www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9672058/

Bush approval dips below 40 percent
NBC-WSJ poll shows only 28 percent believe U.S. headed in right direction
By Mark Murray
Political reporter
NBC News
Updated: 7:33 p.m. ET Oct. 12, 2005
 

Mark Murray
Political reporter


WASHINGTON - It has been weeks since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast; since gas prices began spiking to record highs; and since Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, held her antiwar vigil outside President Bush’s Texas ranch. But, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, the fortunes of the Bush administration and the Republican Party have not yet begun to recover.

For the first time in the poll, Bush’s approval rating has sunk below 40 percent, while the percentage believing the country is heading in the right direction has dipped below 30 percent. In addition, a sizable plurality prefers a Democratic-controlled Congress, and just 29 percent think Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers is qualified to serve on the nation’s highest court.

"Any way you slice this data, I think these are just terrible sets of numbers," said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.


The poll shows that Bush’s approval rating stands at 39 percent, a new low for the president. In the last NBC/Wall Street Journal survey, which was released in mid-September, 40 percent approved of Bush’s job performance while 55 percent disapproved. In addition, just 28 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction, another all-time low in Bush’s presidency.

Strikingly, much has happened in the time between those two polls — many of them seemingly positive events for the White House. The president delivered a prime-time speech from New Orleans, in which he promised to rebuild the Gulf Coast. He also made several more visits to the region, to examine the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Furthermore, he saw the Senate confirm John Roberts to the Supreme Court, and he nominated Miers, his White House counsel, to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

‘Huge question mark’ on Miers
The Miers nomination, however, has disappointed some of the president’s conservative supporters, because they say she lacks judicial experience and a clear conservative record on social issues. According to the poll, 29 percent say she’s qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, while 24 percent think she’s unqualified. Forty-six percent say they don’t know enough about her.

"There is nothing to suggest that people have turned on her," Hart said. "But there is just a huge question mark behind her at this stage. She has to establish her own bona fides."


The poll, which has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points and which was conducted from Oct. 8-10 of 807 adults, also finds that strong majorities don’t believe that the recent charges against GOP leaders Tom DeLay of Texas and Bill Frist of Tennessee are politically motivated. Sixty-five percent say that DeLay’s indictment on charges of illegally using corporate contributions for political campaigns suggests potential illegal activity, while 24 percent say the indictment is politics as usual and has little merit. (Since his indictment, DeLay stepped down from his leadership position but still plays a prominent role in the U.S. House of Representatives.)

Meanwhile, 57 percent say Frist’s sale of stock in a company his family runs — just before the value of the stock declined — indicates potential illegal activity, compared with 28 percent who say the charge has little merit.

48 percent want Democratic-controlled Congress
In addition, with 13 months until the 2006 congressional elections, 48 percent say they prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, compared with 39 percent who want the Republicans to control Capitol Hill. In fact, that nine-point difference is the largest margin between the parties in the 11 years the NBC/Journal poll has been tracking this question.

But Hart argues that Democrats aren’t necessarily responsible for this margin. "It is not that Democrats have done so well," he said. "It is that people are disgusted." McInturff puts it this way: "People are very turned off and unhappy with the state of play in American politics."

People also seem to be turned off and unhappy with high gas prices. According to the survey, 69 percent believe the worst is still to come with energy and fuel prices. Just 25 percent think the worst is behind us.

Because of this generally sour attitude, the NBC/Journal pollsters doubt that Bush will be able to climb out of his standing anytime soon. "His trampoline [is] made of cement," Hart said.

And while McInturff thinks that Bush’s approval rating actually may actually hover between 40 and 45 percent, he says that’s still problematic terrain from which to govern. "It is a very difficult place to be."

I think this might hurt his re-election efforts in '08

Nominating your 'pal' instead of a seasoned student of the law for the SCOTUS tends to have that effect.

NBC lib or not...

I have been pretty pissed at him for:

Gas Prices

Giving up on Social Security.

Looking at capping our tax credit for mortgage write off's.

Doing nothing about the border.

Would I vote for him again? Sure, only because I know a .dem will makes us even weaker, do even less about the border and raise taxes and further our moral decline as a Nation.

Quoted: I think this might hurt his re-election efforts in '08

Note this sentence:
In addition, a sizable plurality prefers a Democratic-controlled Congress,

Looks like people are unhappy enough with him that they are getting pissed off at Republicans in general.

He hasn't done shit on social security.

