Monday, May 08, 2006

The Polls, the polls

A new Gallup survey of President Bush's job approval ratings out today were, in a word, lousy.
Mr. Bush only has the support of 31% of the public and a 65% against him.
Ahh, if only that were all true, the Democrats could call in the movers at the House and Senate buildings. I am sure that some are, but the reality of this and the slew of negative polls against Mr. Bush are the method that most are using.
The Gallup poll is notorious for padding up the Democrats. They always ask "registered" voters and even today, more people are throughout the country registered as Democrats. Hence, the poll is tilted with a built in favor towards the Democrats.
But, the accurate polls are of likely voters, the people that will actually vote this November. Since most polling at this point uses the Gallup approach, of course there is a built in negative towards Mr. Bush.
But almost any poll that is of likely voters, Mr. Bush's numbers creep back up towards the 40s and thus that is overall better news for the President and Republicans keeping control of congress.
BUT, do not think that it is something that should make those of us who support Mr. Bush complacent and just waiting to vote on the first Tuesday in November.
We need to be out in the hustings and when we support Mr. Bush, do it hard. When we don't, let him know it, but offer something that is a viable alternative.
Again, as I wrote in a earlier post, giving the Democrats control of congress to maybe punish Mr. Bush is pointless. It is the sign of a minority party that would rather be right than the governing party. Sometimes being the governing party is not always comfortable. There is give and take and sometimes, many times, we conservatives do not get all that we want.
But, governing and increasing that majority makes it more likely that we will eventually get what we want.
So, when you see these polls, question the methodology. Ask what their agenda is.
Yes, Mr. Bush has lost some support, but again, if you think that having Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is going to be a good thing, explain why. If not, when these pollsters ask you, give a thumbs up to Mr. Bush and a thumbs up to a Republican congress.

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