Time for a new Meme: "Unpopular President"

[Tamyrlin79]

Dan Froomkin, at the WaPo asks:

When is it time to start referring to Bush as an unpopular president? When his approval ratings are solidly below 50 percent for at least three months? Check. When his approval ratings on his signature issues are in the red? Check. When a clear majority of Americans say he is ignoring the public's concerns and instead has become distracted by issues that most people say they care little about? Check.

Atrios, opines that the media will not let this meme catch on. But, popularity and approval ratings are a message about democracy. When in the negative, it shows that the people do not consent. It is a key to the media that they should be a little more assertive in questioning the government. Think of the reverse influence when bush's popularity was sky high after 9/11. That post-9/11 deference is now gone in the public, and now the media should follow suit. But, if they don't, that means that it is up to us to do some blogospheric magic and get the meme out there:

1. When contacting the media regarding Bush or Republicans, in all references to the president, note something along the lines of "...this unpopular president's even more unpopular plan..." or "the president, whose approval ratings are in the basement,...", etc. In any Letters to the Editor written, bring up their poor poll numbers.

2. Dem leaders should be encouraged to bring up his (AND the Republican Congress') unpopularity. They should be sure to rub it in their faces and use their interviews to get that meme out. Making it a Dem talking point will make sure that the media will repeat it. Elected officials should refer to it in their speeches on the House and Senate floor.

By doing so, we will claim that the majority sides with us and our position. That gives us a kind of credibility in the public that we don't otherwise have. It also increases the likelihood that those who are a part of this new majority will be more assertive on these issues. It also increases the consequences for the administration for continuing along their current UNPOPULAR path.

So, do your part to help get this meme out there, and encourage our Dem leaders to do theirs.

[minnesotaDFLer]

1. the medias in his pocket

said and done

[KittyWampus]

2. Bush Was ALWAYS An Unpopular POTUS & Only Registers National Grief

in his poll numbers when he's 'lucky' and hits a trifecta or something.

[dave29]

3. We need all of our leaders to start referring to him as such NOW

Unpopular President with and unpopular war and an unpopular domestic agenda.

[Kikosexy2]

4. he's sure...

unpoopular! Get the vitameatavegamin quick! or he'll pop out at parties!

[MidnightWind]

5. Remember when Clinton's popularity was sky high but the media

were attacking him at every turn? Why aren't they doing that to Bushie Boy? When will the media get off their lazy butts and do their jobs?

[Raster]

6. because agents of the bush* family evil empire (BFEE) control

85% of the major media outlets in this country. Look at the prick murdock. The take-away from the nixon years: Control the media, control the message. Remember if not for the courage of the media at that time, Watergate would have never made it to public scrutiny. kkkarl rove, bush* the elder, cheney--all members of nixon's dirty tricks gang. These bastards wrote the book on dirty politics. And if they don't control a particular piece of the media, they're frightened the shit out of them. No one wants to be unemployed and blackballed.