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Handling Economy More Important Role for President Than Commander in Chief
Gallup News Service ^ | July 2, 2004 | Joseph Carroll

Posted on 07/05/2004 6:23:58 PM PDT by RWR8189

Six in 10 Americans say Bush and Kerry can each handle role as commander in chief

PRINCETON, NJ -- Is the most important job of the president to act as commander in chief of the military, to handle the economy, or to manage the federal government? A recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll asked Americans the question and found a plurality of Americans saying the president's most important role of the three is to handle the nation's economy. Acting as commander in chief of the military scores the lowest of the items listed in the poll. When Americans are asked whom they trust more to handle the responsibilities of commander in chief, President George W. Bush wins over presumptive Democratic Party nominee John Kerry by an eight-point margin. However, in separate ratings, 61% of Americans think both Bush and Kerry are each capable of handling the duties of commander in chief.

The Most Important Role of the President

The poll, conducted June 21-23, shows that when given a choice, 41% of Americans say handling the economy is the most important role of the president, while 32% say managing the federal government, and 23% say being commander in chief.

 

Americans' perceptions of the importance of the different roles depend, in part, on their party affiliation. Democrats and independents say handling the economy is most important, mentioned by 41% of independents and a majority (53%) of Democrats. Only about 1 in 10 Democrats say the commander in chief role is most important. On the other hand, Republicans are most likely to say that being commander in chief is the most important role, a view held by 41% of Republicans. Fewer than 3 in 10 Republicans say managing the federal government (29%) or handling the economy (26%) is the top role.


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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bush43; cinc; economy; gallup; kerry; poll; polls
How depressing.
1 posted on 07/05/2004 6:23:58 PM PDT by RWR8189
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To: Salvation; redlipstick; texasflower; seamole; Doctor Stochastic; MegaSilver; BlueAngel; ...

Gallup Ping

FReepmail me if you want to be on or off the list.


2 posted on 07/05/2004 6:24:50 PM PDT by RWR8189 (Its Morning in America Again!)
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To: RWR8189

A) The people that answered this poll are a bunch of ignorant idiots.

B) The population as a whole are a bunch of ignorant idiots.

C) All of the above


I am afraid I have to pick C


3 posted on 07/05/2004 6:27:36 PM PDT by The South Texan (The Democrat Party and the leftist (ABCCBSNBCCNN NYLATIMES)media are a criminal enterprise!)
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To: RWR8189
An important question to be asked to those who believe the president "runs" the economy...

Just what did Bill Clinton do, each day, during his presidency, to "run the economy?" I'd appreciate just two specifics. What is it, specifically, you expect that John Kerry will do to "run the economy?"

Wait for the stammering to subside.

4 posted on 07/05/2004 6:29:48 PM PDT by Sgt_Schultze
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To: RWR8189

Pretty sickening.
It's what our educational system has come to.


5 posted on 07/05/2004 6:31:01 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: RWR8189; POA2

In a free market, capitalist economy, it isn't the job of the president at all, to run the economy, merely to create the right conditions, such as not have stifling tax burden, etc.

I guess the people of the US are ready for socialism, where the government indeed runs the economy.

As you said, how depressing.

Again -- as I keep saying, the Bush Administration just has to get its act together, get the word out and educate the people, before it's too late.

One of the reasons President Reagan was so popular, was that he did go and explain things to the people, didn't expect that they will miraculously figure it out, if all they hear is the liberal propaganda and distortion.


6 posted on 07/05/2004 6:39:24 PM PDT by FairOpinion (If you are not voting for Bush, you are voting for the terrorists.)
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To: RWR8189
Not fighting terrorism proactively may lead to economic destruction. Place the economy first and then, if a terrorist act hits, the liberals will say "Bush should have been less focused on the economy and more concerned about our security." Blah, blah, blah....

Terrorism and the state of the economy go hand-in-hand.

7 posted on 07/05/2004 6:40:00 PM PDT by we_will_prevail
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To: Sgt_Schultze

This is what I want to ask people like this. Doesn't national security effect our economy. Look what happened right after 9-11.

