Newsview: "Bush Loses Ground on War on Terror"

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45031-2004Apr2.html

By WILL LESTER
The Associated Press
Friday, April 2, 2004; 1:11 PM


WASHINGTON - President Bush's high marks for waging war on terrorism have been the bedrock of his popularity and his re-election campaign. Traditionally, commander in chief is the cornerstone for any incumbent, and this president is no exception.

But recently, Bush's image as the wartime steward has taken a hit, from former counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke's compelling testimony that the Bush administration ignored the terrorist threat for months to the president's insistence - then reversal - that national security adviser Condoleezza Rice won't testify before the Sept. 11 commission.

In that time, polls show Bush's strength on handling terrorism has eroded, although a majority of voters still believe he is better equipped to deal with the issue than his Democratic rival, John Kerry.

<>When asked in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll March 19-21 whom they would trust to do a better job of protecting the country, 58 percent said Bush and 35 percent said Kerry. Other polls since then have shown a similar Bush advantage.

Those in the AP-Ipsos poll most likely to prefer Bush on terrorism were men, Republicans, married people and those who most wanted a candidate who stands up for what he believes. Even one-fourth of Democrats preferred Bush to handle terrorism.

_________________________

I find this last sentence astounding. are these Zell Miller Democrats or is it the sad fact that we are such an uninformed, and easily led people. Or, perhaps, Richard Clark's testimony has not yet sunk in to the mostly uninformed masses.

[gWbush is Mabus]

1. it is CNN

and MSNBC and CNBC
and NBC and Fox

[rockymountaindem]

2. We as Americans need to get out of "warfare mode".

Apparently the American people don't think the government is taking a problem seriously until we "declare war" on it. "War on poverty", "war on crime", "war on drugs" etc.

I think that a lot of Americans are falling fot the whole warfare midset. They don't see that the terrorism problem goes beyond typical warfare. As we here at DU know, it extends far afield, into diplomacy, law enforcement, border security, scientific research, and international perception of the US. A lot of people seem to just be happy when there's a "war" on something. If it's just a "program" or a "plan" or something else which may actually be more effective, people aren't impressed.

On edit: to continue the thought I had above; If John Kerry came out tomorrow and said

"I am unveiling a comprehensive plan to protect America from terrorism. We will clean up the mess in Iraq, and ensure a lasting peace in Afghanistan. Closer to home, I promise to ensure that America's border crossings, airports, sea ports and train stations will have the very best in security. I will increase FBI and INS counter-terror intelligence funding, letting the terrorists know that they can't do business here. And, should the unthinkable happen, I vow that America's first responders, like the brave firefighters and paramedics who ran into the WTC on that catastrophic morning, will have the most advanced equipment and training that we can give them. I call it the 'Comprehensive Security Plan for a Safer America'"

but then Bush* countered with "We're gonna fight the war on terra... my opponent doesn't understand that this is a war..." a lot of people would simply fall for the war rhetoric and ignore the fact that John Kerry's plan is waaaaay better. I think that the only way to combat this is to bring down Bush's silly "war" and show the people that it's not the war that's bad, just the way Bush* is waging it. I think that's sad but I don't see another way.

[Mountainman]

3. I wonder if the people are really answering the question asked?

If there were a CNN on line poll that asked wether Kerry or Bush was best on the issue of Big Macs. Freepers would vote for Bush and we would vote for Kerry even if we didn't know the truth about the issue or didn't really care.

CNN would report the poll results and they would be meaningless.