Them Dems

archived: 22 - 28 Apr, 2007 Back Next

UPDATED: APRIL 25, 2007

DEMOCRACY CORPS

Democracy Corps has issued a probative analysis of an important question for Democrats. With Bush’s approval ratings stuck in the mid-30 percent range for months, Democracy Corps asks:

Given the sharp partisan divide in the numbers, with Independents siding overwhelmingly with Democrats on virtually every political measure, the lack of change in these key [polling] measures raises the questions of whether we can now say that Bush and Republicans have reached their floor and what would have to happen to break their current level of base support.

Democracy Corps correctly notes that Congressional Democrats are receiving higher approval ratings that Republicans. Yet, Democrats receive negative ratings on the key issues of the economy, ethics in government, the situation in Iraq, and immigration issues.

Democracy Corps concludes:

Most importantly, Democrats were elected to enact real change in Washington. Voters still express optimism in Democrats’ ability and commitment to deliver on this promise, but barely 1-in-4 currently believe the Congress has to this point accomplished ‘a great deal’ (3 percent) or ‘a good amount,’ compared to 73 percent who feel they have accomplished ‘not too much’ (56 percent) or ‘nothing at all’ (17 percent). Voters see a good start for Democrats, but still much work to be done.

TPJ concurs with Democracy Corps, to the extent of their conclusions. Americans are facing major issues beyond the war in Iraq; jobs, education, social security and health care. They want a government that can effectively fix the problems they are facing. Time for Congressional Democrats to push a broad based effective agenda is narrowing – the question is whether they will deliver.

Some Democrats “get” the message. Read one proposal by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley that expresses what Democrats should be about in today’s TAR HEEL DEMS, GOV. EASLEY SCORES

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UPDATED: April 22, 2007

POOF!

At a recent town hall meeting in Ohio, Bush explained his horrid standing in the polls:

"I've been in politics long enough to know that polls just go poof at times."

Like his Attorney General, who is “disconnected” from the political reality of Washington, Bush is “disconnected” from the reality of his standing with the American public. The “poof” in his case is now prolonged and historic. Bush’s monthly average of polls:

1. Has been below 50% for the past consecutive 24 months.
2. Has exceeded 40% in just one of the past 12 months.
3. Has not climbed out of the 30% range in the past 7 months.

Poof, indeed!

TPJ'S BUSH WATCH
TPJ'S BUSH WATCH
		Approve	Trail Mo	Disapprove	No Opinion	Spread

	2007

FOX/Opinion Dynamics	4/17-18/07	38		54	8	-16
USA Today/Gallup	4/13-15/07	36		60	4	-24
ABC/Washington Post	4/12-15/07	35		62	2	-27
CBS	4/9-12/07	31		61	8	-30
L.A. Times	4/5-9/07	36		62	2	-26
Time	4/5-9/07	33		59	8	-26
USA Today/Gallup	4/2-5/07	38		58	4	-20
AP-Ipsos	4/2-4/07	35		62	3	-27
Diageo/Hotline RV	3/29 - 4/1/07	35		61	5	-26


	April Avg	35.22	1.79	59.89	4.89	-24.67

	March Avg	33.43	-0.24	60.43	6.14	-27.00
	February Avg	33.67	-0.22	60.17	6.08	-26.50
	January Avg	33.89	-1.61	61.61	4.83	-27.72

	2006
	December Avg	35.50	-0.93	59.25	5.42	-23.75
	November Avg	36.43	-1.07	58.00	5.50	-21.57
	October Avg	37.50	-3.42	57.11	5.36	-19.61
	September Avg	40.92	2.64	54.23	4.77	-13.31
	August Avg	38.29	0.59	57.14	4.64	-18.86
	July Avg	37.70	0.49	56.40	5.90	-18.70
	June Avg	37.21	3.05	56.79	5.93	-19.57
	May Avg	34.17	-1.58	60.33	5.91	-26.17
	April Avg	35.75	-1.35	57.75	6.82	-22.00
	March Avg	37.10	-2.54	57.30	5.80	-20.20
	February Avg	39.64	-2.42	55.21	5.23	-15.57
	January Avg	42.07	1.32	53.27	5.07	-11.20

	2005
	December Avg	40.75	2.83	54.25	6.33	-13.50
	November Avg	37.92	-1.93	56.46	6.09	-18.54
	October Avg	39.86	-1.46	55.07	5.58	-15.21