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27% Say Cheney Hunting Accident Raises Serious Questions (Rasmussen)
Rasmussenreports.com ^ | 2/16/06 | Rasmussen Reports

Posted on 02/16/2006 9:21:47 PM PST by conservative in nyc

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Americans believe that the recent hunting accident involving Dick Cheney raises serious questions about his ability to serve as Vice President. Twice as many, 57%, say it was "just one of those very embarrassing things that happens to all of us."

The survey was conducted Tuesday and Wednesday night. Cheney spoke publicly about the incident for the first time on Wednesday. Sixty-six percent (66%) of Americans say they have been following news about this story somewhat or very closely.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Vice President while 41% have an unfavorable view.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) say the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Fifty-two percent (52%) disagree.

As you would expect, the poll finds significant partisan differences on questions about Cheney's accidental shooting of a friend while on a hunting trip. Republicans overwhelming say it does not raise questions about the ability of the Vice President to serve. By a 2-to-1 margin, those not affiliated with either party share the Republican view.

However, Democrats are divided. Nearly half, 46%, say the hunting incident raises serious questions. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Harry Reid's party say it is just one of those very embarrassing things that happens to all of us.

Rasmussen Reports is an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information.

Rasmussen Reports was the nation's most accurate polling firm during the Presidential election and the only one to project both Bush and Kerry's vote total within half a percentage point of the actual outcome.

During Election 2004, RasmussenReports.com was also the top-ranked public opinion research site on the web. We had twice as many visitors as our nearest competitor and nearly as many as all competitors combined.

Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports, has been an independent pollster for more than a decade.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; birdgate; cheney; harrywhittington; rasmussen; vicepresidentcheney
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To: conservative in nyc
Firearm safety isn't a niceity, it's a necessity.
Semper Fi

Ten Commandments of Shooting Safety (Revised October 8, 2003)

1. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Do not point a firearm or bow at anything you do not intend to shoot. Control the direction of the muzzle at all times. Never rest a muzzle on your toe or foot. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until the instant you are ready to fire. Always keep the safety on until ready to fire; however, the safety should never be a substitute for safe firearm handling.

2. Trust every firearm or bow with the same respect you would show a loaded gun or nocked arrow. Every time you pick up a firearm, the first thing you do is check to see if it is loaded. Be sure the chamber and magazine are empty and that the action is open until ready to be fired. If you do not understand how to determine if it is loaded, do not accept the firearm until someone has safely shown you that it is unloaded. Read your instruction manual carefully before you handle new firearms or bows. .

3. Be sure of your target and what is in front of and beyond your target. Before you pull the trigger you must properly identify game animals. Until your target is fully visible and in good light, do not even raise your scope to see it. Use binoculars! Know what is in front of and behind your target. Determine that you have a safe backstop or background. Since you do not know what is on the other side, never take a shot at any animals on top of ridges or hillsides. Know how far bullets, arrows and pellets can travel. Never shoot at flat, hard surfaces, such as water, rocks or steel because of ricochets..

4. Unload firearms and unstring conventional bows when not in use. Leave actions open, and store sporting arms in cases when traveling toand from shooting areas. Take bolts out or break down shotguns if necessary. Know how your equipment operates. Store and transport firearms and ammunition separately and under lock and key. Store firearms and bows in cool, dry places. Use gun or trigger locks and guards when not in use..

5. Handle the firearms, arrows and ammunition carefully. Avoid horseplay with firearms. Never climb a fence, a tree or a ladder with a loaded firearm or bow and arrows. Never jump a ditch or cross difficult terrain with a loaded firearm or nocked arrow. Never face or look down the barrel from the muzzle end. Be sure the only ammunition you carry correctly matches the gauge or caliber you are shooting. Always carry arrows in a protected cover or quiver. Learn the proper carries. Try to use the two-hand carry whenever possible because it affords you the best muzzle control. Always carry handguns with hammers over an empty chamber or cylinder. If you fall, be sure to disassemble the gun and check the barrel from the breech end for obstructions. Carry a field cleaning kit. .