He hasn't done shit on the border.

He nominated one of his buddies for the SCOTUS.

The list goes on.

Terrible president.

And I'm sure LARRYG and the other GWB apologists will be swooping in to defend him .

The nail in the coffin will be this winter. Natural gas is predicted to spike 70%.

I'm not sure I understand it completly, but isn't there a big rig called Mars that was damaged by Katrina? Accouted for a big chunck of the natural gas stream. That and many other wells that are off-line, as well as the speculators.

It may be time to dust off the wood burner.

Unless the train turns around, he's lost me.  So has anyone who wants to tie their ship to his.

Quoted: The nail in the coffin will be this winter. Natural gas is predicted to spike 70%. I'm not sure I understand it completly, but isn't there a big rig called Mars that was damaged by Katrina? Accouted for a big chunck of the natural gas stream. That and many other wells that are off-line, as well as the speculators. It may be time to dust off the wood burner.

I think the other energy companies are seeing the oil companies getting away with murder, and they say "Heck if the people are not doing anything about it, lets try and do it..."

Say goodbye to GOP control of the government.  

Quoted: Unless the train turns around, he's lost me.  So has anyone who wants to tie their ship to his.

... Oh wahhhh

... When did this site get so many thin-skinned liberals on board?

... Is this your new gal?

Quoted: I think this might hurt his re-election efforts in '08

What a dumb comment, though you were being sarcastic, there is a ripple down effect.  This report shows that people are generaly also annoyed with Republicans and may change who they vote for in 2 years and in 4.

Comments like these make it real obvious most of the people here don't know what they are talking about when it comes to certain subjects.

Quoted: Quoted: Unless the train turns around, he's lost me.  So has anyone who wants to tie their ship to his. ... Oh wahhhh ... When did this site get so many thin-skinned liberals on board?

Quoted: Quoted: Unless the train turns around, he's lost me.  So has anyone who wants to tie their ship to his. ... Oh wahhhh ... When did this site get so many thin-skinned liberals on board?

So what promise this election does it appear he'll come through on?  Or am I supposed to just do back flips cause he makes libs mad?

Quoted: The nail in the coffin will be this winter. Natural gas is predicted to spike 70%. I'm not sure I understand it completly, but isn't there a big rig called Mars that was damaged by Katrina? Accouted for a big chunck of the natural gas stream. That and many other wells that are off-line, as well as the speculators. It may be time to dust off the wood burner.

We've lost a considerable number of rigs this hurricane season. Most were drilling rigs, though...not production platforms.

Quoted: NBC lib or not... I have been pretty pissed at him for: Gas Prices Giving up on Social Security. Looking at capping our tax credit for mortgage write off's. Doing nothing about the border. Would I vote for him again? Sure, only because I know a .dem will makes us even weaker, do even less about the border and raise taxes and further our moral decline as a Nation.

Huh...What? I hadn't heard of that yet? Now what's he trying to do? Are you talking about the home mortgage interest writeoff every April 15th? Please explain! Fu)(*^()^K

Winston_Wolf,

In a way I am a bit taken back by your post. There are some of us who feel that GWB and our current republicans ARE NOT Conservative enough.

Heck, sometimes I think Sean Hannity and Rush are too liberal.

Thats why I am upset with him.

He started strong, finishing very weak..so will our party.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Unless the train turns around, he's lost me.  So has anyone who wants to tie their ship to his. ... Oh wahhhh ... When did this site get so many thin-skinned liberals on board? So what promise this election does it appear he'll come through on?  Or am I supposed to just do back flips cause he makes libs mad?

Tax Cuts

Through a very ingenious process, allowed the AWB to sunset

Placed a good Conservative on the bench, getting ready for another

Unemployment lower than it has been in years

Incomes are up

Bolstered military spending

Lowest interest rates in years

More homes owned by American than anytime in history

... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office?

 I voted for Bush twice but he has some problems. His biggest problem is Iraq. He thought we would oust Hussien and march into Baghdad like the Allies marched into Paris in WW II. Met by cheering crowds. When that didn't happen he was at a total loss and at this point  just doesn't know what to do. I hope we can establish a govt there and get on out. We shall see.
 As far as Miers goes that is the dumbest damn thing I have seen someone do in a mighty long time. This nomination was IT. Bush has no fight left in him apparently and I now wonder how much he ever had.
 It seems like Bush has just cracked up and has lost his way. The Miers thing is just unbelievable.

