Bush, GOP, up in Harris poll

UPI ^ | Published 9/27/2002 8:16 PM | From the Life & Mind Desk

[luv2ndamend]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The ratings of President George W. Bush and the Republicans have improved sharply as the nation's focus moves from domestic issues to a preemptive war with Iraq, terrorism and national security, a new Harris poll has found.

"The public has responded positively to the president's leadership," wrote Harris Interactive Chairman Humphrey Taylor in a summary.

Between Sept. 19 and 23, the Harris Poll conducted a nationwide telephone survey of a cross-section of 1,011 adults. The results, released on Friday, show that Bush's ratings have risen from 63 percent to 68 percent positive in August, with 37 percent negative now down to 30 percent.

Vice President Dick Cheney's ratings showed an even greater improvement -- from 45 percent positive and 43 percent negative in August to 52 percent positive and 37 percent negative now.

The ratings of congressional Republicans have gone up from 41 percent positive to 47 percent positive while 49 percent negative has been reduced to 42 percent negative. The ratings of the Democrats in Congress have also improved, but less so, from 38 percent positive to 42 percent positive, and 54 percent negative becoming 49 percent.

Taylor interprets these figures -- with the GOP winning more positive support than negative criticism, and the Democrats receiving higher negative ratings -- as encouraging signs for the Republicans as the November elections approach.

The scores of several Cabinet secretaries have changed little since August.

Secretary of State Colin Powell -- with 75 percent positive, 18 percent negative ratings -- continues to rank highest of all U.S. political leaders.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's ratings are also little changed at 61 percent positive and 27 percent negative.

Attorney General John Ashcroft's ratings, at 52 percent positive and 32 percent negative, also are almost the same as they were last month.

The pollsters could find no particular events that account for the improvement in the rather poor ratings of Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill -- which rose to 38 percent positive from 33 percent in August, while negative ratings dropped from 38 percent that month to 30 percent positive now.

The ratings of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., (38 percent positive, 38 percent negative) also are significantly better than they were last month (34 percent positive, 43 percent negative). However, the poll was taken before Daschle's recent criticism of the president.

When respondents are asked to rank the most important issues for the government to address, without being shown any list or being prompted, the economy continues to top the list at 28 percent, but this is down somewhat from its score in July and August (33 percent and 32 percent).

The next four issues, however, are terrorism (24 percent), the "war" (14 percent), Iraq/Saddam Hussein (14 percent) and national security (12 percent).

Copyright © 2002 United Press International

[Dianna]

I read here somewhere that Carnahan, because she was appointed, can lose her seat immediately if she loses the election.

So even if we just beat her, it's possible that from Nov 6 until the new Congress is sworn in, we could get some of this stuff done.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

It won't matter if we all don't make a concerted effort to vote and bring people with us when we go to the polls. The dims have been stuffing the ballot box for years and this time around they're desperate.

[OldFriend]

The dems will stall the reorganization process so they don't give up power.

[Nam Vet]

I sure hope you're right. I have my fingers crossed and think it's POSSIBLE. We can just hope and keep working at it.

Nam Vet

[Nam Vet]

I think the Dims pulled out ALL the stops in 2000. I believe they CHEATED SO MUCH in 2000 that it was the best they can ever deliver. They will always cheat, but I think it will have a lesser effect in 2002 and 2004. Just consider the military vote. My guess is a LOT of the military will NEVER forget Flori-duh in 2000. They KNOW their votes will count when the 'Pubs are in power.

Nam Vet

[Nam Vet]

Fer a newbie I think you're spot on. Let's hope we're right. Welcome home Buddy.

Nam Vet

[Post Toasties]

Good news. Now if the US can hold those thoughts until November...

[KQQL]

@

[Southack]

"I have not seen the Dems this flustered since the days after their toss out in 1994. I think the Dem old timers smell trouble."

No kidding! Dems are behind 2 to 1 in fund-raising. Dems are behind in the polls for the House. Dems are vulnerable in MN, SD, NJ, MO, and Iowa. Bush is polling at 65% in California, compared to 42 to 48% (depending on which poll) for local Democrat gov Davis.

