NBC/WSJ poll: President’s, Congress’ ratings drop to lowest levels ever

[MacNut]

WASHINGTON - As President Bush attempts to revive the controversial immigration reform bill he supports, the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that Republicans are abandoning the president, which has dropped his job-approval rating below 30 percent -- his lowest mark ever in the survey.

But he isn’t the only one whose support is on the decline in the poll. Congress’ approval rating has plummeted eight points, bringing it below even Bush’s. And just one in five believe the country is on the right track, which is the lowest number on this question in nearly 15 years.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19209733/

In the Democratic race, Clinton has a 14-point lead (39-25 percent) over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. They’re followed by former North Carolina Sen. Edwards at 15 percent; no other Democratic presidential candidate registers at more than 4 percent in the poll. In April, Clinton had just a five-point lead (36-31 percent) over Obama, and Edwards was at 20 percent.

In the GOP field, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani leads the pack at 29 percent. Fred Thompson comes in second at 20 percent, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Arizona Sen. John McCain are tied for third at 14 percent each.

The top two Democrats, though, seem to have upper hand in potential match-ups against the top two Republicans. According to the poll, Clinton leads Giuliani, 48-43 percent (a reversal since March, when Giuliani led Clinton by five points). And Obama tops Thompson, 50-31 percent.

[Dont Hurt Me]

He is selling us out, its that simple.

[srf4real]

Let's see, what campaign promises has the new Congress actually produced results on... hmm.. still thinking...

At least GW had the guts to tell us straight up - we're goin to war, boys, and it ain't gonna be pretty.:cool:

[biturbomunkie]

i can see why people are more upset with congress than the president.

[Ugg]

Let's see, what campaign promises has the new Congress actually produced results on... hmm.. still thinking...

At least GW had the guts to tell us straight up - we're goin to war, boys, and it ain't gonna be pretty.:cool:

They've done a darned good job restraining the right wing fascists who call themselves patriotic, that's for sure.

bushco also told us that the war would be over in a matter of months, didn't they? Lies and more lies is all bushco's done for the US.

[srf4real]

bushco also told us that the war would be over in a matter of months, didn't they? Lies and more lies is all bushco's done for the US.
Actually, Bush told us this war against Jihaad and Al Quillya could last decades, from the beginning. The radical left Democrats weren't listening, they just voted with public opinion after 9/11.

[cycocelica]

Bush has 585 days left as Big Boy on Campus. He doesn't care what his rating is.

[zimv20]

Bush has 585 left as Big Boy on Campus. He doesn't care what his rating is.

for the sake of his party, he should (http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bush-no-money-magnet-2007-06-13.html):

Financial projections for the President's Dinner tonight confirm that Republican confidence in the president is in a state of collapse.
The National Republican Congressional Committee's (NRCC) fundraising goal is $7.5 million, which is half what was raised last year. But to reach this lesser goal, each individual lawmaker has been asked to raise the same amount as 12 months ago. In other words, the NRCC is assuming lawmakers won't be either willing or able to hit the targets they managed last year.

[...]

(In 2005, the last non-election year, House Republicans set a $14 million goal for the dinner.)

[cycocelica]

for the sake of his party, he should (http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bush-no-money-magnet-2007-06-13.html):

I know he should but I just believe he doesn't give a ***** which is really quite sad.

[Ugg]

Actually, Bush told us this war against Jihaad and Al Quillya could last decades, from the beginning. The radical left Democrats weren't listening, they just voted with public opinion after 9/11.

Let's see you explain away his Mission Accomplished fiasco. bushco only cares about making the rich richer, not about making the world a better place.

[SMM]

Actually, Bush told us this war against Jihaad and Al Quillya could last decades, from the beginning. The radical left Democrats weren't listening, they just voted with public opinion after 9/11.

The war against the Islamic Jihad and their militant arm, AQ, is NOT the same as the war in Iraq. What do you not understand about this? Iraq has no established links to terrorism.

Bush, and his administration, lied about virtually everything which led us to war. They lied. They knew there were no WMD and Iraq was not involved with terrorism. They are killing innocent Americans and Iraqis everyday for one reason - profiteering. You really need to wake up.

[obeygiant]

Al Quillya

Is that pronouced I'll Killya? Good one. ;)

[leekohler]

People are PO'd about two things: Iraq and that ridiculous immigration reform bill. Congress and the president deserve these low numbers.

[FFTT]

It gets even better....

Now we have an energy Bill doomed to fail because the mismanaging fat cats
in the auto industry and the fatter cats in the oil industry own congress.

The food industry and the cattle industry won't like it either because the price
of grain is going up to fuel the bio fuel industry.

Big energy won't go for it because they have to clean up their act.