6. Know your safe zone-of-fire and stick to it. Your safe zone-of-fire is that area or direction in which you can safely fire a shot. It is "down range" at a shooting facility. In the field it is that mental image you draw in your mind with every step you take. Be sure you know where your companions are at all times. Never swing your gun or bow out of your safe zone-of-fire. Know the safe carries when there are persons to your sides, in front of, or behind you. If in doubt, never take a shot. When hunting, wear daylight fluorescent orange so you can be seen from a distance or in heavy cover. .

7. Control your emotions when it comes to safety. If you lose control of your emotions you may do something carelessly. If you have just shot a target or animal you probably will be excited. At that moment you may turn with a loaded firearm back towards your friends or you might run with a loaded firearm towards a downed animal with the gun safety off. You or someone else may be in danger once you lose control of your emotions. Show discipline. Rehearse in your mind what the safe actions will be. Do not allow your daydreams to prelace good judment. Show restraint and pass up shots which have the slightest chance of being unsafe..

8. Wear hearing and eye protection. While shooting at the range, you must wear hearing and eye protection at all times. Firearms are loud and can create noises which are damaging to a person's hearing. It can be a gradual loss of hearing due to outbursts of noise over many years. The damage could also be immediate, especially if your ears are next to a muzzle blast. Vibrations from the blast are enough to create loss of hearing. Wear glasses to protect your eyes from escaping gases, burnt powder (especially in blackpowder shooting), and other debris. .

9. Don't drink alcohol or take drugs before or while handling firearms or bow and arrows. Alcohol and drugs impair normal physical and mental body functions and mustn't be used before or while handling firearms or archery equipment. These substances affect emotions, making it easier to lose control.

10. Be aware of additional circumstances which require added caution or safety awareness. Just because something isn't listed under these "ten commandments of shooting safety" doesn't mean you can ignore it if it is dangerous. There may be rules such as in muzzleloading or archery or posted at a shooting range which should also be followed. Also, practice reloading safety by following and reading all specific instructions. Practice all commandments of shooting safety. Ensure a safe future for you, others and the shooting sports!.

21 posted on 02/16/2006 9:51:03 PM PST by river rat (You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: conservative in nyc
Cheney's an underachiever in terms of Vice-Presidential use of firearms: he only winged Mr. Whittington.

Vice President Burr *killed* Alexander Hamilton.

22 posted on 02/16/2006 9:52:53 PM PST by George Smiley (This tagline deliberately targeted journalists.)
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To: demlosers

27% - Moonbat segment.


23 posted on 02/16/2006 9:53:28 PM PST by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: ncountylee

Did you see "Today's Bumper Sticker" on Don Luskin's blog?

I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than ride in a car with Ted Kennedy.


24 posted on 02/16/2006 10:05:57 PM PST by vvpete
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To: Spanaway Lori
Woohoo! Howdy there! Colder than a well-digger's buttocks out here at the moment but not as cold, say, as Hillary's heart.

27%. Man, when the MSM's little hate campaign has lost 73% of the country they'd better think again about their ability to manipulate public opinion. That's not just out of touch, that's living on an entirely different planet.

25 posted on 02/16/2006 10:13:39 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: Billthedrill

How do you think they got so out of touch? LMAO


26 posted on 02/16/2006 10:19:21 PM PST by Just Lori (Trying to reason with a liberal is like sucking spaghetti through a straw)
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To: conservative in nyc

Cheney's favorable number is not good, I believe Rasmussen has Bush at 48% favorable. so much for this idea, this hunting incident aside, of Cheney allowing the press to marginalize him and define him for literally years now, without him rebutting it. that's how you get to a 36% favorable number.


27 posted on 02/16/2006 10:24:03 PM PST by oceanview
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To: conservative in nyc

I might have to change my tagline from 10% to 27%.


