There's hope in the polls. Victory, too.

[BobcatJH]

With President Bush's approval ratings so low, it's easy to not look past the sub-freezing numbers. While most attention-grabbing headlines concern the president and his handling of the issues, there's an even bigger story developing.

There's hope in America.

Hope for the future. Optimism that things will improve. And, despite the fact that faith in Bush and the Republican Party is plummeting, a belief that better days are ahead. Ahead thanks, in no small part, to growing support for Democrats. That these feelings prevail despite all that Bush and his party have done is a testament to the fact that there's no problem the next election can't fix.

Taking a look at the most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, it's clear that Americans aren't satisfied with their president - or his party. Reaching a new low in their polling, Bush's approval rating now rests at a precarious 33 percent. To put that in perspective, his approval a year ago at this time was 48 percent. Two years before that, 71 percent. Clearly, a lot has changed since Bush saw a 92 percent approval rating shortly after September 11. In short: Bush happened.

Thanks to the president and his mismanagement of numerous issues - Iraq, ethics, gas prices - Americans in record numbers (69 percent) feel the nation is headed on the wrong track. And, as far as the president and his party are concerned, Americans don't think things will get any better under the current leadership. Those surveyed are pessimistic in the policies Bush will pursue in the coming year and now trust Democrats over Republicans on each of the 10 issues pollsters queried.

Think about that. From health care to the economy and everywhere in between, Americans trust us on the issues. In fact, these numbers give lie to nearly every Republican talking point. Tax-and-spend Democrats? Try majority support for Democrats on taxes, the budget and the economy. Weak on terror and afraid to fight? Try majority support for Democrats on Iraq and a plurality on the campaign against terrorism. Soft on immigration? Try plurality support for Democrats on the hot-button issue. These numbers tell me that Americans trust Democrats to do the job. Why? Because they now realize that a party that doesn't believe in government probably isn't the best at governing.

While faith in the Democratic Party is on the rise, so, too, is optimism within Americans. Eighty-four percent of those polled are satisfied with their personal lives. Further, 89 percent are optimistic about their personal future, while 65 percent are optimistic about the future of the country. Contrast this with the 50 percent who are pessimistic about the way things are going and the overwhelming dissatisfaction with the president and his party and you immediately recognize the problem.

Republicans.

Republicans are at the root of America's problems. They can claim ownership of each and every one of them. Despite their rhetoric, they can't run from their record. And Americans know this. That Republicans are either unwilling or unable to do anything about them has caused Americans to lose faith in the party and, sadly, in their government. The seeds of true change are there. It's up to us to help them grow.

To do that, however, requires action. Action those polled feel isn't happening. In a cautionary note - but one that can be learned from - 52 percent of respondents said that Democrats weren't offering the nation a "clear direction that's different from the Republicans". Is it because, like right-wingers love to say, we don't have any ideas? Doubtful, because, on every issue, Americans prefer Democrats. No, I think this belief has more to do with our leadership's seeming silence in the wake of the Republicans' overwhelming failures. I say "seeming" because I see my party speaking out every day. But there is the lesson to be learned from this poll. It's time to keep punching. Harder, too.

I recognize, of course, that it's hard for Democrats to give voice to our solutions when the party in power is so unwilling to give us a platform. But it's more than that. Now is the time to step up. Now is the time for the issue ads. Now is the time for the party's moderates to cut their ties with a dying administration. Now is the time for this fall's candidates to follow the lead of true Democrats like Ned Lamont and be bold and be proud to be Democrats. Now is the time for us to support those candidates. Now, more than ever, is the time for Americans everywhere to organize, to share ideas, to seize power. The door is open. Let's kick it in.

Like Americans everywhere, I have faith in the future. A faith that stems from my belief that we can win on our issues. Issues that built this nation. And issues that will save it.