So the planet can turn into a cesspool for all they care as long as it's better for their bottom line.

[solvs]

Actually, Bush told us this war against Jihaad and Al Quillya could last decades, from the beginning.
But he said Iraq would be a walk in the park. Cheney and Rummie even said it would over in months, if not weeks. And as mentioned, Iraq has nothing to do with the real WOT. We pulled resources from places that were actual threats, places like the 'stans where those who planned those attacks against us actually still are to go to Iraq. With no exit strategy.

Christ, you'd think this would be a given by now, and I can't believe we still have to point it out.

The radical left Democrats weren't listening, they just voted with public opinion after 9/11.
The same "radical left" that has done nothing to stop the "radical right" and their screw ups, and continues to do nothing? Do you think their numbers are so low because they're too far left? Why do you think we elected them in the 2006 landslide? We're sick of the war, sick of the failures and incompetence and corruption. We want change.

If anything, we're angry with the Dems for, in this case, not being enough to the left on a lot of issues.

[it5five]

I'm furious with Congress because they aren't liberals. They are center-right do-nothings who want to pass a lot of non-binding resolutions.

This country hasn't had a real left since the 60's/70's. I'd do anything to have one again.

[srf4real]

Let's see you explain away his Mission Accomplished fiasco.Have you seen Saddam's head around? I think he lost it.

The war against the Islamic Jihad and their militant arm, AQ, is NOT the same as the war in Iraq. What do you not understand about this? Iraq has no established links to terrorism.

Bush, and his administration, lied about virtually everything which led us to war. They lied. They knew there were no WMD and Iraq was not involved with terrorism. They are killing innocent Americans and Iraqis everyday for one reason - profiteering. You really need to wake up.lies. propaganda. Reading too many fantasy liberal blogs.:rolleyes:

I'm furious with Congress because they aren't liberals. They are center-right do-nothings who want to pass a lot of non-binding resolutions.

This country hasn't had a real left since the 60's/70's. I'd do anything to have one again.amen. Peace, dude.

[leekohler]

Have you seen Saddam's head around? I think he lost it.

Oh you're a real wit. How long did it take you to come up with that original piece? :rolleyes:

lies. propaganda. Reading too many fantasy liberal blogs.:rolleyes:

You're either joking, or ignorant. There has never been one shred of evidence to support the administration's claims. That's documented fact, and the military admits as much itself.

amen. Peace, dude.

No comment. I don't need to get banned.

[it5five]

You're either joking, or ignorant. There has never been one shred of evidence to support the administration's claims. That's documented fact, and the military admits as much itself.

It still amazes me that some people just choose to ignore certain facts. The right has a serious problem with anti-intellectualism and anti-learning in general. Hopefully due to those two things, the neo-conservative movement will die years from now when it's only supporters are less intelligent than they are now.

[Swarmlord]

<snip>
This country hasn't had a real left since the 60's/70's. I'd do anything to have one again.

Whereas I and millions like me have been working tirelessly to make sure it doesn't. :)

[Swarmlord]

People are PO'd about two things: Iraq and that ridiculous immigration reform bill. Congress and the president deserve these low numbers.

I certainly agree with you on that immigration reform bill. That's got bilge written all over it and now the President not only waded hip deep into it, but now he's still trying to walk all over the house tracking that bilge around again.

[leekohler]

I certainly agree with you on that immigration reform bill. That's got bilge written all over it and now the President not only waded hip deep into it, but now he's still trying to walk all over the house tracking that bilge around again.

I don't know anyone who thinks that bill is a good idea.

[skunk]

Have you seen Saddam's head around? I think he lost it.Careful. Your Christianity is slipping. You should be ashamed, but probably aren't.

lies. propaganda. Reading too many fantasy liberal blogs.:rolleyes:Have you any reason whatever for claiming this? Or are you just morphing into a despicable right-wing troll with a total disregard for the proven facts?

[skunk]

Whereas I and millions like me have been working tirelessly to make sure it doesn't. :)I sincerely hope there aren't millions like you. Indeed, the poll figures would indicate that you and your clones are dwindling as we speak. Mind the door doesn't catch you on your way out.

[leekohler]

Whereas I and millions like me have been working tirelessly to make sure it doesn't. :)

And the results of that are horrifying.

[srf4real]

Sorry, that last post of mine was a little sarcastic. Right after work... long annoying day...:o

At least everybody agrees on one thing; the current administration is whacked and the new Congress is impotent.:rolleyes:

[obeygiant]

I'm furious with Congress because they aren't liberals. They are center-right do-nothings who want to pass a lot of non-binding resolutions.


