The Elephant in the Room (Newsweek re: Bush & 2008)

[struggle4progress]

George W. Bush has the lowest presidential approval rating in a generation, and the leading Dems beat every major ’08 Republican. Coincidence?

~snip~ A majority of Americans believe Bush is not politically courageous: 55 percent vs. 40 percent. And nearly two out of three Americans (62 percent) believe his recent actions in Iraq show he is “stubborn and unwilling to admit his mistakes,” compared to 30 percent who say Bush’s actions demonstrate that he is “willing to take political risks to do what’s right.” ~snip~

Clinton receives the highest marks for showing political courage in the current campaign, though, with 34 percent of voters saying she has, followed by 33 percent for Obama, 30 percent for Edwards, 28 for McCain, 25 for Giuliani and 11 for Romney.

Obama is seen as the most optimistic candidate (a consistent measure of electability) in either party: 51 percent of registered voters say the Illinois senator is optimistic, compared to 47 percent who say Edwards is, 46 percent for Clinton, 45 percent for Giuliani, 40 percent for McCain, and 27 for Romney. ~snip~

The NEWSWEEK Poll was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International May 2-3. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,001 adults, age 18 and older; the overall margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. The margin of error for questions asked only of Democrats and Democratic leaners is plus or minus 7 percentage points; for Republicans and GOP leaners, 8 percentage points.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18505030/site/newsweek/

[aquart]

1. Clinton shows political courage? When?

That's my biggest objection to her, that she never leads.

[calteacherguy]

2. It could be peope recall her speaking out against the right-wing smear machine.

And perhaps her health-care proposal when her husband was President. I am not supporting anyone for the nomination at this point, and I'm not saying I believe she is particularly "political courageous," but perhaps that is what is going on.

[aquart]

3. Okay. I was pleased when she said that.

Especially since the MSM was denying its existence outright.

[loyalsister]

4. Oddly enough

I think she shows political courage for standing by her war vote.
It does take guts to not subbumb to the pressure on that front. She has gone with the wind many other times, she is no innocent. But on that very high profile, high pressure issue, she hasn't.

Clever. It's almost as if she knew it would give the perception of courage.

I didn't agree with her when she cast it, and don't agree with her now.

She will not get my vote in the primary. I am really thinking these ones through, There have been some pretty clever calculations on their part. Every time we get mad, maybe we should look behind the curtain.

They all calculate and we can trace it ocassionally. Maybe when we see where they benefit from different things it's time to look at what they did on purpose. Abandon them in the primary if we wish, but let's leave them to their own character creation and whatever goes along with it. There's a reason most of us aren't actually inside politics doing this "dirty work." Most people really don't want to deal with the cummulative harmless minor hypocrisies.

[MasonJar]

5. She just joined Senator Byrd to call for a rescinding of the IWR.

That is strong leadership. Why do some of you immediately pick Hill out to put down on any point? I think she would make a fine president. I would like a woman to have a chance. That does not mean that I am definitely going to vote for her. The only person I would vote for over any other is Al Gore. I am weighing the dems to see whom I will choose. No hurry! So I am not taking up for her because she is my candidate, but because too many here have bought into the rightwing talking points when it comes to Senator Clinton.

[calteacherguy]

6. I believe recinding the IWR is the right approach, and in October the timing would be right.

Bush and the new general in charge over there are saying they need through the summer to show results. O.K., fine. Give them through the summer and if there is not major improvement than recind the resolution.

It's their war, let them play their last card. Otherwise they will turn around and blame Democrats for the failure.

[Arugula Latte]

7. I hope we can hang Dubya around Repukian necks for decades.

I hope he is like a millstone to them. I hope no Bush ever dares run for office for years and years and years.