Bush Support Strong After Convention; Kerry Favorability Rating Plunges in New Survey

Washington Post ^ | 9/10

[ambrose]

Bush Support Strong After Convention

Kerry Favorability Rating Plunges in New Survey

By Richard Morin and Dan Balz

Washington Post Staff Writers

Friday, September 10, 2004; Page A01

-snip-

In the five weeks since the Democratic convention, Kerry's favorable rating has plunged. Besides a relentless pounding from the GOP, Kerry has experienced attacks on his Vietnam War service from a group of Vietnam veterans, and the Democrat's comments about Iraq have been a source of controversy. Kerry's favorable rating fell from 51 percent at beginning of August to 36 percent among registered voters in the new Post-ABC News poll, while his unfavorable rating rose from 32 percent to 42 percent.

Bush's favorable rating rose slightly to 51 percent, and his overall approval rating rose another notch to 52 percent. An identical percentage of voters said Bush deserves a second term. Strategists in both campaigns have watched Bush's approval rating closely as an indicator of his reelection prospects. That rating fell below 50 percent in May and has been inching back up over the summer. History suggests that Bush will be formidable in November if his approval rating remains in the low 50s, vulnerable if he is in the 40s.

-snip-

[ambrose]

The Rat Strategy is clear. They know that Kerry is hated, and his favorability ratings are hopeless at this point. Therefore they want to throw mud at Bush and hope to bring him down with him. W has thus far not dignified these treasonous scumbags with a response, and I think that is the right call.

[CWOJackson]

"Besides a relentless pounding from the GOP, Kerry has experienced attacks on his Vietnam War service from a group of Vietnam veterans, and the Democrat's comments about Iraq have been a source of controversy."

Hmmmmm. I guess they haven't consider the candidate himself as being a source of the problem.

[smonk]

being a party to a fraud (by forgery) isn't going to help his already struggling favorability ratings.

[zarf]

Hmmmmm. I guess they haven't consider the candidate himself as being a source of the problem.

Kerry might be the worst of the Democrats since 72.

Sure, McGovern got creamed, but he had a political point of view that was consistent.

Kerry's abysmal.

[Angelus Errare]

Excellent ...

[Socratic]

"Kerry's abysmal."

He's Marianas Trench material.

[teletech]

This makes me wonder how Kerry is going to handle the debates. Is he going to take both sides of every issue? Boy, I hope so!

[KellyAdmirer]

Where are those guys who liked to give us updates on how Bush's approval ratings foretold his doom. You know, "If Bush's approval rating is 48 or lower, he loses, if it's 48-50, he wins a squeaker, if above he wins clean." It's funny how those guys only posted when Bush's ratings were below the magic 48% approval and they could spread their little nuggets of doom and gloom. Yep, real funny.

[FairOpinion]

Thanks for the ping.

People are starting to get to know Kerry.

The more they know him, the less they like him.

[StarFan]

Just finished reading Newsweek poll which said GWB's lead is narrowing to a 6 point spread. Polls are all over the place but one thing is clear. If Kerry is warning blacks that their votes will be disenfranchised and is beginning to question the accuracy of absentee ballots, he too sees the handwriting on the wall (says she with fingers crossed).

[midftfan]

As more people see Kerry the more they're turned off by the prospect of him as President. His constantly changing positions have exposed him as having no core values and lack of character. President Bush has his faults to be sure, but even the most partisan Dem has to admit that they know where he stands on the issues that matter most to Americans. That's why today we're in the midst of a slime war launched by a party that knows it's going to lose, and I think we all know there are some in that party who aren't going to be sad to see that outcome occur.

[italianquaker]

Simple analysis Kerry to know him is to not like him
ciao
w2004

[bray]

36% favorability has to be some sort of record for a Presidential Candidate. We're talking Goober Carter and Nixon levels.....toast! Time for the Swifties to fire another torpedo!!

Pray for W and Our Troops

[Casloy]

Am I the only one who gets the feeling the Dems really don't want to win this election? It's hard to believe the number of mistakes they have made just in the past couple of weeks. They aren't amateurs at this and it's hard to believe how they seem to invariably pick a strategy that just compounds their problems. Normally I wouldn't even consider this possibility, but with the Clintons and their ilk working on the campaign, who knows?

[hinckley buzzard]

"Sure, McGovern got creamed, but he had a political point of view that was consistent."

McGovern was a hard leftwinger but had his principles.
Kerry is to the left of McGovern and is totally unprincipled. John Kerry is from the Ba'athist wing of American politics.

