Comments on: More Polls Bring Bad News For Bush On Iraq Support And Job Performance http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/ An Internet hub for moderates, centrists, and independents, with domestic and international news, analysis, original reporting, and popular features from the left, center, and right Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:52:29 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kim Ritter http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43264 Kim Ritter Sat, 13 Jan 2007 13:45:00 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43264 I'm a big critic on the war (wrong place, wrong time, inadequate planning and troop levels, etc) I will admit, however, to being terrified of the consequences when we do finally pull out. If al queda move from Anbar province to control Iraq's oil, if Iraq becomes a killing field like Cambodia- if it becomes a regional conflagration-I don't think the consequences are being exaggerated by our politicians. This was the most grievous error in our foreign policy in history. Facing those consequences, imo, is what caused our commander-in-chief to appear somber and depressed- the swagger and little grin, the Texas accent- all were gone. I still think he'll go down in the history books as our worst president, but we have to consider what we will leave behind. This is even worse than Vietnam. We can say that Vietnam is doing great today, but so many that supported us and hoped we would bring them a better life were slaughtered. I'm thinking like Polimom today-of only the Iraqis, who through no fault of their own, are caught up in our foreign policy blunder. I’m a big critic on the war (wrong place, wrong time, inadequate planning and troop levels, etc) I will admit, however, to being terrified of the consequences when we do finally pull out. If al queda move from Anbar province to control Iraq’s oil, if Iraq becomes a killing field like Cambodia- if it becomes a regional conflagration-I don’t think the consequences are being exaggerated by our politicians. This was the most grievous error in our foreign policy in history. Facing those consequences, imo, is what caused our commander-in-chief to appear somber and depressed- the swagger and little grin, the Texas accent- all were gone. I still think he’ll go down in the history books as our worst president, but we have to consider what we will leave behind. This is even worse than Vietnam. We can say that Vietnam is doing great today, but so many that supported us and hoped we would bring them a better life were slaughtered. I’m thinking like Polimom today-of only the Iraqis, who through no fault of their own, are caught up in our foreign policy blunder.

]]> By: Michael van der Galien http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43250 Michael van der Galien Sat, 13 Jan 2007 08:42:35 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43250 <blockquote>This, in the end, is what will sink Bush and finally end the war. These guys don’t want to run in 2008 with Bush wrapped around their necks.</blockquote> Yes, that's how I see it as well and that's why I think that the Democrats are, for a change, doing it politically quite wise, for now at least. They are putting the pressure on the Republicans and on the President, but they must be careful not to overdo it (power of the purse without republicans backing them up).

This, in the end, is what will sink Bush and finally end the war. These guys don’t want to run in 2008 with Bush wrapped around their necks.

Yes, that’s how I see it as well and that’s why I think that the Democrats are, for a change, doing it politically quite wise, for now at least. They are putting the pressure on the Republicans and on the President, but they must be careful not to overdo it (power of the purse without republicans backing them up).

]]> By: Kim Ritter http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43219 Kim Ritter Sat, 13 Jan 2007 02:43:11 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43219 I agree, Pug. Those who remain loyal to the president better hope we're out of Iraq before '08. The GOP is in a sticky situation, and already are splitting on the issue. If they lose big in '08, they may have trouble regaining the majority later. They should have been asking the tough questions of Rice and Rummy these past 4 years- their uberpartisan loyalty was inexcusable. I agree, Pug. Those who remain loyal to the president better hope we’re out of Iraq before ‘08. The GOP is in a sticky situation, and already are splitting on the issue. If they lose big in ‘08, they may have trouble regaining the majority later. They should have been asking the tough questions of Rice and Rummy these past 4 years- their uberpartisan loyalty was inexcusable.

