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Poll: Bush Blamed More Than Clinton for Failure to Capture Bin Laden
GALLUP NEWS SERVICE ^ | September 27, 2006 | Lydia Saad

Posted on 09/27/2006 8:49:33 AM PDT by lowbridge

The recent firestorm over former President Bill Clinton's culpability for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was fueled on Tuesday when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice contrasted President Bush's efforts to pursue al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden with Clinton's efforts. Clinton has strongly denied various suggestions that his administration missed key opportunities to kill bin Laden and left the Bush administration without a comprehensive anti-terrorism strategy. However, Bush -- whom Clinton says did nothing about al-Qaeda for the first eight months of his presidency -- has the bigger image problem with Americans on the issue.

According to a recent Gallup Panel survey, the American public puts the primary blame on Bush rather than Clinton for the fact that bin Laden has not been captured. A majority of Americans say Bush is more to blame (53%), compared with 36% blaming Clinton.

Clinton's reputation in this matter is far from unblemished, however. A separate question in the Sept. 21-24 survey measures the degree to which each president is blamed for the failure to capture or kill bin Laden. Forty-two percent of Americans believe Clinton deserves either a great deal or a fair amount of blame, while only 32% say he deserves no blame. However, a larger number, 53%, assign a great deal or fair amount of blame to Bush for failing to track down bin Laden.

-snip

Republicans and Democrats are largely divided into opposing camps on the question of who is more to blame for bin Laden's ability to evade capture: 71% of Republicans say Clinton is more to blame while 83% of Democrats hold Bush more responsible.

(Excerpt) Read more at galluppoll.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: binladen; binladendeathwatch; bush; gallup; huntforobl; obl; osamabinladen; poll; pushpoll; wot; zogbyism

1 posted on 09/27/2006 8:49:34 AM PDT by lowbridge
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To: lowbridge

Gay polls for an emasculated country.


2 posted on 09/27/2006 8:51:35 AM PDT by zarf
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To: lowbridge

Who did they poll? Union members and the ACLU? Im fairly certain this poll is skewed..


3 posted on 09/27/2006 8:52:12 AM PDT by cardinal4 (Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi..)
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To: zarf

Why is this poll suprising? Most Americans never heard of UBL before 9/11.


4 posted on 09/27/2006 8:52:25 AM PDT by Steel Wolf (As Ibn Warraq said, "There are moderate Muslims but there is no moderate Islam.")
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To: lowbridge

gallup, eh? don't trust 'em. my guess is they don't want us using Clinton's culpability becasue it hurts the dems too much.


5 posted on 09/27/2006 8:52:54 AM PDT by camle (keep your mind open and somebody will fill it full of something for you)
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To: lowbridge

poppycock


6 posted on 09/27/2006 8:52:59 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF 69-73...."never store a threat you should have eliminated")
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To: zarf

The Poll asks the wrong question. They ask a question that gets the result they want. A better question would be who has or is doing more to combat Islamo Fascism, George Bush or Bill Clinton?


7 posted on 09/27/2006 8:53:09 AM PDT by Patrick1
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To: lowbridge

Given they didn't even know his name during Clinton's 'administration', this isn't surprising.

More push-polling. Getting more and more difficult to summon the interest to care when so many people appear so dead-set on being overtaken by events.


8 posted on 09/27/2006 8:54:01 AM PDT by BelegStrongbow (www.stjosephssanford.org: Ecce Pactum, id cape aut id relinque)
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To: lowbridge

I'm thinking of the little girl with the Southern accent on the Shake and Bake commercials "And I helped". This is the position of the MSM with President Bush's image problem.


9 posted on 09/27/2006 8:54:07 AM PDT by printhead
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To: lowbridge

It is only by Divine intervention that Americans have not totally screwed up this country. Tens of millions of absolute idiots are hard to overcome.


10 posted on 09/27/2006 8:54:19 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (If you believe ANYTHING in the Treason Media you are a fool.)
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To: lowbridge

Sheesh....it looks like part of the strategy of the Dems is to get into a neener neener neener match....about something in the past. Typical loonies. I think they they think this is the ONLY thing they can bank on for the upcoming elections.


11 posted on 09/27/2006 8:54:45 AM PDT by goodnesswins (I think the real problem is islamo-bombia! (Rummyfan))
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To: lowbridge

Did anyone ever think to blame UBL for not being captured?......


12 posted on 09/27/2006 8:55:19 AM PDT by Red Badger (Is Castro DEAD YET?........)
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To: printhead

That "little girl" is now a middle aged grandmother.......


