New polls reveal that most Americans aren't sure now why they voted for President Bush or what it is they want him to do in his second term. But they are united on one front: 49% of Americans say that Mr. Bush is a uniter. The other 49% call him a divider.
Inaugural backlash: majority say 'no balls' during wartime
By Deanna Swift
WASHINGTON, DC—With the sounds of "Let the Eagle Soar" now just a quiet memory, new polls point to some decidedly mixed winds beneath Mr. Bush's wings. Many of the Americans who sent the president back to the White House in November now seem unclear about why they voted the way the did, and fewer still seem certain of what it is they expect the president to do after he is sworn in. Americans are also divided on whether or not President Bush is a "uniter" or a "divider."
According to the ABC/Washington Post poll, the president's overall job rating currently stands at 52%, making Mr. Bush a standout among second-term presidents during the past 56 years; only Richard Milhouse Nixon began his repeat stint in the Oval Office with a lower number. But the current president does have a majority with him on one point: 55% say that they expect the president to do a better job in his second term than he did in his first, even if they seem unclear on what precisely would constitute an improved performance.
Not everyone saw doom and gloom for President Bush in these mixed figures turned up in the poll. Unlike the elite liberal media, the "people's press," including the Washington Times, was quick to herald the survey's good news: 45% of adults polled like where the president is leading us.
No balls
Meanwhile, most Americans seem not to have caught the inaugural fever that took hold in the nation’s capitol this week; by more than a 2 to 1 margin—66% to 32%—those surveyed said that they would have preferred a smaller celebration than the lavish display of balls and galas put on by the GOP. Respondents were not asked whether they would prefer to attend the Freedom Ball or the Commander-in-Chief Ball. Nor were they asked to choose between items on last night's inaugural menu.
He values my problems
In a telling indicator of the mood—and minds—of the country, 54% to 45% indicated that President Bush shares their values. But only 43% said that the president understands the problems of people like them. Back in January of 2002, 61% of Americans believed that President Bush understood their problems. The poll did not identify the percentage of Americans for whom Bush’s values are the problem. (Click on thumbnails to enlarge graphics.)
Of course, there are some Americans who still feel that the president gets their troubles. A majority of three key groups rates Mr. Bush as tops when it comes to understanding what ails them: republicans, conservatives, and evangelical White protestants. The ABC-Washington Post poll confirms a post-election poll done by the Fox News Channel, which found that in the wake of the 2004 election, the rich and Republicans were most 'thankful.'
It's war—or not
Overall, the public is decidedly mixed about the second term agenda that Bush has laid out. While the top guns of his administration have indicated that they want to bring their full force to bear on domestic issues, a majority of Americans thinks that Bush should focus on the war he began during his last term. 61% say that Iraq should be the "highest" priority for Bush and the Congress. Just 19% said that tax reform was a priority, and 13% said that they thought that the president should focus on medical malpractice and class-action lawsuits. Respondents were not asked to rank in order of preference what countries they believe the US should invade next.
Despite feeling cool to much of Mr. Bush's agenda, most Americans feel that the Democrats should compromise in making sure that he accomplishes as much of it as possible. Seven in ten Americans say that they believe that congressional Democrats should go along with Bush even if it means compromising on their party's core principles. Respondents were not asked if they were able to identify what those core principles might be.
Methodology
The ABC-Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone from January 12-16 among a random sample of 1,007 adults and has a three point error margin. Polling was done by TNS, one of the world's leading market information groups, providing market measurement, analysis, and insight through a global network of operating companies in 70 countries. Working with national and multi-national organizations, TNS helps their clients to develop effective business strategies and enhance relationships with their customers. TNS: The sixth sense of business.™
Deanna Swift can be reached at [email protected]
Whoopee, We're all going to die!
Posted by: R.L. | January 21, 2005 at 04:48 PM
I voted against John (Scary) Kerry. The democrats are very scary people and the people that vote for them are almost as scary.
Posted by: Erich G. | January 21, 2005 at 05:48 AM