Comments on: Flashback http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/ Like Kryptonite To Stupid Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:42:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Wilbur http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/#comment-33646 Wilbur Thu, 11 May 2006 18:05:56 +0000 http://improveman.com/ow2008/?p=1981#comment-33646 The amazing thing about these polls is that every other president who has approached these abysmal figures (Carter, Bush I, Early Clinton), did so in the throes of an economic downturn. Many economists and political scientists will tell you that you can look at certain economic indicators and predict the popularity of the incumbency with surprising accuracy. Currently, while there are definitely systemic problems in the economy, things aren't too bad for most people. Employment is high and the stock market is up. In spite of this, the vast majority of Americans realize that Bush is doing a horrible job. The most common right wing argument is not so much that polls in general mean nothing but that this poll in particular means nothing, since Bush is not running for re-election. That's just whistling past the gallows, of course. What these numbers mean is that Bush has no political capital with which to enact his own agenda, and he's an albatross around the necks of congressional and gubernatorial republicans in the upcoming elections. Plus republican campaigns are going to have to work harder than ever before to get out the vote. No reason for dem. complacency, however! The amazing thing about these polls is that every other president who has approached these abysmal figures (Carter, Bush I, Early Clinton), did so in the throes of an economic downturn. Many economists and political scientists will tell you that you can look at certain economic indicators and predict the popularity of the incumbency with surprising accuracy. Currently, while there are definitely systemic problems in the economy, things aren’t too bad for most people. Employment is high and the stock market is up. In spite of this, the vast majority of Americans realize that Bush is doing a horrible job.

The most common right wing argument is not so much that polls in general mean nothing but that this poll in particular means nothing, since Bush is not running for re-election. That’s just whistling past the gallows, of course. What these numbers mean is that Bush has no political capital with which to enact his own agenda, and he’s an albatross around the necks of congressional and gubernatorial republicans in the upcoming elections. Plus republican campaigns are going to have to work harder than ever before to get out the vote. No reason for dem. complacency, however!

]]> By: duros62 http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/#comment-33645 duros62 Thu, 11 May 2006 18:05:49 +0000 http://improveman.com/ow2008/?p=1981#comment-33645 Does that mean that when his poll numbers were over 90% post-9/11, those polls were rigged too? Does that mean that when his poll numbers were over 90% post-9/11, those polls were rigged too?

]]> By: factcheck http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/#comment-33644 factcheck Thu, 11 May 2006 17:05:47 +0000 http://improveman.com/ow2008/?p=1981#comment-33644 Adam, the people over there think that Google is biased, so how are you going to talk some sense to that? Adam, the people over there think that Google is biased, so how are you going to talk some sense to that?

]]> By: Lost Adam http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/#comment-33643 Lost Adam Thu, 11 May 2006 15:05:09 +0000 http://improveman.com/ow2008/?p=1981#comment-33643 Hah. I keep asking the guys over at Blogs For Bush that at what point does the margin of their precieved bias run out and actual slumping numbers begin? Does 31% really mean 40%? Do you really want to brag about any sort of majority hating the president? I think they should just stick to "polls mean nothing" arguments and cease saying these polls are biased... Hah. I keep asking the guys over at Blogs For Bush that at what point does the margin of their precieved bias run out and actual slumping numbers begin? Does 31% really mean 40%? Do you really want to brag about any sort of majority hating the president? I think they should just stick to “polls mean nothing” arguments and cease saying these polls are biased…

]]> By: buma http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/#comment-33642 buma Thu, 11 May 2006 08:05:01 +0000 http://improveman.com/ow2008/?p=1981#comment-33642 Don't forget how DeLay's DeParture robbed Democrats of their best chance to make gains in November. Don’t forget how DeLay’s DeParture robbed Democrats of their best chance to make gains in November.

]]> By: Macswain http://www.oliverwillis.com/2006/05/10/flashback/#comment-33641 Macswain Thu, 11 May 2006 06:05:27 +0000 http://improveman.com/ow2008/?p=1981#comment-33641 No ... but I remeber all the righties lecturing us about how Feingold's censure motion was going to reverse Bush's freefall. No … but I remeber all the righties lecturing us about how Feingold’s censure motion was going to reverse Bush’s freefall.

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