Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=" target="_blank">http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNat ion.asp?Page=</a>\Nation\archive\200510\NAT20051024a.html >>A new Zogby America poll says President Bush's job approval rating has rebounded from the low point recorded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The survey, conducted Oct. 19-21, found that 45 percent of those polled gave Bush a positive approval rating. That puts the approval rating back in the range where it has been for most of Bush's second term. The poll showed that 52 percent of voters hold a favorable opinion of President Bush, although 53 percent don't like the way he's handling the war on terror. Fifty percent said they believe the passage of an Iraqi constitution is a step in the right direction and will lead to peace and democracy in that country. However, 39 percent said they believe that Iraq is on the brink of civil war. Just three weeks ago, 40 percent of those polled said the nation was on the right track. That number has now jumped to 45 percent. The poll found that Southerners continue to hold the most optimistic outlook on the nation's direction. The poll is based on the responses of 1005 likely voters chosen at random nationwide. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percent.<<
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>That puts the approval rating back in the range where it has been for most of Bush's second term.<< Which is miles below where it was through most of his first term. LOL!
Originally Posted By DlandDug Polls don't actually tell us whether Bush is doing a good job or not. They only tell us what the perception of his job performance is. The aftermath of Hurrican Katrina is a good example. IF Bush had delivered inspiring speeches and appeared for photo ops, it seems unlikely that his actual job performance would be reflected in the polls. If he had done a great job, but been relentlessly hammered in the press, the polls would probably reflect negatively. Or if he had done a bad job and been off golfing in Crawford, that would be reflected in the polls. Basically, I haven't viewed polls as a measure of reality since the first George Bush was President. But they are a very useful gauge for understanding people's perceptions, and the way they can be manipulated.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer >>Polls don't actually tell us whether Bush is doing a good job or not. << Yep. You'll know that from how many days it took for federal relief to get to disaster areas, how many Americans have died, how many indictments have been handed down against his staff, and which best bud he nominates to a position of national significance next, whether his tax cuts will help you or your wealthy neighbor more, how much money he's cutting in Medicaid and other services from the poor, and how much debt we're taking on for an elective war.