I'd like to know how 807 people can represent a good cross section of the couple hundred million citizens of this country.

What can I do?

Knowing what I know now, would I vote GW over Kerry?

Yep.

GW vs ANY lib?  Yep.

Other than that?

He's done a crappy job and has damaged the right.

The ONLY thing I think he's done is take NO...NO action on the border,
and, the Dems see that the public cares about it and, now they are co-opting
the issue as thiers.....So, the libs may actually DO somthing about the border
this election cycle 'cause they will see it as thier shot. (Hillary)

This last SCOTUS nominee is a perfect example.

What an opportunity...squandered....I guess he's trying to do some (left wing) good
things so he can be remembered nicely.

That's the only thing I can think of.

In one move, he's a strong leader....

The next, he's a waffeling ninny.

HEY!  GW!  They HATE you.  They HATE you...They will ALWAYS hate you.

Do what the F you WANT to do!

DAMN!

Sorry..Unplugging some frustration!

Quoted: NBC lib or not... I have been pretty pissed at him for: Gas Prices

Just curious, because by the "lib or not" comment, I assume you're a conservative.  As a conservative, what do you think Bush should do about the price of gas?  I'm upset with Bush on a lot of different topics, but gas prices isn't one of them...

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Unless the train turns around, he's lost me.  So has anyone who wants to tie their ship to his. ... Oh wahhhh ... When did this site get so many thin-skinned liberals on board? So what promise this election does it appear he'll come through on?  Or am I supposed to just do back flips cause he makes libs mad? ... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office?

Bush flipped flopped more than any politician ever. He flip flopped on:

N. Korea proliferation.
Soc. Sec.
State's Rights.
Abortion
Patient right to sue.
The Iraq responce.
Scientific research studies.
Free trade.
9/11 Commission
Gay marriage (said it was a state issue, now he goes national)
Saddam/al Qaeda Link

Scary part is this isn't in the debates or on promotional speeches, this is what he DID, not said!

Quoted: Quoted: NBC lib or not... I have been pretty pissed at him for: Gas Prices Giving up on Social Security. Looking at capping our tax credit for mortgage write off's. Doing nothing about the border. Would I vote for him again? Sure, only because I know a .dem will makes us even weaker, do even less about the border and raise taxes and further our moral decline as a Nation. Huh...What? I hadn't heard of that yet? Now what's he trying to do? Are you talking about the home mortgage interest writeoff every April 15th? Please explain! Fu)(*^()^K

Being a Real Estate Broker, we hear lots of news about this stuff. On monday we heard that the current administran in an effort not to raise taxes, but to streamline current taxes and 'move' money around is looking at capping the amount of mortgage writeoffs we can have. They are thinking of starting low at $350,000 then after the arguing is done making it look like they have offered us a consession and raising it to $500,000ish.

Cavuto had a few people on this today I had seen as well, no link yet. But it will be there.

The domestic natural gas supply situation was pretty desperate even without the hurricane damage, there wouldn't have been a shortage this year, but it was coming regardless.

We simply don't have the supply we need, and it'll only get worse. The security and economic difficulties of LNG make it impractical as a solution.

If you're on gas it may be wise to consider alternate heating fuels, the practice of using natgas for powerplants is going to bite us in the end.

Just a few years ago I considered it a major disadvantage that I'm not on a gas line, now not so much.

As for GWB and his sinking poll numbers, as tempting as it is to scream "I told you so" from the rooftops, I really truly wish I'd been wrong about what he'd do to the conservative movement.

The sad truth is that the GOP had a lock on generational power following 9/11, a conservative revolution that had enormous momentum, and it took unprecedented incompetence to screw that up.

the border situation is the big issue with me.  enemies of this country are seeping in through our borders and nothing is being done about it.  a state of emergency is declared in two states...  still, nothing is done.

i can say without a doubt that the next attack in this country will be carried out by those who have come into the country from mexico or canada.  Americans will die because not only bush, but also leaders before him have chosen to do nothing about our borders.

Wait a second.  What was his ingenious process of allowing the AWB to sunset?  Didn't he just let it sunset like it was supposed to, but said if congress renewed it, he'd sign the damn thing into law?

Quoted: Wait a second.  What was his ingenious process of allowing the AWB to sunset?  Didn't he just let it sunset like it was supposed to, but said if congress renewed it, he'd sign the damn thing into law?

Yes he did. But the people here seem to ignore that and still insist he is pro-gun...

