csmonitor: Bush loses some luster on credibility

[sabra]

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http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0718/p01s01-uspo.html?s=t5

Bush loses some luster on credibility

With the president struggling on issues such as Iraq and Social Security, controversy over Rove adds to PR challenge.

WASHINGTON – When George W. Bush ran for president in 2000, he sought to contrast himself implicitly with President Clinton, promising to restore "honor and integrity" to the White House. The argument seemed to work.

Now, in the public's view, President Bush is sliding into negative territory on that score. For the first time in his presidency, more Americans give Bush a low rating (45 percent) on being "honest and straightforward" than give him a high rating (41 percent), according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

It's not just the recent revelations about top aide Karl Rove - now known to be involved in the imbroglio over the outing of a CIA operative - that have hurt Bush. A range of issues are dampening the president's numbers, from his as-yet-unsuccessful attempt to sell partial privatization of Social Security to increasing public doubts over the decision to go to war in Iraq, says one of the pollsters who conducted the survey.

....

Republican analysts don't disagree.

"From a public opinion standpoint, the administration's in a slump," says Charles Black, a Washington lawyer and GOP adviser. "Some accomplishments will help break the slump: If we can get an energy bill and get it signed, get a highway bill and get it signed, if we continue to have a good economy."

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[fooj]

1. Some luster?

How'd you like his remark today at the press conference? "An ideology that murders the innocent in order to achieve objectives." He makes me absolutely ill! He's a liar and a manipulator!

Peace.

[aden_nak]

2. "If we continue to have a good economy." - WHAT?

How about if we START to have a good economy. The GNP is not the final tally of our economic strength. It does us little good to see a high profit margin if our own citizens can no longer afford to buy the goods we produce. People do realize that, right? Then again, I guess Washington Lawyers / GOP Advisers don't REALLY count as people. ;)

[meti57b]

3. I don't see why bush should take solace in congress' low rating ......

the senate and the house are both dominated by republicans.