Post-ABC Poll: Bush (and GOP) Ignoring Public Concerns

[BurtWorm]

I think of Pataki and Bloomberg weeping over their pet stadium. I wonder if most Americans think of Republicans as following their own bliss while everything around them crashes and burns.




http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/07/AR2005060700474_2.html



By Richard Morin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 7, 2005; 12:03 PM



A clear majority of Americans say President Bush is ignoring the public's concerns and instead has become distracted by issues that most people say they care little about, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The survey found that 58 percent of those interviewed said Bush is mainly concentrating in his second term on problems and partisan squabbles that these respondents said were unimportant to them. Four in 10--41 percent--said the president was focused on important problems--a double-digit drop from three years ago.

...

Ominously for Bush and the Republicans, a strong majority of self-described political independents--68 percent--say they disagreed with the president's priorities. That suggests Bush's mixed record in the second term on issues the public views as critical--particularly on Iraq and the economy--may be as much a liability for GOP candidates in next year's mid-term election as his performance in his first term was an asset to Republican congressional hopefuls last year and in 2002.

Overall, the president's job approval rating stood at 48 percent, virtually identical to where it was last month. Currently 52 percent of the public disapproves of the job Bush is doing as president, the highest negative rating of his performance since taking office.

[ComerPerro]

1. Seems odd that he is reporting 48 percent approval and 52 disapproval

Usually there is some middle ground, "Don't know", about 2 or 3%. Wonder what side that's on.

Just something I thought was odd

[BurtWorm]

2. Interesting observation.

He's really become the love him or hate, can't be neutral "pres."

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Nixon, was the same way

[BurtWorm]

5. In more ways than one, I bet.

:evilfrown:

[xchrom]

3. if they had paid attention to his tenure as gov.

they'd have known this.

i remain shocked his approvals are as high as they are.