The airlines lost money

The stock market plunged

Major League Baseball stopped their games and even thought about suspending them for the season at one point. If that happened they would have lost money.

People were afraid to go to Disney World so for a while they lost money

TV stations like Fox and CNN stopped commercials so they lost $ from their advertisers.

Now if these industries continued to lose money they would have to lay people off in order to make up some of the lost profits (they did layoff plenty, but it could have been worse). If it continued then they couldn't pay back their loans to banks (being in the banking industry I can tell you these companies take out loans for MILLIONS of dollars. This would in turn cause banks a ton of loss in profits and totally wreak havoc on the finance industry.

I am sure you all get the point!! I just wish others would. I try and tell people who drink the Kool-Aid this and it is like talking to a wall!!


8 posted on 07/05/2004 6:41:08 PM PDT by MissyMa
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To: MissyMa

I get your point, Missy. Just see my post above. You're right on the money. You said it better than I did.


9 posted on 07/05/2004 6:43:17 PM PDT by we_will_prevail
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To: we_will_prevail
I saw your post after I typed my long reply!

Yours was as good as mine, but briefer. :o)

I also forget to add that other countries were telling their citizens not to come to this country so it also caused tourism to decline which would in turn effect the hotel industry, the airline industry (again), the rental car industry, etc. I could go on and on all day!

These people have rocks in their heads. I am now convinced republicans are the only people with a functioning brain (this coming from a reformed liberal no less)
10 posted on 07/05/2004 6:46:45 PM PDT by MissyMa
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To: MissyMa
"(this coming from a reformed liberal no less)"

Good for you!!! Welcome to the other side!

My dad loved discussing politics with me, from the time I was in fourth or fifth grade! My father was a HUGE Reagan supporter and is a lifelong Republican.

What I admire about my dad is that he didn't say to me, "you have to be this way or think this way," instead, he pointed out the beliefs/differences between the two parties. And it was clear to me that I felt more comfortable in the Republican category.

This was a lot to digest at the time -- I was 10!

11 posted on 07/05/2004 6:55:39 PM PDT by we_will_prevail
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To: MissyMa
"These people have rocks in their heads. I am now convinced republicans are the only people with a functioning brain (this coming from a reformed liberal no less)"

Most of them are brain-washed by greed. They are still raving about what Slick did for the 'greatest economy' we ever had. His knowledge and cowardice on national security was a disgrace.

If only someone could get into their brain that a CIC who doesn't know what he's doing could cause them to live like poor slaves if we lose our country to the enemy - or they could die rich if we are attacked.

Congratulations on your wise choice to reform. :-)

12 posted on 07/05/2004 6:59:13 PM PDT by LADY J
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To: RWR8189

The ignorace of the 41% of the American people who think the president manages the economy is breathtaking. And then consider how many more think the president controls the economy, but aren't included in the 41%.


13 posted on 07/05/2004 7:13:03 PM PDT by clintonh8r ("Just because I could.......")
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To: RWR8189

Lets redo the survey shortly after a ChiCom has tried to stick a bayonet through their guts, or after we have a nuclear air burst over a west coast city.


14 posted on 07/05/2004 7:41:48 PM PDT by Citizen Tom Paine (Survival trumps every other factor.)
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To: RWR8189

I'd say a big cause of our economic problems are the people who make up the leftmost/green columns. There are too many of them, and they're endangering the country's future.


15 posted on 07/05/2004 8:38:43 PM PDT by dr_who_2
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To: RWR8189

My, my, my. Look what the miserable reporting on Iraq hath wrought.


16 posted on 07/05/2004 9:28:38 PM PDT by GVnana
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To: RWR8189

Oh boy, kids are growing up now believing we live in a democracy and not a Democratic Republic. This is so sad and so dangerous. I suppose now folks think that if the majority believes it, then it should be.


17 posted on 07/06/2004 5:39:39 AM PDT by numberonepal (goodnewsamerica.us Fast News For Common Sense People)
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To: MissyMa

Bravo..I found this poll so depressing...I could not help but be reminded that the Soviets "managed the economy"...Perhaps they want a system like they had?...


18 posted on 07/06/2004 7:54:18 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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