[expatpat]

The Democrats had little to pick from after Dean melted. They thought ABB was enough, and accepted a fake Vietnam 'hero', thinking that would trump the National Security issue.

[smoothsailing]

You have nailed it!

Cheap tricks and trailer trash tactics.

[FairOpinion]

"Kerry's favorable rating fell from 51 percent at beginning of August to 36 percent among registered voters in the new Post-ABC News poll,"

Love it!

No wonder they are acting like cornered rats.

[CFC__VRWC]

Kerry might be the worst of the Democrats since 72.

I'd say Kerry is the worst the democrats have ever run. Historians 50 years from now will be wondering how this soulless empty suit hack even made it past the first cut in the Rat primaries.

[blanknoone]

a group of Vietnam Veterans

Umm, Wapo, you need to do better reporting. There are several large groups of Vietnam Veterans against Kerry. I assume your single reference is to the relatively small group of 254 who served with and personally knew Kerry. But there are other groups effectively opposing him as well. There are at least 2 groups of non specific Vietnam Veterans as well as at least one of former POWs. Without thought or research, I know of 4 groups. Four groups is not 'a group'

[hinckley buzzard]

"This makes me wonder how Kerry is going to handle the debates. Is he going to take both sides of every issue?"

Mainly he will be attacking GW for "attacking his patriotism." GW will then graciously acknowledge that he would never question Kerry's patriotism.

Then Kerry will attack GW for attacking his service in VietNam. GW will graciously acknowledge that his service in VietNam was "heroic."

Then Kerry will attack GW for not showing up for his physical 32 years ago. GW and everyone else in the hall will burst out laughing.

Game, set, and match.

[teletech]

Mainly he will be attacking GW for "attacking his patriotism." GW will then graciously acknowledge that he would never question Kerry's patriotism.

Then Kerry will attack GW for attacking his service in VietNam. GW will graciously acknowledge that his service in VietNam was "heroic."

Then Kerry will attack GW for not showing up for his physical 32 years ago. GW and everyone else in the hall will burst out laughing.

Game, set, and match.

So basically what you're saying is that the President will make Kerry look foolish. I LIKE IT!!

[bushsupporter30]

You know, I think the same thing. Also, to all the people who were the doom and gloom crowd, when Bush wasnt doing so well in the polls, of how abysmmal the Bush relection team was and Rove needed to be fired and etc etc etc. Wonder with the impending implosion of the Kerry campaign, what they would think now.

[NormsRevenge]

Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards (news - web sites) waves to supporters at LaborFest in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards (news - web sites), left, shakes hands with Mark Cullins, during a tour of downtown Canton, N.C., Sunday, Sept 12, 2004. Edwards was touring the town after heavy rains associated with the remnants of Hurricane Frances flooded the area last week. Cullins was helping remove mud and debris from a local buisness. (AP Photo/Alan Marler)

[bushsupporter30]

I think by the time the debates roll around, Kerry is going to be so upset that none of the mud slinging worked, that he is going to bring up the vietnam crap again, and Bush is going to take the high road. Methinks he is going to pull another AlGore in your face that will turn off the voters even more against this turd.
When have we seen the polls go up with Kerry out there in front of people. For all those who think Kerry is going to cream Bush in the debates, they might want to think about Gore and Ann Richards.

[Truthsearcher]

We need to prop up the notion that Kerry will destroy Bush in the debates, setting the bar so high that Kerry will appear to be a total failure in the aftermath.

[hinckley buzzard]

So basically what you're saying is that the President will make Kerry look foolish. I LIKE IT!!


Well, sure. Kerry has no option but to attack, and his attacks are getting progressively more picayune. GW has only to stand back, Kerry will make himself look foolish.
I understand he did this in Texas with Ann Richards mocking him and insulting him, and ending up in private life after the election.

[cmotormac44]

Just saw the History Channel 2 hr piece about the War of 1812---interesting note that some of New England states pushed for secession during that period since they were greedy and cared more about money than the country---seems to me there were 'traitors' and Rats back then as well as today--'-more things change , more they stay the same'

[maro]

I've seen old George on TV in recent years. He's a likeable human being, sort of avuncular, probably would be a great neighbor. I also bet that George puts his money where his mouth is, and gives freely to his favorite charities. A good man who espoused the wrong politics.

[teletech]

I think by the time the debates roll around, Kerry is going to be so upset that none of the mud slinging worked, that he is going to bring up the vietnam crap again, and Bush is going to take the high road. Methinks he is going to pull another AlGore in your face that will turn off the voters even more against this turd.

When have we seen the polls go up with Kerry out there in front of people. For all those who think Kerry is going to cream Bush in the debates, they might want to think about Gore and Ann Richards.

