44 percent of independents support his handling of Iraq in the CBS-NYT poll and 37 percent support his handling of the economy.

In the poll, 43 percent of all those polled said the war in Iraq was worth the costs and 51 percent said it was not.

[Lauren2882]

1. Great news!

:toast:

[Syrinx]

2. I wonder what kind of dirty tricks they have planned...

To reverse the trend. You know they're coming.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

4. I bet it starts with the SOTU....

That's where the dirty tricks began last time around.

[Wapsie B]

7. Maybe they'll purge the voting roles

of anything other than koservative xians.

[0007]

12. btt

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. 62 percent of independents support Bush's handling of terrorism

Just what has Bush done on "Terrorism" anyway?

Nobody ever goes on to explain what they mean. As far as I can tell,
terrorists are playing to an open net. They choose the time & place.
Bush has done nothing.


Perhaps what people mean is that Bush has killed lots of Arabs and that somehow makes them feel safer and better.

[mot78]

5. Most of these "Independents"

only trust * on terrorism because there hasn't been a major news event to upset media coverage of Kobe and Laci.

[alcuno]

16. I'm starting to think that people respond positively to this kind of

question because they are afraid of ending up on some list of the unpatriotic. Maybe they think it will take them longer to get on an airplane.

The point is that ALL these people support *'s war on terrorism but they aren't going to vote for him? Huh.

[Room101]

6. I'm a INDY

I can't wait to send * back to Texas!

[jab105]

9. I'm registered Independent also...

and agree with you completely!!

[MidwestTransplant]

8. Is this consistent with other polls in the last week or so?

My feeling is that his immigration proposal and moon walk make him look out of touch with the average voter.

[Cat Atomic]

10. Good news indeed. But you know...

The worse things look for Bush, the more I expect a sort of election season Operation Northwoods. They've pretty much proven themselves to be ruthless thugs. That's tinfoil hat stuff, I suppose- but I just can't help it.

Anyway- good news on those approval ratings. :)

[radfringe]

11. Poll Bolsters Bush on Terrorism but Finds Doubts on Economy

http://www.democrats.com/

Poll Bolsters Bush on Terrorism but Finds Doubts on Economy
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/18/politics/campaigns/18POLL.html
By ROBIN TONER and JANET ELDER
Published: January 18, 2004


pResident Bush begins his campaign year with Americans voicing strong support for his handling of the war against terrorism, but many doubting his economic and domestic policies, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

Fewer than one in five people said their tax burden had been eased by Mr. Bush, who has made tax cuts the centerpiece of his economic program. His latest domestic initiatives, unveiled in the run-up to the State of the Union message on Tuesday, got only a lukewarm response, with 58 percent saying that building a permanent space station on the Moon was not worth the risks and costs.

Moreover, the support Mr. Bush gained after the capture of Saddam Hussein last month has largely dissipated. His overall approval rating now stands at 50 percent, comparable to President Bill Clinton's 47 percent in January 1996. Mr. Bush remains a polarizing figure in a sharply divided country, with 9 in 10 Republicans approving of his performance, and only 1 in 4 of the Democrats.

[underpants]

13. The media is already promoting 'getting out your base' & not swing voters

This, in my opinion, is either a feint by the Rove machinery or a built in rainy day. I can't understand why you wouldn't want to appeal to MORE people in an election. The country is split 35-40% on each side which leaves 20-30% wide open, amongst people who actually vote.

I think that the Dean movement is bringing a lot of young people who might not otherwise be involved to get involved which could be huge even if he doesn't get the nomination. If the machinery-Deans "kids", Gep's labor, Edwards soccermoms, Kerry's appeal to vets (sorry to summarize)-is held together those numbers alone will be formidable for W&Co. to beat.

[Timefortruth]

14. kick for the Monday morning crowd.nt

[dusty64]

15. I can't believe these

numbers are even this high.

[cthrumatrix]

17. try to find somebody that supports this guys policies....besides a

propaganda wingnut...it's a tough sell...he's a disaster