13 posted on 09/27/2006 8:56:07 AM PDT by Red Badger (Is Castro DEAD YET?........)
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To: lowbridge
Most polls are as corrupt as they can be. Just another RAT way of making them feel good. But what hurts most is the public are so confused they could not make an intelligent answer. The biggest enemy of our land is the MSM.
14 posted on 09/27/2006 8:57:14 AM PDT by Logical me (Oh, well!!!)
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To: lowbridge

Why are AP and Reuters not investigated as monopolies?
There are no other widely based news services in the US.
There should be inquiries into the effects of these two agencies on the public good.
Microsoft is a pussycat compared to these companies.


15 posted on 09/27/2006 8:57:16 AM PDT by BillM
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To: All

How long did it take for us to capture the Unabomber, Ted Bundy, The BTK killer, etc.?


16 posted on 09/27/2006 8:57:25 AM PDT by lowbridge (I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming, like his passengers.)
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To: cardinal4

I bet 42% is a lot higher than it would of been had he kept his mouth shut. He started everyone looking, and talking about his record.


17 posted on 09/27/2006 8:59:20 AM PDT by kara37
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To: lowbridge
Chicago WLS poll

Who won the Bill Clinton vs. Chris Wallace exchange?

61% Wallace. He set off Clinton and the ratings for his show.

24% Clinton. He made Wallace look like a yellow journalist.

15% Nobody. All the finger pointing just hurts our country.
18 posted on 09/27/2006 9:01:22 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto")
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To: zarf
Gay polls for an emasculated country.

Unfortunate bump.

19 posted on 09/27/2006 9:02:54 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: Patrick1

Bill Clinton was offered OBL. Now we can debate whether it would've been prudent policy then but he DID have OBL and didn't take him.

The poll also cites the "fact" that OBL is not dead (and they call it a fact). While it is likely, given new tapes, he does not use videos anymore.


20 posted on 09/27/2006 9:04:33 AM PDT by weegee (Remember "Remember the Maine"? Well in the current war "Remember the Baby Milk Factory")
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran

The real example of Yellow Journalism was the Hezbollah ra-raing of Reuters, AP, etc. during the military exchange with Israel in Lebanon.


21 posted on 09/27/2006 9:06:01 AM PDT by weegee (Remember "Remember the Maine"? Well in the current war "Remember the Baby Milk Factory")
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To: lowbridge
The MSM is still covering up for the Clinton failures - it will be a bumpy ride with the Clinton Attack Media at their beck and call.

Refute; refute; refute! President Bush knows his history and is doing all he can. The economy here is fat, helped by the price of oil and tax cuts. With the 'unaccepted war' for some, going on, this President is carrying a load that is unprecedented since FDR. President Bush's initiatives from social security to illegal immigration have been misrepresented by the MSM and the left. You have to go back and read what the man said to know what he said and it is always enlightening….Bush is right and he does not want amnesty….guest card workers do not make a citizen or give them amnesty. These are mostly seasonal workers who come and leave. Swim through the propaganda if you can and find the truth. Hillary and Bill are up to their old tricks with the usual apologists rallying to their call.......stop the divisive rhetoric and rally around President Bush.

22 posted on 09/27/2006 9:06:32 AM PDT by yoe
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To: Logical me

Manufactured news, and as worthless as someone else's chewed food.


23 posted on 09/27/2006 9:07:10 AM PDT by weegee (Remember "Remember the Maine"? Well in the current war "Remember the Baby Milk Factory")
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To: camle

Relax, this is only the start.........the Dims are going to have a whole sh*tload of polls out showing that everyone under the sun blames Bush for OBL......can't have ol BJBilly looking bad now can we?


24 posted on 09/27/2006 9:08:54 AM PDT by newcthem (Brought to you by the INFIDEL PARTY)
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To: lowbridge

President Bush has a track record of vigorously opposing terrorism and bringing the fight to terrorists worldwide. Catching Osama bin Laden is not make-or-break to President Bush's reputation.

Former President Clinton, on the other hand, has a supposed legacy that is built like a house of cards. If it is implied that he was playing politics with the capture of Osama bin Laden, most folks will be inclined to believe it, since Bill Clinton plays politics with everything.

I tell my young daughter that her reputation is very important, because if you earn a good reputation, people will be inclined to believe the best about you. On the other hand, if you develop a bad reputation, it takes an awful lot of good work before you will be recognized.

President Bush has earned his good reputation as a strong and forthright leader in the War on Terror. Bill Clinton, on the other hand, is Bill Clinton. We all know about Bill Clinton, don't we?


25 posted on 09/27/2006 9:18:14 AM PDT by gridlock (The 'Pubbies will pick up at least TWO seats in the Senate and FOUR seats in the House in 2006)
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To: lowbridge

Isn't this the correct answer? It isn't about 9/11. Bush has been in office 6 years, including 5 after 9/11. So if you want to "blame" someone for Bin Laden not being caught, wouldn't you blame Bush, who has not caught him in the last 6 years, instead of Clinton, who had 8 years but wasn't really looking for him the first couple of years?