Quoted: Quoted: NBC lib or not... I have been pretty pissed at him for: Gas Prices Just curious, because by the "lib or not" comment, I assume you're a conservative.  As a conservative, what do you think Bush should do about the price of gas?  I'm upset with Bush on a lot of different topics, but gas prices isn't one of them...

I know how the gas prices work, it is a free market and as long as we continue to consume and pretty much not care about the high gas prices ( gas is settled now at a price a few weeks ago were throwing a fit over....Now we are ok with them because they are cheaper than what they were, but are still very high).

I think we have done nothing in this country, and it is HIS country now to get the 10+ years needed in federal and local permit crap and the politics it takes in order to get some new refineries built that could be ran more effeciently anc cheaper than the current ones we have.

Poking a hole in Anwar is not going to do a thing for us. We need HUGE tax credits/ grants etc.. for the big three to make AFFORDABLE hybrid type cars ( a current Honda will take 3-4 years to recoup the cost of the car over gas savings an SUV hybrid is 9-10 years ).

He has the power to bring those incentives to the people and pressure the .gov to help make things happen. His past energy bill did nothing to help us. Only the energy companies. They WILL NOT turn around and pass those saving on to us.

Even if NG or Nitrogen etc is made for cars, an energy company is an energy company. I do not see anyone coming out with a 'cheaper' alternative, just a different one to compete.

Just my take.

Quoted: ... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office?

Did I fucking say that?  I get so god damn tired of that tactic.

Lets see we got two possibly conservative Judges, one that even conservatives on the hill are choaking on.  But we're all wrong on her we're told.

Unemployment is not something I think the president directly controls.  The economy peaks and dips and unemployment and poverty have been undulating around the same point for decades.

Tax cuts are now in danger because he can't keep the (R)s in line with an approval rating in the gutter nor can he put away the credit card.  The sunset may eleapse without much effort to renew them.  Death tax is back.  Tax reforms that were a major portion of his campaign are nothing but whispers with little chance of momentum now.

The economic stuff is great but as I said I don't believe the media bullshit that says Clinton created this wonderous economy nor do I think Bush killed it in 2000 nor do I think his mastery of economics saved it in 2003.  We've had several presidents that understand the best policy is to stay out of it's way.

Social Security Reform - Dead on arrival.  Even with talk of income limits, and redistribution of wealth to the poor he couldn't move it.

AWB was certainly not an 2004 campaign promise.

Happy horseshit shoved up my pipe about the progress of training Iraqi troops.  Just tell us the right number up front.  I certianly can't defend a radio address that says they are ever increasing and testimony by his generals  saying they are decreasing.



So could we knock it off with the ad-hominim attacks?  I'm not the only conservative who is getting weary of this.  If he can't get his shit turned around and communicate in a mannor that rallies his base he's not goiing to have two political sticks to rub together in a couple of years.

Quoted: I think we have done nothing in this country, and it is HIS country now to get the 10+ years needed in federal and local permit crap and the politics it takes in order to get some new refineries built that could be ran more effeciently anc cheaper than the current ones we have.

Don't you understand?  Oil companies DO NOT want to build new refineries!  They have a stranglehold on the market.  Why on earth would they want to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to make their product cheaper?

Do we have an immigration plan?

Do we have an energy plan?

Quoted: Do we have an immigration plan? Do we have an energy plan?

[Crickets]Someone does.....Somewhere......[/Crickets]

If the only argument you have is "Well he isn't Kerry." well then please go the fuck away and beat off into a small closet and not here.

I hate the gas costs but national security is the highest priority, and he's done his best with that overall in my opinion.
The borders have been a problem for decades now, there's no easy or quick answer.

Quoted: Quoted: I think we have done nothing in this country, and it is HIS country now to get the 10+ years needed in federal and local permit crap and the politics it takes in order to get some new refineries built that could be ran more effeciently anc cheaper than the current ones we have. Don't you understand?  Oil companies DO NOT want to build new refineries!  They have a stranglehold on the market.  Why on earth would they want to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to make their product cheaper?

Because they are not run by Mr. Burns.  There is an optimum price point.  Exceed it and dispite the high price per unit you see declining revenue.  At the current price I have changed my driving habits as I would otherwise have to cut other areas of spending.  That means I now consume less, and am looking for ways to further reduce.  If I am, so are others.  That is not a desireable situation to be in when selling a product.   Demand for gasoline is elastic, it is not infinate.

