Sunday, June 22, 2008
Watch those dates: Americans are smarter than we look
Here is my take on the ABC - Washington Post opinion poll that just came out. Notice the dates on these figures.
Topic: George W. Bush approval ratings
As of 6/15/08 (recent poll) 29% of Americans polled approved of the job George W. Bush is doing. In the same poll 68% disapproved of his performance, and 3% had no opinion. That's now. On 5/23/04, his rating first dipped below 50%, hitting 47% approval around the time of the Abu Ghraib revelations. That's down from 71% approval 4/30/03 when the Bush government was declaring Iraq operations complete. Before the Iraq action - 2/9/03 - he had been approved of by 64% of respondents. Bush polled highest on 9/13/01 (just after the 9/11 bombings) at 86%, up from 55% on 9/9/01.
Topic: Is the country on the right track?
The current figures are 14% for yes, 84% no, and only 2% not sure. The last time it was so low -- 14% yes, 83% no, and 3% not sure -- was 6/7/92, the year Bill Clinton was elected after 12 years of Republican rule.
Topic: Is the Iraq war worth it?
Again, events are reflected in the opinions. This poll shows 34% for the affirmative and 63% feeling negative. The one taken 9/8/04, at the time of the Fallujah offensive, was a little closer at 51% yes and 45% no, while optimism reigned on 4/30/03, at the time we were supposed to have completed Iraq operations, with 70% yes answers and 27% answering no.
Topic: George W. Bush approval ratings
As of 6/15/08 (recent poll) 29% of Americans polled approved of the job George W. Bush is doing. In the same poll 68% disapproved of his performance, and 3% had no opinion. That's now. On 5/23/04, his rating first dipped below 50%, hitting 47% approval around the time of the Abu Ghraib revelations. That's down from 71% approval 4/30/03 when the Bush government was declaring Iraq operations complete. Before the Iraq action - 2/9/03 - he had been approved of by 64% of respondents. Bush polled highest on 9/13/01 (just after the 9/11 bombings) at 86%, up from 55% on 9/9/01.
Topic: Is the country on the right track?
The current figures are 14% for yes, 84% no, and only 2% not sure. The last time it was so low -- 14% yes, 83% no, and 3% not sure -- was 6/7/92, the year Bill Clinton was elected after 12 years of Republican rule.
Topic: Is the Iraq war worth it?
Again, events are reflected in the opinions. This poll shows 34% for the affirmative and 63% feeling negative. The one taken 9/8/04, at the time of the Fallujah offensive, was a little closer at 51% yes and 45% no, while optimism reigned on 4/30/03, at the time we were supposed to have completed Iraq operations, with 70% yes answers and 27% answering no.
Labels: Bush approval ratings, Iraq war, public opinion