]]> By: Pug http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43203 Pug Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:57:15 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43203 <em>And it becomes more and more likely that Republicans will continue to rebel.</em> This, in the end, is what will sink Bush and finally end the war. These guys don't want to run in 2008 with Bush wrapped around their necks. There was an election a mere two months ago and aside from the 35-plus Republican congressmen who lost, there are another 15 who survived by the skin of their teeth. This happened in spite of years of scientific gerrymandering to create "safe" districts. Not one Democratic incumbent lost and the biggest issue of the election was the Iraq war. If they thought the voters were surly in '06, just give them two more years of "stay the course". And it becomes more and more likely that Republicans will continue to rebel.

This, in the end, is what will sink Bush and finally end the war. These guys don’t want to run in 2008 with Bush wrapped around their necks.

There was an election a mere two months ago and aside from the 35-plus Republican congressmen who lost, there are another 15 who survived by the skin of their teeth. This happened in spite of years of scientific gerrymandering to create “safe” districts. Not one Democratic incumbent lost and the biggest issue of the election was the Iraq war.

If they thought the voters were surly in ‘06, just give them two more years of “stay the course”.

]]> By: PatHMV http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43161 PatHMV Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:42:00 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43161 Clout ("political capital") is certainly important over the long haul, but it is not all-important. President Bush has enough legal authority to proceed with the troop surge, and Congress will not meddle in the conduct of a war by cutting the funding for it yet. If the surge and the other aspects of the new way forward improve the situation in Iraq, then the president will in fact gain more "clout". That gain, if it comes, will be offset by drawing closer to the end of Bush's term. More importantly, "clout" is not the only way to get things done. One can also hope to persuade people to favor a proposal by demonstrating that it offers the best hope for a satisfactory outcome. Too often in our politics, we overlook the need to <i>persuade</i> people, preferring instead to bully them with polls and election results and so forth. Clout (”political capital”) is certainly important over the long haul, but it is not all-important. President Bush has enough legal authority to proceed with the troop surge, and Congress will not meddle in the conduct of a war by cutting the funding for it yet.

If the surge and the other aspects of the new way forward improve the situation in Iraq, then the president will in fact gain more “clout”. That gain, if it comes, will be offset by drawing closer to the end of Bush’s term.

More importantly, “clout” is not the only way to get things done. One can also hope to persuade people to favor a proposal by demonstrating that it offers the best hope for a satisfactory outcome. Too often in our politics, we overlook the need to persuade people, preferring instead to bully them with polls and election results and so forth.

]]> By: Michael van der Galien http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43128 Michael van der Galien Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:45:44 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43128 Polls: they truly fascinating <em>and</em> important, aren't they? Thanks for this post Joe! <blockquote>Just 35% of Americans now approve of the way that George W. Bush is performing his role as President. That’s down sharply in recent days and is the lowest level of Approval ever measured by Rasmussen Reports.</blockquote> and: <blockquote>Two out of three Americans oppose President Bush’s plan to send more troops to Iraq, a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Friday indicates.</blockquote> And it becomes more and more likely that Republicans will continue to rebel. Polls: they truly fascinating and important, aren’t they?

Thanks for this post Joe!

Just 35% of Americans now approve of the way that George W. Bush is performing his role as President. That’s down sharply in recent days and is the lowest level of Approval ever measured by Rasmussen Reports.

and:

Two out of three Americans oppose President Bush’s plan to send more troops to Iraq, a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Friday indicates.

And it becomes more and more likely that Republicans will continue to rebel.

]]> By: MinorRipper http://themoderatevoice.com/10246/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-43127 MinorRipper Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:45:24 +0000 http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/another-poll-shows-bush-speech-failed-to-move-public-opinion-on-iraq/#comment-43127 Not sure if everyone has seen these videos of the US military in Iraq or not, but they are pretty amazing: Hopefully our 'surge' will not include too many of these types... http://minor-ripper.blogspot.com/2006/12/winning-hearts-and-minds-part-three.html Not sure if everyone has seen these videos of the US military in Iraq or not, but they are pretty amazing: Hopefully our ’surge’ will not include too many of these types…
http://minor-ripper.blogspot.com/2006/12/winning-hearts-and-minds-part-three.html

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