I wonder who in Congress you consider "center-right"? Are you so far left that you consider Sen. Kennedy center-right? The line between right and left doesn't move because those on a favored side don't act the way thats expected. Besides, it's about time to realize that republican or democrat doesn't matter, its just different icing on the same cake. They're POLITICIANS!

[MacNut]

I wonder who in Congress you consider "center-right"? Are you so far left that you consider Sen. Kennedy center-right? The line between right and left doesn't move because those on a favored side don't act the way thats expected. Besides, it's about time to realize that republican or democrat doesn't matter, its just different icing on the same cake. They're POLITICIANS!I would love to see some true Independents, but neither side would ever go for that because then we would actually have free thinkers in Washington.:rolleyes:

[solvs]

Whereas I and millions like me have been working tirelessly to make sure it doesn't. :)
Doing a bang up job of it. Thanks to the incompetence, screwups, and corruption of those like you, a majority of the country can't run fast and far enough away from your side. I had a little of that post 9/11 thinking myself, but Iraq pulled me back and, like ~70%+ of the rest of the country, I'm coming to my senses.

I just wish Congress would wake up and realize it like the rest of us have.

I wonder who in Congress you consider "center-right"?
Who do you consider far left, because there aren't as many as you'd think.

I love the fact that someone like me is considered far left, when in any other country (and actually even this one just a few years ago) I'd be considered quite moderate.

[Thomas Veil]

I love the fact that someone like me is considered far left, when in any other country (and actually even this one just a few years ago) I'd be considered quite moderate.Same here.

In Congress you may consider Bernie Sanders far left, and maybe Dennis Kucinich and Ted Kennedy. (Back in the '60s, they'd have been just typical liberals.) And after that.......who? Sherrod Brown? Barack Obama? Definitely on the left, but hardly the far left.

As to Election 2008: it'll be interesting to see how many "far left" candidates the Democrats field for congressional positions. They may be the only ones who give us the kind of Congress the people apparently want.

[Queso]

I love the fact that someone like me is considered far left, when in any other country (and actually even this one just a few years ago) I'd be considered quite moderate.

Same here.
Neither or you are left-wing as I see it. Neither is Ted Kennedy. Not by a long shot.

[Thomas Veil]

Neither or you are left-wing as I see itEh. Depends on your POV.

If it were up to me, I'd break up all the biggest corporations and put super-tight government controls on their charters; legalize gay marriage; provide all kinds of Euro-style social programs (such as paid college tuition) to everyone; institute universal health care; seize the airwaves back from the broadcasters; and tax the hell out of the rich to pay for it all. For a start.

I'm sure in obeygiant's eyes that makes me a Communist, but in reality it doesn't exactly make me a moderate either. :D

[MacNut]

I think most of America wants a middle ground, they are sick of the far left and far right. They want a government that works together and puts the party fighting aside for the good of the country.

[FFTT]

I think most of America wants a middle ground, they are sick of the far left and far right. They want a government that works together and puts the party fighting aside for the good of the country.


If you take a look at voter turnout, the majority of people don't even bother, especially in local elections where their interests actually can make a difference.

If we adopt the WHY BOTHER attitude, then surely nothing will change and only those with extreme views will have their voices heard.

[Queso]

I think most of America wants a middle ground, they are sick of the far left and far right. They want a government that works together and puts the party fighting aside for the good of the country.
What do they want then? You don't have a far-left party in The States, not even a centre-left one. You have one centre-right and one far-right.

If it were up to me, I'd break up all the biggest corporations and put super-tight government controls on their charters; legalize gay marriage; provide all kinds of Euro-style social programs (such as paid college tuition) to everyone; institute universal health care; seize the airwaves back from the broadcasters; and tax the hell out of the rich to pay for it all. For a start.

I'm sure in obeygiant's eyes that makes me a Communist, but in reality it doesn't exactly make me a moderate either. :D
OK, so you do count as left-wing.. Thanks for the clarification :)

[MacNut]

What do they want then? You don't have a far-left party in The States, not even a centre-left one. You have one centre-right and one far-right.I would get rid of the party system all together. I want independent thinkers not what the party wants you to think. Nobody has a voice and just votes down party lines.

[Queso]

I would get rid of the party system all together. I want independent thinkers not what the party wants you to think. Nobody has a voice and just votes down party lines.
Now you're talking. That would mean every candidate standing for election would have to explain exactly where they stood on issues rather than relying on party supporters' votes. You'd get real choice about who you elected into office. Combine that with single-transferable vote elections and you'd end up with a system where each representative actually was accountable to their constituents.

[Kashchei]

I wonder who in Congress you consider "center-right"? Are you so far left that you consider Sen. Kennedy center-right? The line between right and left doesn't move because those on a favored side don't act the way thats expected. Besides, it's about time to realize that republican or democrat doesn't matter, its just different icing on the same cake. They're POLITICIANS!