I suppose if you properly educated the world, they would equally blame them, or say there is no blame, but most people just know that Bush has been trying to get Bin Laden since 9/11 and has failed.


26 posted on 09/27/2006 9:18:27 AM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: newcthem

too bad for gallup that the opinion of 1000 adults doesn't decide the election no matter how many times they try and influence it.


27 posted on 09/27/2006 9:20:16 AM PDT by edzo4
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To: lowbridge

This is a no brainier. They tried to hand him over to the bent one and he refused. Can't say the same about Bush. Issue closed. Clintoon and the dims are to blame.


28 posted on 09/27/2006 9:22:17 AM PDT by True Grit
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To: lowbridge

It is GWB's fault that Bin Laden hasn't been caught. That can be said without debate. The other side of the coin is it is entirely WJC's fault that Bin Laden is still breathing. Bill had several opportunities to make crates and dust out of Bin Laden. There was also a declined offer for turning him over to our custody.

He should have been dust prior to 9/11.


29 posted on 09/27/2006 9:22:53 AM PDT by zek157
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To: lowbridge

Why would this surprise anyone? In their collective wisdom, the American people elected Clinton president. Twice. In the long run, the popular will pushes things in the right direction. Maybe.


30 posted on 09/27/2006 9:42:26 AM PDT by Zhang Fei
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To: lowbridge

Why would this surprise anyone? In their collective wisdom, the American people elected Clinton president. Twice. In the long run, the popular will push things in the right direction. Maybe.


31 posted on 09/27/2006 9:42:39 AM PDT by Zhang Fei
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To: lowbridge
What sound did Monica make when servicing Clinton?

Gallup!

32 posted on 09/27/2006 9:46:27 AM PDT by N. Theknow ((Kennedys - Can't drive, can't fly, can't ski, can't skipper a boat - But they know what's best.))
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To: lowbridge

I would love to see point-by-point responses to the dem accusations on Bush vs Clinton actions.

E.g., Clinton had multiple opportunities to get OBL, could someone list these?

And Shrillary's pronouncement yesterday that had Bill been given a warning that OBL was going to attack us, he would have gone into immediate action. As I under Clinton did have such warning and DIDN'T act.

The dems have offered up other lies and I would like to see refutation

There have been close attempts on the pages but they come off as hard to follow.


33 posted on 09/27/2006 9:54:07 AM PDT by lawdude (Bill Clinton is a virus and should be treated as such.)
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To: lowbridge
Americans have been fed so many lies its become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

34 posted on 09/27/2006 9:57:46 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: zek157

"It is GWB's fault that Bin Laden hasn't been caught. That can be said without debate. The other side of the coin is it is entirely WJC's fault that Bin Laden is still breathing. Bill had several opportunities to make crates and dust out of Bin Laden. There was also a declined offer for turning him over to our custody. "

That OBL has not been taken out is true. BUT, President Bush has not had the wide open opportunities that were offered to the almighty klinton. The fault, the only fault, lies with klinton.


35 posted on 09/27/2006 10:09:19 AM PDT by lawdude (Bill Clinton is a virus and should be treated as such.)
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To: lawdude
The whole thing is utterly stupid. The whole great military of ours are actively looking, as well as Great Britain, NATO, Australia, Poland, and the rest of our allies. WE never killed Hitler, either, but we sure left a lot of dead German Nazis piled up over Europe.

The guy is on the run, and constantly has to stay one step ahead of the posse. There's what, a $50 million reward for him? The other Islamicfacists are hiding him. Someone soon is gonna need the money. In any case, catching him won't stop terrorism. Still, I'd love to see it! But if you can't tell the difference between what Clinton didn't do, vice what Bush has DONE, there's no point in even arguing.
36 posted on 09/27/2006 10:26:53 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: lowbridge

It is push polling folks.

Look at the question here ' for the fact that bin Laden has not been captured.'


If the question had been 'Who missed so many chances on taking down Bin laden' , the answer would be different.

Again this is a rat poll, where Dem voters hide behind the independent label, a useless poll.


37 posted on 09/27/2006 12:44:30 PM PDT by GregH
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To: Patrick1
Exactly. They asked one of the few questions where Bubba might show better than Dubya on the security/GWOT issue.
38 posted on 09/27/2006 12:46:18 PM PDT by colorado tanker
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To: lowbridge
MSM credo: When we want your opinion we'll give it to you.
39 posted on 09/27/2006 12:48:56 PM PDT by Zon (Honesty outlives the lie, spin and deception -- It always has -- It always will.)
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To: lowbridge

Poll: Gallup Is Full Of Crap


40 posted on 09/27/2006 12:49:13 PM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
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To: lowbridge

All which goes to show that there are more horse's asses than there are horses.


41 posted on 09/27/2006 12:50:14 PM PDT by toddlintown (Six bullets and Lennon goes down. Yet not one hit Yoko. Discuss.)
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