How many GOP incumbents want to go along with Bush? Well, what choice do they have? John McCain hugged the bastard during the last campaign, after all. Bush is their game, so far.
Plus, his numbers are low because he can't order the retaliatory bombing of the Bermuda Triangle for Hurricane Katrina.
But tomorrow is the anniversary of 9/11. If Al Qaida blows a levee in Buffalo or something, all bets are off. Will the country rally around the Chump-in-Chief?
What are the chances?
Posted by stickler at September 10, 2005 11:49 PMI think that Mr. "I have political capital, and I am going to spend it", has just shot his wad on Katrina.
Posted by JUDITH at September 11, 2005 12:19 AMAt least twice now, this man has been warned of imminent danger to major American cities. Both times, he shrugged his shoulders and continued his vacation as though the warnings required no response on his part.
At some level, this realization is percolating into the consciousness of everyone in the United States.
What's his base? He's their guy. They voted for him. I'd guess the base is at least 33-35%. People are good at rationalization and denial. Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana -- all Bush country in 2004. They got what they wanted -- a government that despises its most vulnerable citizens.
Posted by blaneyboy at September 11, 2005 12:21 AMI never thought, in my 5 years as a student of politics, that I would say this, but...
I feel kinda sorry for Bush right now. Not half as sorry as for the Katrina victims, but still.
Posted by DukeRevolution at September 11, 2005 12:27 AMBush can now add being a failure as pResident to the list of other failures on his resume.
I have waited 4.5 f-ing years to see Mr. 51% get what he deserves. One thing this pResident doesn't realize is that you can steal an election, but you are still expected to perform. It took Katrina to expose the under belly of the beast.
Posted by Judith at September 11, 2005 12:53 AM(hey Judith -- thanks for dropping a line - I'll get back with you tomorrow -- thanks again :)
I was wondering today, listening to the radio and scanning the AM dial, if a larger sample were collected -- especially one that included cell phones -- would that number be even lower? From what I can tell here, the debit card fiasco resulted from DC types making annoucements --without telling the local authorities. So, yet again, we have feds making press announcements to look good and then causing unnecessary problems locally. Sound familiar? Haven't the VICTIMS been through enough? WTF?
And yet again, here in reality in Houston, the mayor has helped FEMA. Poor FEMA -- their computers don't work. Mayor Bill White(D) helped them out. Poor FEMA doesn't have telephones or pens for _____'s sake. Bill gets them freaking pens and a freaking table and chairs to sit their _____ on.
Don't bother me about links -- you're smart you can find them.
Posted by dorita at September 11, 2005 01:43 AMThere were many interesting numbers from that poll but one that might be a sign of his base is the one that said 28% of those polled felt that they were "satisfied with the way things were going" in the country, down from 36% in August.
That 28% number sounds like the true believers who of course would always be satisfied with the way things were going in the country as long as their cult leader is still at the helm running it.
Posted by emal at September 11, 2005 05:42 AMIf Al Qaida blows a levee in Buffalo or something, ...
Who's to say it will be Al Qaeda? With Blackwater Security patrolling New Orleans, who's to say that someone like them wouldn't do the job - under subcontract from, say, Hallibutron. After all - billions in profits are at stake!
Posted by pessimist at September 11, 2005 06:50 AMEmal, and that 28% of true believers are people who never listen to anything other than Fox News or Rush. I know, we have friends who are true believers.
Posted by Judith at September 11, 2005 06:55 AMPessimist, all bets are off. In this world of ours today, anything is possible.
Posted by Judith at September 11, 2005 06:58 AMI feel kinda sorry for Bush right now.
Hey, he wanted the job. It's not all flowers from Iraqis all the time. We (the American taxpayers) are paying his salary. We are the shareholders - he is responsible to us.
If he were the CEO of a large corporation he would be fired (albeit with a lovely golden parachute.) If he were a CEO in Japan, he would have already committed suicide.
I have no sympathy for the man. Absolutely none.
Posted by ann at September 11, 2005 08:53 AMI can't feel sorry for someone who was born on third base with a silver spoon in his mouth that couldn't feel any empathy for me.
Posted by pessimist at September 11, 2005 10:09 AMI think part of the 38% are folks who are busy busy busy and still not paying attention. I've had 2 friends (reasonable people for the most part) who didn't know much about Katrina and the aftermath. One I "tiraded" to as I was visiting from out of town, and she said "I'll have to ask my son if his girlfriend's family is alright" as she hadn't been watching the news or anything...and another visiting friend asked me about it as he'd only gotten his news from a local radio station and he knew I'd know more. He got an earfull and I gave him a couple summary articles (from THE WEEK I had in my car) as he said he didn't have time to read (he's in a lawsuit so is worried and preparing for that) and he just called me and said he was mailing me the latest TIME, that it's all about Katrina. These people are just average folks who aren't paying attention, but without someone (like me) hitting 'em on the head, they'd say "oh yeah, thing're fine, except for gas prices." I think they'd pay more attention during election season though.....I'd hope so anyway.
Posted by Sharon at September 11, 2005 10:20 AMhere is the issue at hand: the country has a crooked,lie prone government led by a president who was not supported by a majority vote when he assumed the office. A president who just coasts along, counting days until his next vacation, with little or no concern for the well-being of the citizens. But we have him for three more years. More of a problem is that the people who installed him are more than willing to orchestrate voting fraud to keep power in 06 and again in 08. Ask yourself, can a party with an approval rating of 35% get re-elected? Short answer: yes. How, you may ask? Cheat, cheat and cheat again until the people rise up and stop it. 2006 is the next chance, and, I believe, the last one.
Posted by T2 at September 11, 2005 06:19 PM38% is certainly not bedrock. Gov. Bob "the convict" Taft of Ohio polls 17% according to SurveyUSA. It can go much, much lower folks. The exodus of moderate Rethugs should begin very, very soon.
Posted by roamer at September 13, 2005 09:37 AM