You have to hand it to the GOP--they are very good in their use of language. By screaming "liberal" at anything that would be moderate Republican 40 years ago, they have managed to move the entire political spectrum to the right. For a party bent on untrammeled power, this must be deeply rewarding. It is so nice to be in Europe right now, where political conversations are based on logic rather than emotion. I wish I didn't have to return to my deeply red state next month . . . .

[TequilaBoobs]

obama/gore 2008 or hilary/gore 2008 :D

bush must be one depressed cowboy as of late, unless he's an example of that ol' adage 'ignorance is bliss'. but i believe he's scrambling - not to do something wonderful before his term is up, but to do something before it's official he's the worst president, ever!

[obeygiant]

Who do you consider far left, because there aren't as many as you'd think.


kucinich and kennedy. are who I consider far-left, the others are just left. and again its not me calling the dems in congress "center-right" or far-left or anything.

[leekohler]

kucinich and kennedy. are who I consider far-left, the others are just left. and again its not me calling the dems in congress "center-right" or far-left or anything.

Kucinich and Kennedy? Wow- this country has moved to the right when people start considering those guys far left. Frightening that. Crazy maybe- but not far left.

[it5five]

Eh. Depends on your POV.

If it were up to me, I'd break up all the biggest corporations and put super-tight government controls on their charters; legalize gay marriage; provide all kinds of Euro-style social programs (such as paid college tuition) to everyone; institute universal health care; seize the airwaves back from the broadcasters; and tax the hell out of the rich to pay for it all. For a start.

I'm sure in obeygiant's eyes that makes me a Communist, but in reality it doesn't exactly make me a moderate either. :D

Veil '08. Haha.

We share almost the same exact goals/dreams.

I think it's hilarious people consider Kennedy "far-left" without any mention of Sanders, who is a socialist.

[mactastic]

Don't forget Barbara Lee. So Lee, Kennedy, Kucinich.

Now lets see how many names we can come up with of the far-right in Congress. I bet it's multiple times longer than those on the far-left.

[leekohler]

Don't forget Barbara Lee. So Lee, Kennedy, Kucinich.

Now lets see how many names we can come up with of the far-right in Congress. I bet it's multiple times longer than those on the far-left.

A long list indeed. Let's start with Trent Lott. :) Come on kids! Let's play name the wackos! :D

[it5five]

Ron Paul. Wacko.

[mactastic]

Duncan Hunter
Tom Tancredo
(Both GOP presidentail candidates BTW)
Mean Jean Schmidt
John Boehner (is that really pronounced the way it's spelled? :p )
Wayne Allard
Sam Brownback
Orrin Hatch
Ted "Series of Tubes" Stevens

Off the top of my head. I'd guess there are plenty of others who qualify.

[srf4real]

It doesn't matter much who we put in congress as long as special interest dollars pay for campaign funds. Every last politician - right, left, or middle, is more beholden to their contributors than their constituents.
The Bush version of campaign finance reform in '02 left alot of easy loopholes, and of course his largest contributors in '04 were the financial institutions.
I thought that the Dems were supposed to do something about this after the '06 elections.? Guess which PAC paid the most to Nancy Pelosi's campaign fund (http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00007360&cycle=2006) last year. (At least AFL-CIO is in the top ten.) Look who paid Hilary Clinton's tab (http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00000019&cycle=2006) last year. (can you say ENRON! )

Insurance companies, big oil, big banks, and the media all run this country. We all vote for their puppets.;) If anyone really wants change in the white house and congress, it had better be from the grass roots. We need to take the profit out of being a government official.

[mactastic]

Unfortunately the GOP (and many Dems) are dead set against publicly financed elections.

[obeygiant]

Crazy maybe- but not far left.

Whats the difference?

[leekohler]

Whats the difference?

What's the matter? Trumped by the far right idiots in congress, and that's all you can muster?

[solvs]

kucinich and kennedy. are who I consider far-left, the others are just left.
Kucinich I'll give you. But Kennedy? Look again, he talk big (insert lame fat joke here), but not as left as you'd think.

Doesn't change the fact that while you can throw out terms like left and far left, in all actuality a vast majority are anything but, and it's the lack of being "left" on some issues (many of which, like the war in Iraq, most of America would just consider common sense) that is hurting them here. We want them to be moderate and even conservative in some things, like with balancing the budget, but we want them to be "liberal" in others, like the war and with healthcare. But they aren't even doing that. They talk a lot, then do nothing. As usual. So yeah, we're pretty pissed. They can blame the right, and in some cases they have some reason, but they don't even seem to be fighting for it. We're behind them. They need to step up.

Whats the difference?
That was desperate, even for you.