The jig is up: The American public finally seems to be getting it — the administration’s top-ranking officials have been up to some real nastiness, and it is their hubris that has been their downfall. They think they can play us like patsies and rubes, and do what they want.
That’s what all the president’s men thought during Watergate, too.
From National Journal’s PollTrack (edited):
A new ABC News/Washington Post survey found:
- 59% of respondents think Rove should resign
- 30% think he should stay
- Nearly half said they thought Rove did something wrong in connection to the Plame case
- 26% said it was likely that what he did was illegal
Regarding former vice presidential aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s role in the leak:
- 70% said the charges against Libby represent a serious crime
- 26% said they represent a minor or technical crime
- 54% said Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald brought the case against Libby based on facts
- 31% said the charges were politically motivated
- 52% said the case indicates broader ethical problems in the administration
- 43% maintained that it’s an isolated incident
The spotlight on administration officials is not reflecting well on President Bush. The ABC/Post poll put his approval rating at 38 percent, with 60 percent disapproving (the highest ever recorded in the poll). Indeed, “on almost every key measure of presidential character and performance, the survey found that Bush has never been less popular with the American people,” the poll analysis found.
Two other new polls also show low numbers for Bush. An Associated Press/Ipsos Public Affairs poll put his approval rating at 37 percent, with 59 percent disapproving. And a new Zogby survey reported that 39 percent think Bush is doing a good or excellent job in office, while 61 percent rated his performance as fair or poor.
National Journal’s Congressional Insiders poll:
- 30 of 40 Republicans said they expect GOP lawmakers to become more independent of the White House in the next year
- One said House GOP members will need to “pivot away” and promote their own agendas
- 40 Democrats unanimously agreed that members of their party would likely become increasingly critical of the White House
The Insiders poll also asked respondents if they’d like to see Senate Democrats filibuster Bush’s high court pick, Samuel Alito.
- 30 of 40 Republicans said no
- 22 of 39 Democrats said yes
- 8 Democrats said no and 9 said it was too early to say
- Topic: News & Comment
Like Lincoln and Reagan, who were derided in their time, President Bush is a historical figure whose greatness will withstand the test of time. Incidentally, the president’s poll numbers are higher at this point in his presidency then any president in the past 50 years at the same point, including Reagan & Clinton. And he’s at his “lowest” numbers now.
Between now and 2008, the president’s poll numbers will soar, and by mid century his face will be on Mt. Rushmore. Look for another GOP president in 2008.