Political Divisions Persist After Election

[papau]

Media trying to imply the public wants Dems to play nice with GOP...interesting...... :-)


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16073-2005Jan17.html?sub=AR

washingtonpost.com
Political Divisions Persist After Election
Nation Unsure, Hopeful About Bush, Poll Finds
By Richard Morin and Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 18, 2005; Page A01

<snip>Fewer than half of those interviewed -- 45 percent -- said they preferred that the country go in the direction that Bush wanted to lead it, whereas 39 percent said Democrats should lead the way. During the first months of his presidency, after the bitterly disputed 2000 election, Americans said they preferred Bush to take the lead by 46 percent to 36 percent.

But the public also wants cooperation from the Democrats. At a time when Democratic leaders are preparing to challenge many of Bush's major initiatives, nearly seven in 10 Americans agree that Bush's victory means that congressional Democrats should compromise with him -- even if it means compromising on their party's principles. Only one in four said Democrats must not compromise on things they find objectionable, even if it means less gets accomplished.

<snip>On Social Security, the poll offered mixed findings that underscore the enormous challenge facing Bush at the start of what both parties see as the most significant legislative battle of the second term.

Those surveyed gave Bush negative marks -- 38 percent approval vs. 55 percent disapproval -- for his handling of the Social Security issue, and three in five said the system will not have enough money to pay benefits by the time they retire. But by 54 percent to 41 percent, the public supported a plan that would include a reduction in the rate of growth of guaranteed benefits and private savings accounts financed with a portion of payroll taxes. A proposal with those elements is under consideration by the Bush administration.<snip>

Americans divide equally over Bush's proposal to index Social Security benefits for future retirees to increases in the cost of living rather than to wage growth as is now the case, a change that would effectively mean benefits would be lower than currently projected. A clear majority of Americans -- 55 percent -- support the president's proposal to allow younger workers to put some of their Social Security savings into stocks or bonds. When packaged together, the two components draw the support of 54 percent of those surveyed.<snip>


1,007 randomly selected adults interviewed Jan. 12 to 16, MOE + or - 3%

[liberal N proud]

1. With the current Democratic leaders they will get what they want

Another example of how dumb Americans can be.

Randomly Selected? from the most conservative sections of the country maybe?

[papau]

2. I hope not - and even with the numbers shown - and the MOE - there isn't

any call for action.

[Acryliccalico]

3. Never intend to play nice.

They set the standard so NO I do not intend to play nice. EVER!!!

[Dr.Phool]

4. Yeah, it's kinda like

I've already sucker-punched you, kicked you in the face, and humiliated you, but now I need some help, so could we play nice?

WRONG!!!!!

[Rainbowreflect]

5. That really pisses me off.

I am "the public", my liberal friends & family are "the public" & most everyone here on DU are "the public". Most of us don't want the Dem's to "play nice" we want them to get off their ass's & fight for us for a change.
Or is that just me????

[Acryliccalico]

6. No it's not just you

We want the Dems to get up off their asses and do their JOB.