LAT: Study: GOP Making Gains for Now (Pew)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-051005voters_lat,0,2006759,print.story?coll=la-home-headlines

The American political landscape has tilted decidedly toward Republicans since President Bush was first elected in 2000, but that may not result in the enduring political realignment he has sought, according to a major new study of political attitudes.

The national survey released today by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that Republicans have gained in part by winning increased sympathy in the middle of the political spectrum — a part of the electorate that was far less inclined toward the GOP in 1999, the last time the center conducted such a broad study.

Andrew Kohut, director of the research center, said the new finding was a testament to Bush's personal popularity among voters in the center and on the right, even as his job approval ratings have sunk below 50%, and to the strength of his leadership on national security issues.

Both, however, raise questions about whether Republican gains will outlast Bush's presidency or fade as the public's focus shifts from foreign to domestic policy.

<snip>

Asked if they would like Bush to run for a third term if that was possible, 27% said yes. By contrast, 43% said they would like Bill Clinton to serve a third term in the White House.

[supernova]

1. This is consistent with what's been said

all along, that *'s support may be very broad, but it also isn't very deep.

Thanks for the info.

[ET Awful]

2. Funny how much they try to spin it eh?

Now see, a real "liberal media" would have said that less than 1/3 said they would like Bush to serve a third term, close to half of those surveyed would prefer to see Bill Clinton serve a third term as President :)

[Carolab]

3. It's STILL the economy stupid

"Both, however, raise questions about whether Republican gains will outlast Bush's presidency or fade as the public's focus shifts from foreign to domestic policy."

People care MOST about health care and jobs.

Dems own those. Repubs do NOT.

Time people understood that "tax and spend" liberals are the ones who tax fairly and spend wisely.

[July]

4. Clinton, 43, Bush, 27, headline is "GOP makes gains." nt

[lancdem]

7. That number is incredible

Bush ain't even close to Clinton. BTW, I recommend everyone read the whole story. It's not as bad the headline leads on. And two-thirds of the interviews were done in December, before the Repukes really started tanking.

[sandnsea]

5. Wha???

I just read a report yesterday that the women were headed back towards the Democrats and Bush was losing 30-50 year old men on social security. Funny how different people spin things. Now to go read the damned thing myself. :crazy:

[UCLA Dem]

6. Bad headline.

[Democat]

8. People are voting based on a single leader or personality

That means that who Democrats pick in 2008 is going to be key to winning the election. Not the positions of the person, but the personality of the person. We cannot pick someone who does not connect with the public well.

A person who is great with people who has slightly less popular positions seems to have a better chance of winning than someone who does not connect well with people but who has great positions on issues.

Democrats need strong and visionary leadership more than anything right now.