The Republican Party was hit with another stomach punch this week with the release of a new USA Today/Gallup poll showing Americans' satisfaction with the GOP-controlled Congress now at a pathetic 29%, the lowest since 1994 when an electorate fed up with scandal, corruption and policy failure gave the GOP a landslide win in the midterms, ushering in over 11 years of Republican rule that still exists on the Hill today. It's starting to look like deja vu all over again for the GOP. The poll found President Bush's approval rating at an all-time low as well.
Americans increasingly are saying they want change. The country has been rocked with both domestic and overseas turmoil including a highly controversial and unpopular war; ongoing terror threats and embarrassing homeland security failures; rising inflation; declining consumer confidence; record gas and oil prices; scandal on Capital Hill and in the White House; and the Harriet Miers debacle.
What's of most concern to party analysts is that the new poll also showed that 1 in 4 independents said they approved of Congress' performance, whereas about 7 in 10 said they disapproved.
"The Republican base can be as intense as it wants, but if you are going to lose independents nationally by 15 [percentage] points, it doesn't matter," said veteran GOP pollster Tony Fabrizio.
The Bush administration's strength has been its core conservative base, which could further alienate independents as the desperate Bushies try to appease the base even further. "He could lose all the independents in the process," said Democratic pollster Stanley B. Greenberg.
GOP Pollster Frank Luntz agrees that the party is facing mounting challenges it may not be able to overcome, and that anger towards the Republican leadership and a desire for change may result in a "wave that throws out incumbents," and added, "everyone's disappointed. I can't find a happy Republican out there."
6 comments:
I keep hearing Where are the Democrats, where are their ideas? Well the Democrats don't have to even put on their holsters because the GOP is shooting themselves in the foot. The minute the Dems start raising holy hell, the GOP will start their usual crap of YELLING "partisan politics". No the Dems are smart right now of just sitting back and let the majority party self destruct and right now it's going very fast.
The polls tell it all and I still can't figure out how come there is a 2% approval of Bush from the black community. That must be Collin and Condi who still love W. When any party looses the Indpendents and the minorities you're sunk, unless you still have Diebold supplying your voting machines.
Hooray! And here in Lincoln County, NM (diehard Republican Country) are two pieces of good news: 1. By 2007 we are required to use only voting machines with voter verified paper trails and 2.My republican chiropractor who has always had a big picture of Bush on his wall wants to dump him!
Was it Napoleon who was quoted as saying..."When your enemy is making mistakes, don't interrupt."
I think the Democrats are doing a fine job of letting the GOPs hang themselves out to dry.
Yes, Democrats need a strong message to the public. But, as my sister says, everything is timing and lighting. When the dissatisfaction turns to genuine dissent, then people will be open to the Dems message.
I actually grew up knee-jerk Republican, and most of my family still subscribes to conservative values. I don't agree with them anymore, but I won't say that all conservatives or conservative ideas are Eeeeeevil. And I just want to point out that the mob currently in charge aren't conservatives--if you think about the true meaning of conservative ideas, at least how I was taught them, aka "little government interference" and "personal and fiscal responsibility." With all their massive deficit spending, their corruption and cronyism, their complete unwillingness to be held accountable for the disasters they cause, their desire to police our bedrooms and our library records--it's no wonder some conservatives and independents are starting to grumble. I just wish they had figured it out before November 2004...all the proof was staring them right in the face. Maybe America has buyer's remorse these days, but too freaking bad. It's going to be a LONG three years.
I grew up with conservative parents who voted straignt Democratic tickets. I had two main messages growing up 1) you must be responsible with your money and 2) you must look out for the underdogs. My dad gave me one piece of advice when I registered to vote the first time. He said, "Look at the candidates and issues. You'll find the ones interested in helping you out will be Democrats." I find that to still be invaluable advice.
I resent it when GOPsters paint liberals and conservative liberals as irresponsible. Don't get me started about Bush Co. Karen has outlined it neatly. I can only hope a course correction will happen before 2008.
"I just wish they had figured it out before November 2004...all the proof was staring them right in the face. Maybe America has buyer's remorse these days, but too freaking bad. It's going to be a LONG three years."
Karen, You are oh so right!!!
After this Jackass i.e. Bush is gone, we as a nation are going to be right back where we were after Bush 1, with an economy in shambles, a huge deficit and a bonus that being a war that costs the US taxpayer $4 billion + a month to fight. And of course it will be the little guy that has to pick up the tab in the end. Are there still any Brain Washed GOP flag wavers out there that can refute that this Moron, the GOP WHORES and their Corporate Handlers have brought America to a worse place than they found it in 2000???
Those of us that hate these lying and evil bastards should dedicate ourselves over the next three LONG years to exposing the lies and corruption of the Bush administration/GOP. Remember, it was not those us that disagree with Bush that started this partisan war, but we the free thinking and informed Americans that will live to finish it and see the utter and total political demise of these scumbags.
Give no Quarter and fight to the bitter end!!
Post a Comment