[kstewart33]

1. I agree with you (and a great post, btw) except for one thing.

Karl Rove intends to campaign the way he does best--by painting us to be some wild-eyed radical beast that Repub and independent voters will fear. Rove is truly a genius at using fear to win elections.

So it comes down to him. If he's indicted, our chances are much improved. If not, I'd call the '06 elections a tossup.

[BobcatJH]

2. That's why ...

... we've got to act now, so we're not playing defense later.

[bdamomma]

8. boy am I hoping they nail his ass before these next elections

that would definitely throw a bone in their PNAC plans. Next get Cheney indicted.

[bdamomma]

9. oops mistake

[AndyTiedye]

3. Except for the Problem of "Fixed" Elections

there's no problem the next election can't fix.

Elections won't fix our problems as long as THEY can "fix" the elections.

[BOYLANE]

4. stupid republicunts!

Republicunts always complained and belly ached about how they could do things better if they were running the country. Well, we've seen just what they're capable of. WE'RE F*&KING SICK OF WHAT THEY CAN DO! They're destroying the country. They rule, not govern, for a radical minority. I hope when the Democrats take back the House, and hopefully the Senate. I hope Bush is impeached, prosecuted and imprisoned for his lies and spying. God knows what else he's done, but I'm sure a little investigating will do the job of uncovering his filth. This Adminstration and the rubber stamp rebublicunt Congress has squandered any hope of us fighting global terrorism with the aid of a world that was more than willing to help us after 911. This admistration WILL with NO doubt go down as the WORST, most INEPT in American history. ANYONE who still supports it is a FOOL who cannot admit mistake. YES, REPUBLICUNTS ARE FOOLS!

[307 MMS]

5. Are they inept!? This is by design....by a treasonous, criminal regime!!!

Incompetence Is Simply a Byproduct of Something Far More Sinister
By Bob Johnson
DailyKos.com

Monday 15 May 2006

I don't think the Bush administration is incompetent, in the pure sense of the word, as so many pundits have claimed. Everytime I read that charge, it doesn't sit right in my mind.

No, that's not the whole of it, I think. Their particular brand of incompetence is an outgrowth of something else - something far more sinister. If those who populate this administration, along with their co-conspirators in Congress, were simply happy-go-lucky fools, the incompetence tag would hang on them like a too-big suit. They'd wear incompetence like a pair of oversized clown shoes.

Osama's escape, the Iraq Debacle, Katrina, Medicare D... The list of incompetent actions and policies stretches on for miles, as far as the eye can see on a flat, blazing hot desert road.

But "incompetence" lets them off too easily.

Incompetence is an outgrowth - or an end product - of indifference. Cold, callous, cold-hearted, criminal indifference:

Indifference towards the troops they put in harm's way.

Indifference toward the elderly who must cope with the trainwreck that is Medicare D.

Indifference toward the hundreds of thousands of Gulf states residents who lost everything in Katrina.

Indifference toward future generations by giving away national forests and refusing to abide by environmental agreements.
Indifference after indifference after indifference.

Incompetence? Sure. But only because, fundamentally, they do not give a flying fuck about America or its citizens. (Nevermind how little they think of the citizens of the rest of the world.) They care only of themselves - and money. Simple, really.

It is no accident that indifference is a synonym for selfishness. And that selfishness can be synonymous with greed.

When Grover Norquist uttered his famous proclamation that his dream was to "drown the federal government in the bathtub," he was only giving the half of it.

The likes of Rove and Cheney and Rumsfeld quickly figured out that the best way to accomplish Norquist's dream - a dream they avidly shared - was to not only govern indifferently (thus underlying their assertion that government is an inefficent and ineffectual way of operating everything from wars to disaster relief), but that they also could enrich themselves and their corporate sponsors in the process, effectively looting the government as they "drown it in the tub."

"Two birds with one stone" and all that.

The deficit is no accident. It is the ultimate manifestation of Norquist's dream. Cheney and company (through their idiotic puppet and perfect foil, George Bush) paint the government as incompetent while bankrupting the federal treasury and lining the pockets of everyone from Halliburton to the religious right.