The President will take the high road and everytime Kerry unleashes a vicious attack, as I know he will, Dubya will just give Kerry that famous Dubya stare. You know, the one that says I've got you by the cajones.

I want to see a full Kerry meltdown during the debate. I'm talkin' rope-a-dope straight jsacket time meltdown.

[DaveMSmith]

This has really got to hurt. They live and breathe by polls.

[HardStarboard]

John Edwards looks like he ought to be the State Farm agent in one of their ads.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

There is plenty of sentiment out there.... or shall we say, conventional wisdom, to the effect that it's not in Hillary's best Presidential-aspirations-interest for Kerry to win in 2004.

(PS - read your profile - a belated welcome to FR and thanks for speaking up and posting on the forum! We wish you all the success in your Kuwait venture!)

[teletech]

Well, sure. Kerry has no option but to attack, and his attacks are getting progressively more picayune. GW has only to stand back, Kerry will make himself look foolish. I understand he did this in Texas with Ann Richards mocking him and insulting him, and ending up in private life after the election.

The President will take the high road in the debates and when Kerry launches into one of his vicious attacks, Dubya will give him that famous Dubya stare. The stare that says I've got you by the cajones.

Kerry will meltdown in the debates. I want a meltdown so severe it will be straight jacket time for Kerry.

[meatloaf]

Bush will get another bounce from the debates. I'd look for a Kerry "Dean" moment when his poll numbers drop afterwards. Kerry is a person who really believes the whole world looks up to him except for those who are too stupid to understand what he's saying.

His real problem is the majority does understand what he's been saying. When he understands the magnitude of his rejection, he's going to blow.

[RayChuang88]

I want to see a full Kerry meltdown during the debate. I'm talkin' rope-a-dope straight jsacket time meltdown.

That's if we even make it THAT far. Senator Kerry is literally on the edge of a "Howard Dean moment" within the next week or so at the rate things are going.

[hinckley buzzard]

." I want a meltdown so severe it will be straight jacket time for Kerry."

That would be sweet. He's too well defended to fall apart in public but I can easily foresee a painful, well deserved decline into the shadowlands bordering insanity, a' la Algore.

[teletech]

Bush will get another bounce from the debates. I'd look for a Kerry "Dean" moment when his poll numbers drop afterwards. Kerry is a person who really believes the whole world looks up to him except for those who are too stupid to understand what he's saying.

His real problem is the majority does understand what he's been saying. When he understands the magnitude of his rejection, he's going to blow.

Kerry is so arrogant and used to having it HIS way, he is apt to lose it in the debates. I will TIVO the debates and play them over and over and.....

[teletech]

That would be sweet. He's too well defended to fall apart in public but I can easily foresee a painful, well deserved decline into the shadowlands bordering insanity, a' la Algore.

That would be fine. Reduced to a quivering mass of jello (eventually).

[teletech]

That's if we even make it THAT far. Senator Kerry is literally on the edge of a "Howard Dean moment" within the next week or so at the rate things are going.

You mean Howard taught Kerry "the scream"? Sounds wonderful, I can't wait.

[swilhelm73]

Hmm, Kerry's at 36% among registered voters...

Ok...well what about likely voters? Generally speaking likely voters trend more Rep then registered voters who trend more Rep then just adults.

[bt_dooftlook]

From "The Philadelphia Story" - "To hardly know him is to know him well"

[jps098]

You mean like KQQL.

[MHT]

Other than the battleground states' electoral projections, the only set of numbers we should be watching right now are the jobs numbers for October.

Interest rates will continue to be low (looks like Greenspan is going to give W. the rates he didn't give his father in '92), the market is poised to stay above 10,000 (no serious movement down and it seems to go up with each new pro-Bush poll), and, God willing, the Iraq war fatality numbers will stay lower than 3.5 day [hopefully less than 200 between now and the election] (which is the general US death rate for a population of 150,000 in that age group).

[JasonC]

Correct diagnosis. Few people knew him nationally before this year. Only news junkies knew his protestor record before the last month or so. The Dems carefully hid who he is, but naturally it came out. The American people can respect principled doves and even pacifists, but attacking veterans as war criminals is simply beyond the pale to mainstream America. Only the far left likes that sort of thing.

[Vision Thing]

He's Marianas Trench material.

That's a deep thought! :-)

[LS]

That's their strat, but the "mud" they are slinging is the wrong mud. It's "vietnam" mud, which means that ANY TIME you raise the Vietnam issue---even indirectly by attacking BUSH'S Vietnam service---it hurts Kerry. So let 'em go, by all means.