SwiftVets.com

[shawa]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-07-bush-poll_x.htm

Bush Shows Highest Ratings In A Year

By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Americans give President Bush his highest job-approval rating in more than a year and show cautious optimism about Iraq in a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken shortly after historic Iraqi elections.

In reversals from a month ago, majorities now say that going to war in Iraq was not a mistake, that things are going well there and that it's likely democracy will be established in Iraq. (Related item: Poll results)

Bush's approval rating of 57% is his highest since he reached 59% in January 2004, shortly after U.S. troops captured Saddam Hussein.

The public remains skeptical about Bush's plans to alter Social Security. Forty-four percent say they approve of his approach, compared with 50% who say they disapprove. (Related: Results)

And Bush's domestic agenda continues to diverge from the priorities cited in the poll. Respondents consider health care costs, education and the economy higher priorities for Bush and Congress than issues on Bush's front burner: Social Security, taxes, same-sex marriage and limits on lawsuits.

The poll of 1,010 adults was conducted Friday through Sunday — after the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq and Bush's State of the Union address Wednesday, which highlighted the Iraq vote. Its margin of error was +/-3 percentage points.

"Nothing breeds success like success," says Matthew Dowd, a Bush strategist. People now feel the decisions Bush made "were the right ones," he says, and that translates into more trust in his leadership.

Geoffrey Garin, a Democratic pollster and strategist, says Bush's high numbers are a temporary function of "a positive news event" (the Iraqi elections) and a well-received State of the Union address. He predicts they will be superseded by "Social Security privatization and a budget proposal that is deficit-laden, even with huge cuts in domestic programs."

The poll shows increased optimism about Iraq on many fronts. Six in 10 people say the elections there went better than they expected.

Other findings:

55% say the United States did not make a mistake sending troops to Iraq, up from 47% last month.

53% say things are going very or moderately well in Iraq, compared with 40% last month.

64% say it is very or somewhat likely a democratic form of government will be established in Iraq, up from 47% last month.

10% say more U.S. troops are needed in Iraq, down from 24% who felt that way before the elections.

50% say they approve of how Bush is handling Iraq, up from 42% last month; 48% say they disapprove, down from 56% last month.

The poll suggests a broadly positive environment for Bush's party. Republicans receive a 56% favorable rating, compared with 46% for Democrats — a 10-point advantage, up from 6 points in September. And 55% say Bush's policies will move the country in the right direction — up from 51% last month.

Dowd says Bush is at the high end of his approval range, given "how polarized the country is." But he says the elevation should last longer than the usual blip because "people see President Bush's presidency as so linked to Iraq."

Garin calls it "a difficult time for Democrats to get their message across." He says the balance between parties should become more even as the debate turns to Social Security and the budget.

[mtboone]

It just proves that people have stopped listening to the Kerry and Kennedy's "BS" about what is wrong with America and how evil they think America is. Now if we can get people to stop listening to the MSM, we might have our Country back.
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Terry Boone PCF 90
Qui Nhon 68-69

[shawa]

It is telling that none of the Talking Heads have mentioned
this new poll.
The minute a negative poll comes out, its the lead story; but when
Bush's numbers go up--nary a whisper!
They still think they are only source for information, and if they don't
mention it, no one will know.

Delusional!!

[blue9t3]

I hope he doesnt end up just spinning his heals, but hes gona have to come up with a better game with illegal border crossings, I think people are fed up. Arizona took the first step
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MOPAR-BUYER