The Bush years have been nothing less than a criminal enterprise. Organized crime. Thievery on a scale never before witnessed in the history of humankind. Billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars looted from the national treasury and delivered to the pockets of the well-connected. (Tax relief? For whom?)

The NSA spying program was never about ferreting out terrorist plots. We knew that. It was simply another tool to be used to stop any person or entity which sought to uncover their criminal cabal. And the Patriot Act is more of the same. This crew will stop at nothing to protect their criminal enterprise.

So I wish the Paul Krugmans of the world would stop letting Cheney et. al. off so easy with the "incompetent" tag.

Like Liberace, they are laughing all the way to the bank.

What the fuck took so long!? There was more outrage over a blowjob this this!?

[SheilaT]

6. This certainly nails it.

Too many Democrats can't understand that just because polls show voters currently favor Democrats does not mean that all we have to do is coast until November and we'll be back in control. Not at all.

These people are absolute masters at winning (stealing) elections. Democrats in recent years just don't hit back very hard, and then are left standing in the dust, utterly befuddled as to what's happened to them. Our current administration came to power in a coup, and they will not give up that power to anything as silly as a free, fair, and honest election. And if the Democrats remain complacent and don't spend every possible minute between now and November making sure everyone knows exactly what terrible things these people have done to this country, then the Democrats will be standing around on November 8th, nodding like bobble-headed dolls at the "explanations" that will be put forth as to why Republicans gained a few extra seats in the House and Senate.

Those currently in power know exactly what buttons to push to make them sound like they have all the answers, they will solve all of our problems (including that nasty one of having to pay death taxes when Grandpa dies), and the Democrats are sniveling, flip-flopping cowards who can't be trusted to sweep the floor, let alone run the country. And meanwhile, as noted above, they are utterly indifferent to everyone not part of their inner circle.

[307 MMS]

10. Exactly!

As an aside here, Sheila T is my wife's name, as in Sheila Theresa Smith! If I didn't know better, I'd think she wrote this response. How ironic.
They really have NO interest other than their own. This is serious shit and until the majority, real Republicans included, understands just how this treasonous, dangerous, criminal, cabal regime has successfully hijacked our form of gov't, we get what we deserve/allow. Who are these supposed Americans? It's like they have no country and have become leeches off of ours!!! We need a tsumani in Nov. so we can circumvent this election fraud...or, expose it for what it is. Where's the MSM? Forget it. They're useless and have totally lost credibility for letting this fester and go on for so long. Complicit to the n'th degree. What's left ?...other than total revolution!??? As a 'Nam warvet, I'm sick over where OUR/MY country is headed. It can't happen here?......really? It's happening!

[SheilaT]

13. The T stands for

Teresa, without the h! How's that for amazing. Actually, over the years I've noticed that Teresa/Theresa is probably the commonest middle name for Sheila.

[mac56]

15. I agree with the meaning of your post

but I strongly object to your language. And I'm sure you know what word I'm referring to. I think most DUers would agree with me.

It's curious that you saw fit to include an asterisk in the word "f*cking", but had no hesitation merging "Republicans" with "the c word".

I realize you're new here. So accept this as a bit of friendly feedback.

[derby378]

7. "84% satisfied with their personal lives under Bush" - WTF?!?

Don't talk to me about optimism and victory until this number plummets - or until Democrats take back the House and/or Senate in November. That's the only way I'll have any real faith in America's future.