28 posted on 02/16/2006 10:24:22 PM PST by jiggyboy (Ten percent of poll respondents are either lying or insane)
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To: highlander_UW

Right you are.

I'm honestly disturbed that more than 5% of the nation takes this belief. I'm just going to come out and say that this 27% is mentally deranged and probably in need of counseling. Accidents happen.

How can 1/4 of our nation be so completely foolish as to think that a hunting accident in anyway reflects one's leadership abilities?

But if they are going to use this against Cheney, I guess they have to quit declaring his cronyism practices. You don't shoot rich, old white cronies, do you!!??? ha!


29 posted on 02/16/2006 10:25:44 PM PST by CheyennePress
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To: conservative in nyc

This is a nothing story going nowhere. But I must admit it is hilarious to hear the ranting conspiracy theories of those like O'Donnell and Olbermann...terminally ill with Hate Bush/Cheney Disease,whose main symptom is terminal foot in mouth syndrome.


30 posted on 02/16/2006 10:28:57 PM PST by Cincinna (The ARKANSAS GRIFTERS want to take over your country. STOP THEM NOW!)
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To: oceanview
Cheney's favorable number is not good, I believe Rasmussen has Bush at 48% favorable. so much for this idea, this hunting incident aside, of Cheney allowing the press to marginalize him and define him for literally years now, without him rebutting it. that's how you get to a 36% favorable number

Actually, Vice President Cheney's favorable numbers haven't been good, even during the 2004 elections. Rasmussen usually doesn't poll this, AFAIK. But in July 2004, Rasmussen reported Cheney's favorable numbers were only 40% (vs. 45% unfavorable). Cheney's current numbers probably aren't even statistically different (i.e. are within the MOE).

A mid-January Gallup poll had Cheney's favorables at 41% (vs. 47% unfavorable).
31 posted on 02/16/2006 10:36:34 PM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: Spanaway Lori
How do you think they got so out of touch?

Too much mirror-gazing is my guess.

32 posted on 02/16/2006 10:40:57 PM PST by Billthedrill
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To: Steely Tom

I know exactly what you are trying to say, but the political opposition would find something else to rag on him about and the presstitutes (I love that word) would still hyperventilate and rant and rave, no matter what it was.


33 posted on 02/16/2006 10:42:43 PM PST by Theresawithanh (Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.)
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To: ncountylee

About 6% of that are here on FR!


34 posted on 02/16/2006 10:43:42 PM PST by roses of sharon ("I would rather men ask why I have no statue, than why I have one". ) (Cato the Elder)
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To: Razz Barry
Perhaps they could go rabbit hunting in a canoe?

;^)

35 posted on 02/16/2006 11:08:05 PM PST by SAJ
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To: Razz Barry

Watch out Jimmy! That crazy rabbit is still out there.


36 posted on 02/16/2006 11:13:12 PM PST by hdstmf (too)
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To: conservative in nyc

The headline should have been 73% of Americans satisfied with Cheney.


37 posted on 02/16/2006 11:14:52 PM PST by TheLion
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To: aquila48

The article just had to lead with the 27% negatives while minimizing the 57% positives. Sneaky SOBBBBBs.


38 posted on 02/16/2006 11:17:27 PM PST by hdstmf (too)
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To: TheLion
The headline should have been 73% of Americans satisfied with Cheney.

That wouldn't be accurate. 57% agreed with the statement the shooting was "just one of those very embarrassing things that happens to all of us." I guess the rest (16%) had no opinion or agreed with some other statement. I don't have access to the cross-tabs.
39 posted on 02/16/2006 11:18:29 PM PST by conservative in nyc
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To: hdstmf
The article just had to lead with the 27% negatives while minimizing the 57% positives. Sneaky SOBBBBBs.

This is from Rasmussen directly. I don't think he has an agenda, other than to poll the question. Rasmussen isn't Zogby.
40 posted on 02/16/2006 11:20:02 PM PST by conservative in nyc
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