Repubs appear truly vulnerable only in Arkansas and Colorado, while Democrats have pissed away Millions of badly needed Dollars refurbishing their new headquarters building (officially).

On top of that, the Dems have been gambling on a go-for-broke all-or-nothing strategy of character assaults and Senate obstruction.

The Jeffords-style damage-control won't work for them this time around, either. Dems have shots at McCain, Snowe, and Chafee, whereas Repubs could potentially recruit Breaux and Miller. Thus, mass party-crossing won't make-up for a 3 seat Republican gain in the Senate.

And here's something else to consider: Bush is on track to be the largest fundraiser in history. So not only can the Repubs offer committee asignments and other such perks of the Majority party in the Senate to potential cross-overs, but the Repubs can hold out the carrot of maximum National Party "aid" for their future campaigns.

[newfreep]

If we win control of Senate, I hope W starts immediately to get some major tax cuts to address the sluggish economy. Then begin with the judicial nominees. But he MUST get the economy cookin' again...and real soon, too.

[backhoe]

I have not seen the Dems this flustered since the days after their toss out in 1994. I think the Dem old timers smell trouble.

I agree, and I base that on empirical evidence from my local talk radio show... I have never, except during impeachment, heard the local clinton Kool-Aid drinkers, so hysterical.

They are dragging out every DNC/DLC talking point I've ever heard- including every one from the 2000 election cycle- to try to damage the right/Republican positions.

The latest smear is the "Chickenhawk Database" in which the local clintophilliacs blather on from one commercial break to another about all those Evil Republicans in This Administration who Never Served in the Military.

What is truly amusing about this is that where I am, a Chickenhawk is an aging male homosexual who preys on young boys, and you can almost hear the hoots & guffaws of derision coming back over the radio from skeptical listeners...

I have seriously considered calling in to inform the host about this, but have refrained since they are doing so much damage to themselves, why stop them?

[Flyer]

I read here somewhere that Carnahan, because she was appointed, can lose her seat immediately if she loses the election.

You are correct. There is a lot of holiday time between the election and January, but probably a good 3 weeks of a Senate majority. Work fast!

---

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

McLame too. He has the integrity if a worm!

Of late, McCain has been a loyal Republican, especially when it concerns Iraq.

His health prospects will keep him in the fold.

[Redleg Duke]

No. Rightwing2 will explain to you that even if the R's exceed the D's after the election, it really doesn't count because most of the R's don't meet is standards of a properly pure Conservative Republican.

You can count on Rightwing2 to pour cold water on warm news. You just don't have to pay attention to him. After all, if you don't agree with him, then you aren't the type he wants to convince anyway.

[leprechaun9]

I believe we need as many seats as possible because there are several other "Jeffords" type RINOs, particularly the New England Socialist Republicans (i.e., Collins, Snowe, Chaffee, etc.).

[Go Gordon]

McLame too. He has the integrity if a worm!

McLame won't dare try it. He's up for re-election in 2004. Arizonians would never go for a turncoat. I believe he would have, if he thought he could make a presidential run in 2004 on the democratic ticket, but even he's not dumb enough think he could defeat Bush.

[aristeides]

I think I just heard on C-SPAN Radio that Torch is delivering the Dems' response to the President's Saturday radio address. I'm surprised the Dems haven't decided that Torch is now a lost cause, as well as a threat to the image of the whole party.

[aristeides]

So even if we just beat her, it's possible that from Nov 6 until the new Congress is sworn in, we could get some of this stuff done.

Not if Chafee switches. That would keep the Dems in the majority through any lame-duck session. Of course, I doubt if he would switch, unless the result of the other November races is that the Dems will stay in the majority after January (at least after his switch). Why switch into a minority?

[aristeides]

If those leftists hate chickenhawks so much, I wonder why they defended (and still defend) Clinton with such vigor.

[Man of the Right]

The Democrats are the Republicans best ally.

We understate their political death wish.

On the national security issue, the smart move would be to move to the right of Bush, criticizing the family's appeasement of Saddam in the '80s, its inattentiveness to national security prior to 9-11, and demanding immediate military action. Instead, they've positioned themselves as Saddam's protector. The public can see through their attempt to hold U.S. national security hostage to the U.N. to buy Saddam time to announce he possesses nuclear weapons.