<p>Down from 34% last month by the same research group. Is this some kind of polling mistake? </p>
<p><a href=“http://americanresearchgroup.com/economy/[/url]”>http://americanresearchgroup.com/economy/</a></p>
<p>Wow! Fascinating. Hard for me to imagine that’s a polling mistake because given the extent of the drop in approval, I’d expect that any reputable organization would triple check its research methods.</p>
<p>"Among all Americans, 19% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 77% disapprove. When it comes to Bush’s handling of the economy, 14% approve and 79% disapprove.</p>
<p>Among Americans registered to vote, 18% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 78% disapprove. When it comes to the way Bush is handling the economy, 15% of registered voters approve of the way Bush is handling the economy and 79% disapprove.</p>
<p>A total of 78% of Americans say the national economy is getting worse and 47% say the national economy is in a recession. A total of 42% of Americans, however, say they believe the national economy will be better a year from now, which is the highest level for this question in the past year. This optimism does not spread to improvements in household financial situations as 17% of Americans say they expect their household financial situations to be better a year from now, which is the lowest for this question in the past year."</p>
<p>It seems unbelievable that the approval rating could drop that fast in one month. The prior months were very stable with only a delta of two to five points. I looked at the list of questions that were asked and wonder if they the order of questions have changed or if new questions were asked. It is possible in a poll to steer a participant in a certain way by asking a certain set of questions in a certain order. If you ask about Bush’s job approval as the first question before asking the economy questions, you might get a higher approval rating since some of the participants would not have contemplated that Bush had a hand in the economy hitting the skids. Interesting development though as the Bush has to go to Africa to get people to cheer for him. Bush is major liability to the Republican party. With McCain as the candidate, many Republicans may stay away from the polls in November and the Republicans might get hard in the Senate and the House. It will be interesting to watch.</p>
<p>I was actually wondering if the pool of respondents had changed in terms of their political affinity, i.e. if half the conservatives polled still like Bush and that figure has remained consistent from month to month, but the overall numbers of conservatives dropped in this survey, that would send the numbers crashing down.</p>
<p>Could it be that people are less likely to identify themselves as conservative and are heading for the independent label in droves? Are conservatives harder to find now that the primary election is in full swing?</p>
<p>The primary and caucus numbers would bear that out, with most Independents voting Democrat and with Democrats outnumbering Republicans more than 2 to 1 in various states that are considered “red.”</p>
<p>According to real clear politics…the congressional approval is at 22%. In other words, nobody is happy with any part of our political environment</p>
<p>I think it’s just that America finally woke up. Many people are oblivious until things hit them in the face - or the pocketbook.</p>
<p>I was amazed to see a McCain ad, showing him in several smiley and several “serious-face, working intentely” poses with Bush at the White House. ??? I was thinking the previous approval ratings didn’t necessary point to this being a good thing… The early Republican debates always amazed me, to see how many times each candidate could say “Reagan”. That seemed to be a much more popular bandwagon to ride on than W’s. These numbers make it even more questionable. </p>
<p>But then again, I’m one of the ones that believe that Bill should lay low in order to help Hillary’s campaign. (and not fall asleep during speeches and have it broadcast on you-tube!!!)</p>
<p>Yet McCain polls nearly even with either Dem candidate.</p>
<p>This was the first month the “R” word has been officially discussed. It’s the economy, …</p>
<p>Yet McCain polls nearly even with either Dem candidate.</p>
<p>Polling apparently doesn’t equal voting.</p>
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<p>Let me guess…that came from the Washington Post? ;)</p>
<p>wall street journal</p>
<p>[Washington</a> Wire - WSJ.com : Democratic Voters Dwarf Republicans in ‘Potomac Primary’](<a href=“http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/02/13/democratic-voters-dwarf-republicans-in-potomac-primary/]Washington”>http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/02/13/democratic-voters-dwarf-republicans-in-potomac-primary/)</p>
<p>What is so surprising or newsworthy of more people showing up for a hotly contested election than for one that has been all but over since super Tuesday?</p>
<p>I dunno I don’t decide what they pick to print.
At least it is topical-
I have no idea why our local new media decide to run stories about Lindsey Lohan and a Marilyn Monroe type shoot.
</p>
<p>I pay even less attention to polls.</p>
<p>Exactly FF. While OB and H duke it out Mman will be tanned and rested. Bring 'em on.</p>
<p>Mman will be tanned and rested.
How well does he sleep at his age?
He looks like he certainly needs some rest.</p>
<p>OTOH OB does really not need to worry about tanning. Ba dump bump.</p>
<p>Funny thing, I have rarely ever seen Obama look tired since launching his campaign a year ago. He must feed on the enthusiastic crowd response. 20,000 people screaming in your favor in a stadium… hmm, the new anti-aging balm?</p>
<p>Bush has horrible approval ratings but ARG is the worst polling group in the country. They had Clinton ahead in WI by 11 one day, and the VERY NEXT DAY had Obama ahead by 7. They’re notorious for off the wall polls…</p>
<p>The big question is, whether it’s 19% or 30%, who in heck are those people who think Bush is doing a good job? I mean, I understand perfectly well how some people could prefer him to a specific alternative (either Clinton, Kerry, Obama, McCain, Huckabee, whomever). But all the way to “approve”? To “good”? That’s an enormous stretch! </p>
<p>I think people lie to pollsters all the time. I doubt Bush really has a 19% approval rating in Kennebunkport.</p>