’)Republicans repeat, mantra like, that Bush’s approval numbers do not matter, and when they’re continually this bad, I can see why.
George W. Bush’s approval ratings for handling his job, Iraq, terrorism and the economy are all at career-lows. Sixty percent of Americans disapprove of his work in office overall, a level of discontent unseen since recession chased his father from office.
With an indictment in the White House, just 40 percent call Bush honest and trustworthy fewer than half for the first time and 67 percent rate his handling of ethics in government negatively. Fewer than half call him a strong leader, another first. Two-thirds say he doesn’t understand their problems, and nearly six in 10 say he doesn’t share their values again career-worst personal ratings on these attributes.
On Iraq, a new high 55 percent say the Bush administration intentionally misled the American public in making its case for war, up 12 points from last spring. Sixty percent say the war was not worth fighting, up seven points just since August to another high.
While the presidency should not be ruled by polls, it is the hallmark of a leader to have at least 50+% of the country thinking you’re doing a good job. If you believe in the CEO model, you are responsible to your shareholders. Right now, George W. Bush is at about the level of Enron.
But you don’t get to just win an election then become unaccountable. Every day the American president must work for the people of America, and it’s clear that the slash and burn path of Bush isn’t working out. Far and away the most important issue on the table is Iraq, and it is on that issue that Bush has lost significant ground, compounded by his response to the loss of 2,000+ American lives: make a speech saying the same things he said a year ago, and two years ago.
From a political perspective, it means a continued rejection of his agenda, from Iraq to Social Security privatization to cronyism and corruption in the White House. It’s why Republican candidates in red states like Jerry Kilgore don’t want to be seen with Bush, let alone Republicans in blue states like Arnold Schwarzenneger don’t want the stench of 43 on them.
If the best thing that can be said about the man is that he has good intentions, then it must be remembered that good intentions is the cheapest of the virtues. His reign could be the most expensive this country has ever seen, and I don’t mean just cash.
Draft Article of Impeachment
ARTICLE I
Using the powers and influence of the office of President of the United States, George Walker Bush, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in disregard of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has repeatedly engaged in conduct that resulted in misuse and abuse of his high office, impaired the due and proper administration of justice and the conduct of lawful inquiries, and contravened the laws governing the integrity of the judicial and legislative branches and the truth-seeking purpose of coordinate investigative proceedings.
This misuse and abuse of office has included one or more of the following:
(1) As President, using the attributes of office, George Walker Bush willfully made false and misleading public statements for the purpose of deceiving the people of the United States in order to take the nation to war under false pretenses.
(2) As President, using the attributes of office, George Walker Bush willfully made false and misleading statements to members of his cabinet, and White House aides, so that these Federal employees would repeat such false and misleading statements publicly, thereby utilizing public resources for the purpose of deceiving the people of the United States, in order to continue concealing his misconduct and to escape accountability for such misconduct. The false and misleading statements made by George Walker Bush to members of his cabinet and White House aides were repeated by those members and aides, causing the people of the United States to receive false and misleading information from high government officials.
(3) As President, using the Office of White House Counsel, George Walker Bush frivolously and corruptly asserted executive privilege, which is intended to protect from disclosure communications regarding the constitutional functions of the Executive, and which may be exercised only by the President, with respect to communications other than those regarding the constitutional functions of the Executive, for the purpose of delaying and obstructing a Federal criminal investigation and the proceedings of a Federal grand jury.
In all of this, George Walker Bush has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed his trust as President, and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, George Walker Bush, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
If the low approval numbers make you feel good, then they have at least accounted for something tangible. So over eight years, you get a few low poll numbers, we get tax cuts for the middle class and a whole gaggle decent judges. Tell you what, lets do this again in 2008. I believe, I and President McCain could stand another eight years of your crowing about poll numbers.
Dugger
Dugger;
What happened to “good intentions does not erase bad judgement”?
“I’ve always been amazed that the very people forced to live in the worst parts of town, go to the worst schools, and who have it the hardest are always the first to step up, to defend us. They serve so that we don’t have to. They offer to give up their lives so that we can be free. It is remarkably their gift to us. And all they ask for in return is that we never send them into harm’s way unless it is absolutely necessary. Will they ever trust us again?” –Michael Moore
“55 percent of those polled say the Bush administration intentionally misled the American public in making its case for war” – ABC News
Michael Moore was right.
Dugger –
You seem to be overlooking a little matter of chronology here. These poll numbers are coming after your so-called “middle class” tax cuts and these oh so wonderful judges. They are coming after No Child Left Behind, the invasion of Iraq, the social security effort, the, again, so-called economic “recovery.” These poll number reflect the public’s response to the major initiatives and policies put forward by the Bush administration.
Before 9-11 Bush was around 50 percent job approval. 9-11 shot him into the stratosphere but its been a steady erosion ever since. (http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=728) His numbers haven’t just settled back to normal as 9-11 receded, they’ve dropped through the floor to sub 40 percent. Every single piece of Bush’s domestic agenda could still be in place but if you take away 9-11 what happens? Where would his poll numbers be right now?
Still there semant.
MM has never been correct about the socio-economic and racial makeup of those who serve. He is even less correct about the makeup of those who see combat, are wounder, or killed.
If you’d like to compare the evidence, I’d be glad to do so.
frame
I freely concede his poll numbers are very low. And I don’t particualary care at all. He’s weak candidate, a big-spending moderate Republican, who manged, through Democratic incompetence, to get elected twice. I’ll take that. Its all about 2008 now. And, I’d also agree Bush will have very little effect on 2008. Unfortunately for the left, he’s still president until then. Its now all about judges, but the Democratic party is focusing on the Scooter Libby indictments – which will give them zilch, anyway.
Dugger
We’ll see about the Scooter thing. Fitzgerald isn’t done yet, remember. I also gather, since you don’t care about polls, that this whole Plamegate thing has had a big impact on Bush’s honor and integrity image. Like I said, we’ll see in 2008. But I’d wager now that Republican contenders will be running from Bush, and his record, like both had avian flu. More tax cuts? Shift the courts further right? Maintain troop levels until the Iraqis stand up? None of that’s going to fly in 2008 when the bills of the Bush administration start coming due.
frame,
You have zero idea if this Plame kerfluffle has had any impact on Bush’s honor. Try again.
I agree, however, that Republicans, while not avoiding Bush to the level that red state Democrats avoided Kerry and the national party in 2004, will still not rely very heavily on Bush. I’ve mentioned Bush fatigue before. It seems to often be a factor with a two term candidate (remember AlGore running away from Bubba).
And I am just making a prediction on Plame/Libby. Agree all is TBD.
Dugger
Dugger