[rbrison]

12. loaded question

My wife and I don't fight much, the job is less sucky than it could be, the kids are doing ok in school and the drug dealing scum next store got busted. So all in all I am pretty satisfied with my personal life. Does Bush mediate our arguments, teach my kids to be ethical, (Bush and ethical in the same sentence, how bout that?)set my companies policies, or sit up at 4 in the morning with dimmed lights,peeking out the window taking plate numbers and generally narc-ing the hell out of the degenerate assholes that frequent my neighbors house? Of course not. Any satisfaction I have is probably in spite of rather than because of all the neocon bullshit that rides our country like a boil on a pretty girls ass.
Personally I'm ok. Globally and patriotically, I am appalled at the joke our once prestigious nation has become in such a short time.

[ShortnFiery]

14. WE (as a nation of free peoples) ARE SO FU*KED!

:cry: It may already be too late. :(

[told you]

11. cover up by Jeb Bush

www.flcoverup.blogspot.com (Make sure to read the letter to Jeb at the very bottom of the side and look at who else was informed!)
Is this what President Bush meant when he recently said his brother would make a good U.S. President?
More cover ups?!

[newyawker99]

16. Hi told you!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[told you]

17. Thank you,..

...thank you, thank you! Mind if I take a glass of champagne instead? Female Europeans sometimes prefer that;). Did you check out my blog? www.flcoverup.blogspot.com
Every comment is welcome..

[PATRICK]

18. More tempered optimism

Everyone seems required to accept the GOP counter meme that the Dems are not gaining ground because they are not rallying people around their platform. This is a gluey lie that no one seems ready to dump. The single kernel of truth, officiated over by the same media that blocks and spin against the message, is that the democrats are not offering a spectacular set of clear options. If they did, then what?

I ask that because the whole matter of the polling concerns the collapse of the GOP support and confidence. NONE of it is a referendum, at all, and none is permitted by the way, upon the Democrats. You may make the criticism that the Dems have not seized the moment but try to do so without thinking that they are part of the current polling trend. Could they become a parallel uptick poll? The media is pretty reticent about tanking george with this horrendous flameout. What would their response(or will be as the Dem platform rolls out) be to Dems trying to reach the polling sentiment- which takes time even for clear traumatic incidents- totally in their own right? You can guess it would be the same carping, spotlighting and issue carping and looking for divisions that such honest heady issue proposals have brought in the past. Such temptation to make hay with dry stuff, stuff that is tinder for slander attacks and spin is a question, but is not NOW the present issue.

This is a careful distinction. The anxiety about not getting traction in these current polls is not well warranted unless you surrender to the notion it is all about us or we are dripping with paint from the same brush. You couldn't if you tried break into a GOP approval meltdown in your own right as an alternative. This is about negatives. Subtly we have fallen partly into the trap of thinking it is, or could possibly be, a corollary to the Bush plunge that the Dems ought to rise. That seesaw was sawed in half quite a while ago.

If I knew the answer how, without benefit of power or press, the Dems could seize control of the polling issue I would know how they could campaign in a rigged system and win. A very big problem is lack of awareness of the reality of the fraud. Part of that fraud is letting the media snidely draw anyone into thinking that the polls are about Dems. When the polls DO show positive movement their way, and often they do already, you can bet there will be silence, qualifiers and deceiving critiques which would make you forget that these things take time according to what sinks into the public consciousness and and how it is moving. Event born positives give big shallow bounces. Negatives relentlessly brew, stew and as relentlessly stay fixed. When the tide goes back some people stay negative forever. The powerful today try to make a pretense of control by successfully veering their victims to the side, distorting their view to what lies ahead. This is about pretense always, not about fair polling- or elections.

The real issue is twofold. When and if the the public is presented with Democratic change what will be their reaction and how quick? When will the national awareness- whatever the polling- finally move to the real critical point of judging enough of the whole bad picture? Who knows, it might have been reached already. Yet the media grants Bush plausible denial that people hate him exactly for what he has done and who he is rather than outrageous failures that have caused so much personal suffering. The fact that he is not going to voice that critical point and instead sticks to patronizing the masses as merely "unsettled" is nothing compared to the fact that no one is going to stop the last undefended ploy- war- from being the relentless next step and answer to all this poll born criticism.