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Belief in Bush: Bush's rating not just wartime bounce
USA Today ^ | May 2, 2002 | Richard Benedetto

Posted on 05/02/2002 4:41:35 PM PDT by DrDeb

Edited on 04/13/2004 1:39:33 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

There is more to President Bush's relatively high approval ratings than just the patriotic, rally-round-the-flag effect of his leadership in the war on terrorism, a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll suggests.

Built on the faith Americans showed in him following his response to terror attacks on Sept. 11, the poll shows that almost eight months later Bush has developed an image among most Americans as a strong, competent, leader who shares their values and has elevated respect for presidency.


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


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: jobapprovalratings; presidentbush
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To: ex-snook
If Bush decides to fight off the gang-bangers, his approval rating will suffer but America and conservatism will benefit.

Ex, not reopen old wounds, but tell me something: how do you square this acknowledgment that hardcore conservatism isn't all that popular with your insane, drone-like insistence years ago that the key to GOP victory was nominating Buchanan, that Buchanan could win as a 3rd party candidate, that Buchanan reflected widely held views, ... well, you know the routine. Really, I'm curious.

41 posted on 05/02/2002 6:13:41 PM PDT by winin2000
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To: DrDeb
Welcome and thanks for this nice thread.

I'm getting ready to close up for the day/evening, and this is a nice thread to finish with.

Our DIL is a new Bush Lady since 9/11. She stopped listening to Rush and Sean whine about GW about 2 weeks ago. Sean and Rush were new for her. She has a 3 year old and a 1 year old. She wants them to grow up to be good and happy Americans. Her best friends and neighbors for the most part made the transition with her to being GW backers.

We have a Jewish American friend, who has in the past 6 weeks become a firm GW backer. She spent a year in Israel after college and still has friends there. Like a lot of Jewish Americans who have been dems the last decade or so, she is now backing GW. Besides her friends in Israel, she has two teenagers, that she wants to survive and become productive Americans. This is a tremendous change.

Thanks again for find and posting this excellent thread!

42 posted on 05/02/2002 6:14:47 PM PDT by Grampa Dave
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To: FastCoyote; anniegetyourgun
The dissing is because he doesn't use MORE of his talents, not less. I think Bush is MISSING opportunities (he didn't have to do steel or CFR).

And don't forget his signing of the Airport Security bill that added another 30,000 government employees - the SAME people who were checking baggage at airports are now getting over twice their previous salary.

And don't forget his support for the massive increase in "education spending".

And now we hear that he's probably going to sign the BLOATED farm bill.

Let me ask a serious question. Other than the tax cuts, his performance in the war on terror and his naming of some decent people to his administration, how many other issues has he signed on to that most conservatives consider anathema?

Is that all worth it just to get re-elected? I have serious concerns.

43 posted on 05/02/2002 6:17:29 PM PDT by jackbill
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To: DrDeb
I will trust and respect a leader of honorable sterling character. In the case of ex-#42 he had not earned trust and respect based on his serial lies, his prideful admission that he abhorred our military and that the Constitution, and the Rule of Law was something he found obstructed his arrogant thirst for ultimate unbridled power.
44 posted on 05/02/2002 6:20:25 PM PDT by harpo11
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To: kayak
the Dems stand a good chance of taking a larger lead in the Senate and perhaps picking up a few seats in the House. We have GOT to see that this does not happen.

I believe that GW's coatails can be longer than the polls reflect - BUT, will he campaign, and campaign HARD, for his fellow Republican candidates?

45 posted on 05/02/2002 6:21:14 PM PDT by Enlightiator
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To: DrDeb
Notice they quote the DNC but not the RNC.
46 posted on 05/02/2002 6:21:57 PM PDT by Bob J
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To: rwfromkansas
I'm always baffled by polls showing that voters "trust" Democrats more on one issue or another. Why in the name of God would anyone trust anybody who hasn't told the truth in 20 years? For crying out loud, this is the party that gave us the concept that perjury wasn't an impeachable offense, and the phrase "That depends on what the meaning of 'is' is." If Democratic voters actually trust these lying sleazebags, they must be like battered wives in dysfunctional marriages who just keep crawling back for more abuse in the delusional belief that "this time, he's really changed!"
47 posted on 05/02/2002 6:39:38 PM PDT by HHFi
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To: McLynnan
Beautiful! Our President's honor and goodness shine through. In less than a year he has gained the trust of the majority of Americans with his unassuming dignity and unabashed patriotism. I trust his motives -- I won't sully this thread with the name of the unmentionable one, but I find it so reassuring that we no longer have to look for the hidden agenda in everything our President says and does

You stated it far better than I could have - thank you. After those terrible eight years, we have been delivered from the wilderness, and we can again be proud of our President and First Lady. All you have to look at are the faces of our brave men and women in uniform who are so honored to have this fine man as their Commander-in-Chief, and then look at the delightful pictures of him and his (and our) First Lady with children - not "the chillern" who were only being used for cheap photo-ops from 1993-2001.