Quoted: I think this might hurt his re-election efforts in '08

+1

Quoted: I hate the gas costs but national security is the highest priority, and he's done his best with that overall in my opinion. The borders have been a problem for decades now, there's no easy or quick answer.

Because doing fuck all with a huge unsecured border with a hostile country is a great strategy.  Right.

Not for nothing, but we have our military protecting the borders in Iraq....'Insurgents' are mainly who there?

I hope we will one day do a better job here.


Semper Fi.

I am going to bed.

Hell, even Ann Colter was saying Bush is fucking us good, and risking our seats in Congress by all his fuck ups.  Typical second term Republican bullshit as usual.

hate to feign ignorance but I'm not certain what you're post was saying exactly. But then I do have a wv education.

Quoted: Quoted: ... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office? ... progress of training Iraqi troops

... You have to look at the bigger picture, war isn't easy. President Bush said the GWOT would be long and arduous. Where's your patience? Or were you expecting instant war-gratification like that you get shopping at a convenient mart?

... If we don't deal with the Middle Eastern terrorists your kids will

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: . ... Oh wahhhh .? So what promise this election does it appear he'll come through on?  Or am I supposed to just do back flips cause he makes libs mad? Tax Cuts Through a very ingenious process, allowed the AWB to sunset Placed a good Conservative on the bench, getting ready for another Unemployment lower than it has been in years Incomes are up Inflation Bolstered military spending Lowest interest rates in years More homes owned by American than anytime in history its called population growth ... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office? www.poorschmuck.net/archives/Kerry-Kennedy%20Sauron-Saruman.gif

Your argument-fu is weak on these points.  Drop them.

Quoted: ... If we don't deal with the Middle Eastern terrorists your kids will

My kids will get to deal with them regardless.

They'll also get to deal with the complete lack or border security, Social Security, taxes and out of control Government spending... all things this President pissed upon.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office? ... progress of training Iraqi troops ... You have to look at the bigger picture, war isn't easy. President Bush said the GWOT would be long and arduous. Where's your patience? Or were you expecting instant war-gratification like that you get shopping at a convenient mart? ... If we don't deal with the Middle Eastern terrorists your kids will

Never said it was easy, but when you address the public and state the situation is improving three days after your own genreals say it has in fact become worse you are either knowingly misleading or woefully ill informed and niether is very admireable.  I expect precious little out of Iraq honestly.  Get it done and move on with all POSSIBLE speed.  

Stop trying to horn shoe me into some kind of war protester or DU plant.  Anyone who's seen me on this board knows that is'nt even close to true.  I can however seperate support for our efforts there from having someone blow sunshine at me about the true situation.

Quoted: Quoted: ... Would you really rather have flip-flop Kerry in office? Did I fucking say that?  I get so god damn tired of that tactic.

+1...that tactic of the Bush apologists is getting old...

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Your argument-fu is weak on these points.  Drop them.

... No it's not, my quality of life is better than it was four years ago.

... You can't claim the same?

"I can however seperate support for our efforts there from having someone blow sunshine at me about the true situation."

A lot of soldiers say it's going a lot better than people think there.

LOW INTEREST RATES ARE NOT A SIGN OF STRENGTH!!!!!!

All else being equal, the lower interest rates are the weaker the real economy is.

Interest rates are the tool they use when things aren't going so well, it has conserquences.

Low interest rates mean we borrow more, so we have more money to spend than we've earned, so we import goods from hostile nations, so domestic manufacturing suffers, so we earn even less....

The Bush economic policy is like the grade-school version of true conservatism. Tax cuts are meaningless without spending cuts, monetary restraint, free markets. The Bush administration has been the most interventionist in American history, treasury steps into the marketplace on a daily basis.

They have the tools to move the markets in the short term, push long rates below the real rate of inflation long enough and hard enough you can create growth, but the growth is slower than the debt growth that fuels it. This fuels inflation and bleeds us of equity at the same time.

The nation has been borrowing 30% of its GDP a year in new public and private sector debt. Kerry and Gore would have done the same things, more or less, and the trend was well established before Bush was elected, but a real conservative would have done things very differently.

Bugs the crap out of me when people say Bush's economic policies have been good.

Quoted: Do we have an immigration plan? Do we have an energy plan?

Yup, strap all the illegals onto stationary bikes and dangle a green card in front of their noses. Hook the rear wheels up to generators, and problem solved.

This has become a weekly thing almost.