Speaking of polls (see below), I couldn’t resist commenting on the Alan Fram column for the AP, which explains to the great unwashed the reasons for Bush’s worst ever poll number (31% approval) and the even more disastrous Congressional number (22%).
Naturally enough, the “unbiased” Fram leads with President when it’s the Congress whose number has reached almost the minimum conceivable for such things. We come to expect that. Bashing Bush is like breathing for the soul inert.
What’s more dismaying is that virtually his entire analysis comes down to – It’s the war, stupid. Bush is down because of the war. And Congress is further down for their inability to force Bush out of the war. (Something doesn’t compute there, but never mind.)
I wonder if it’s just possible that what is depressing those numbers on both sides is something more basic – a failure to communicate… Bush with those who oppose him (and many in the middle) and Congress with virtually everybody (hence their lower numbers).
But I could be wrong. I’m no “poll analyst.”
Roger,
I agree with you, a very large part of Bush’s problems seem directly tied to his poor communication skills.
Hopefully the next President will realize that running the White House like a corporation just doesn’t work. The administration needs to provide information, not try to spin things to look good… with the advent of the Internet, that sort of stuff doesn’t fly any longer.
Oh and I second you on Congress as well… just in case anyone thought I was only Bush Bashing.
Not being one for conspiracy theories, I have been somewhat skeptical about the idea that George Soros is attempting to discredit our institutions. But I have been wondering lately: If he were, would poll numbers like these be one of the results?
Worst ever? I thought a couple of months ago Bush’s was 29%, Congress’s was 14%. Bush’s approval actually improves because he refuses to cave in to the defeatists. Congress rating improves an astounding 57% (i.e. (22-14)/14 %) for not forcing a retreat.
Well, the guys in my local bar (including myself, of course) are every bit as good at analyzing polls as this Alan Fram fellow, whoever he is.
We shall begin our analysis with the source of our information: the big newspapers, or the network TV stations (herein abbreviated MSM). It may be observed that they are the source of the phrase ‘poll analyst’ – as if all this guy does is sit with a 6″ magnifying glass peering at poll results, and phoning in his opinions to Headquarters where they’re run up on a Scientific Meter. Well, horsebeans. He’s in the bar down the street from us, and their BS is no more perceptive nor sensitive than ours is.
We continue by focusing OUR 6″ magnifying glass (hell, let’s use the 12″ one, that proves we’re smarter) on said MSM, and applying our formidable memory meanwhile. What do we learn? That for a period of time unprecedented in US history (almost TWO FULL TERMS), said MSM has relentlessly devoted most of its communications talents and more than half its page space and broadcast time into pouring scorn, spite, disdain, outrage, hate, opposition and treachery over all actions, hopes and policies of the Bush Administration.
I defy anyone to demonstrate that any other Administration (including Nixon’s) has faced such prolonged and concerted opprobrium from the folks who ‘inform’ us of current events.
Our conclusion is clear: public opinion being heavily influenced by said MSM, by which the population receives most of its daily information about world events, the MSM may take a bow and claim the credit for those largely manufactured low ratings.
The MSM must also bear some responsibility for undermining the whole concept of democracy through its ultra-cynical manipulation of public opinion, and the resulting lack of esteem that all of our elected representatives now bear.
This is not a good thing.
Early on, I tried to participate in the ‘so-called” polls over the phone exactly one time. The questions as they were phrased were so lopsided, I just terminated the “polling” after about 2, 3 min.
After that I refused to answer any more polls. I wonder “Is that why there is consistently less conservative representation in most polls?” Because you just know the result would be?
Hi Roger,
Gasoline is at $3.00/gallon and the value of real estate is falling pretty fast.
I don’t think George Bush or Congress has much to do with either, but either way, approval numbers are bound to reflect the situation.
The high cost of gas and oil, and the falling real estate market are not necessisarily bad things, but people don’t like them.
James