48 posted on 05/02/2002 6:39:59 PM PDT by Inspectorette
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To: My2Cents
He wishes!...Actually, Republicans, and the White House in particular, are ahead of the Demogogues on a bunch of domestic issues -- at least those that most people give priority to: tax cuts, education, even Social Security reform. The Dems are left with nothing to offer but their tired old hatred and race-baiting. I'm reading LINCOLN'S VIRTUES by William Lee Miller, and he wrote at one point, "moralistic older Whigs objected to the Jacksonians [i.e., the Democrats]...making unabashed appeals to class and region..." Some things never change, and the Democrats have been the party of divisiveness and emotional appeals since Old Hickory.

I think you're right. The pendulum swings and the party's stances on issues adjusts to where the pendulum is at each moment. The Republicans have always been the common sense party when the pendulum swings too wide. The Democrats have always been the unvirtuous party taking advantage of the victims of the pendulum when it's at it's widest points, and usually, like you said, in a divisive and even deceitful way. From blacks being victims of Democrats in the mid 1800s to the productive class being victims of Democrats today, The Democratic Party hasn't changed much from when they supported the private ownership of people based on the circumstances of their birth alone.

49 posted on 05/02/2002 6:40:05 PM PDT by #3Fan
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To: reaganite
"When I saw a young black man on CNN saying "he is my heart" ----- OH, MY! I didn't see/hear that acomment!! Now you have me in tears! President Bush is, indeed, America's heart! What a wonderful thing for that man to say and for others to hear. I am "hearing" this now - thanks to you - and to Free Republic! Thanks!
50 posted on 05/02/2002 6:40:41 PM PDT by Freedom'sWorthIt
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To: Diddle E. Squat
In talking to friends leaning towards supporting Dems in other races, try to get them to expain why.

Good idea!

51 posted on 05/02/2002 6:47:26 PM PDT by Salvation
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To: DrDeb
COMMENT: Two thumbs up for President Bush. His 77% approval rating represents an INCREASE over his two most recent Gallup ratings, debunking claims by politically motivated critics that his popularity has decreased recently. NOTE: Gallup also discovered that the president's FAVORABILITY ratings -- at 79% -- are even higher than his approval ratings

Well I've got to share my Bush story because even today, 24 hours later, it makes me smile.

I've got a friend, very dear man I've worked with for these past 5 years. He's an orthodox Jew while I am very much a Gentile. Since the first time we've worked together, we talked about everything, especially politics.

He is very liberal and had supported all things Democratic. I used to lament this stance as he was a very honorable man and I lamented endlessly why Jews, who should be Republicans in terms of economics and brains, were always Democrats. Sam would explain to me that Jews had a general wariness of anyone associated with any extreme in terms of religion, which would include right wing Christians. It was Christians, he explained to me, who sent millions of Jews to gas chambers.

Now I understood this and it was a perspective I hadn't considered. Still, I always felt that this batch of Dems today would sell him and his children down the river in a minute while that "far right" he mistrusted would be the ones to do the moral thing.

We always had the sort of relationship where we would tease each other on all things political. He made fun of Newt Gingrich et al and I gave him what for every day of my life over the lovely and moral Clinton. In fact, after the last election, he would poke fun at Bush, hinting that he was a mental lightweight and didn't even win the election.

Sam has three children now living in Israel. He's always been a fan of Israel, viewing it as seat of his cultural heritage. He used to spend many minutes explaining all things Israel to me; this before liking Israel was cool.

We both learned from each other is what I'm saying here, and it was a friendly political difference but no one's mind was ever completely closed. He and I both were political junkees of a sort.

Of late he'd taken to emailing me articles about Israel, all to make sure I was properly provided the truth. I don't see him every day but we do see each other on occasion.

I hadn't seen him in these past four months. Each and every day I would fume. I was right! Those far-right Christians Sam mistrusted were the very ones defending Israel. I couldn't wait until I had a chance to storm Sam's office with my facts.

Which I did yesterday.

I marched right in there and stood tall over his desk.

"Sam, everyday your hero Bibi Netanyahu is on TV and guess whose show he is on? Rush Limbaugh! Sean Hannity! Fox news!" I told him, hands on hips. And of course I had to mention our long ago discussion about Jews mistrusting "right wing Christians" and how he gave me a perspective I wouldn't have but for his comments.

"But now, Sam, it's those same far right Christians defending Israel with all of their hearts and souls."

Sam hemmed and hawed a bit and mentioned that people in the KKK and neo-Nazis probably voted Republican and that I shouldn't forget this.

"Sam, you should get down on your knees and thank God George W. Bush is your President after all the grief you gave me after that election."

"I AM glad Bush is president," Sam said softly, "and I intend to vote for him next time."

Then he went on to worry that Bush was going to give Sharon a hard time next week but that's just the point. Sam's comments about Bush giving Sharon a hard time were a waaaay different hue and cry from the humorous mockery of the man Sam exhibited after the election. Worrying about whether or not Dubya's going to take it easy on Sharon is indicator that Sam respects Bush and while he obviously does not want Bush to give Sharon a hard time, he accepts that one way or the other Bush is going to deal with Sharon with all the power and weight of the U.S. presidency.

Sam also told me he now listens to Rush Limbaugh and you could have knocked me over with half a feather. Sam spent hours making fun of Rush Limbaugh in a prior life!

While I'm not going to assert that Sam will change party affiliation tomorrow I really see a respect and appreciation for that "far right" so vehemently defending Israel. Yes and a gratefulness. Sam, like so many Jews I suspect, always feared that when the chips were down that America would turn its back on Israel and let it citizens be murdered in broad daylight. I see a happy guy in Sam and no mind he's worried about how Bush is going to treat Sharon, the point is he gives Dubya enough brain power to act like the leader he is.

Oh. Sam has NEVER told me who he is going to vote for but he told me yesterday he has every intention of voting for Bush. And he also told me he despises Hillary Clinton.

52 posted on 05/02/2002 6:47:29 PM PDT by Fishtalk
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To: oyez
I agree with you about Bush.

Franklin Roosevelt can be thanked for giving us the oppressive, bloated federal government and the IRS (though it didn't originate with him). John Kennedy was a mediocre man who dazzled a certain, philistine segment of American society.

Bush, so far, has proven to be outstanding.

To me, the great presidents have been Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan, and perhaps G. W. Bush.

53 posted on 05/02/2002 6:51:09 PM PDT by Savage Beast
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To: ex-snook
Can't think of anything new to say, so you just repost.

How clever of you. NOT!!!!!

54 posted on 05/02/2002 6:53:14 PM PDT by w1andsodidwe
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To: ohioWfan
Agreed. Does anyone know if x42 EVER had percentages that high?
55 posted on 05/02/2002 6:54:46 PM PDT by rintense
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To: All
Thanks all for your insightful comments concerning this article. A special thanks to VRWC_minion for the additional polling information. It's incredibly heartening to know that so many Americans and freepers 'get it!'

For those freepers who don't 'get it', I recommend that you read an article entitled "The Fall of the Libertarians" by Francis Fukuyama published today by www.opinionjournal.com (Wall Street Journal). I also recommend that you visit rnc.org to learn more about the plethora of conservative causes that President Bush has supported during his mere 15 months in office!

God Bless President Bush!
56 posted on 05/02/2002 6:58:14 PM PDT by DrDeb
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To: Freee-dame
Then ask. "If the media lied to us about Bush, perhaps they are lying about Issue X and Candidate Y?"

I love this approach! And I plan to use it!

Bush's coattails will be there because voters may actually factor the candidates' characters into their voting decision.

57 posted on 05/02/2002 7:01:03 PM PDT by maica
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To: Fishtalk
WOW! Great testimony! This christian(pointing at self) believes Israel is the apple of God's eye and it would be an honor to defend her if need be! My family and I love the Jewish people with all our hearts. Please let you friend know that we GLADLY STAND NEXT TO ISRAEL and if we have to we'll DEFEND HER against the wolves!
58 posted on 05/02/2002 7:01:45 PM PDT by RoseofTexas
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To: Fishtalk
"Sam hemmed and hawed a bit and mentioned that people in the KKK and neo-Nazis probably voted Republican"

And where did Sam get that brilliant idea? "Probably"? The last I heard the Ku Klux Klan was solidly Democrat.

59 posted on 05/02/2002 7:02:03 PM PDT by Savage Beast
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To: ohioWfan
Oh BABY! I could use about ten more threads with related themes. I really enjoyed reading this synopsis of the way our nation seems to trust our President. This is way beyond great news.....this is FANTASTIC NEWS!
60 posted on 05/02/2002 7:04:25 PM PDT by Republic
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