Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Mississippi

[quaoar]

are the only states where Bush has a positive job approval rating, according to a new Survey USA 50-state poll. He is tied in Nebraska and Oklahoma:

http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2005/50StatePOTUS1105SortbyState.htm

[raysr]

1. Let him be THEIR

president then if they like the corksucker that much. And the rest of us SANE people will choose someone else. If that ain't fair I don't know what is. Right?

[Erika]

3. Idaho depends on its Mormons, Rich, & Farmers to vote R

The Mormons have never forgiven a democratic governor for forcing them to sign that they weren't polygamous before they could vote. The few rich in Idaho love the GOP and control their workers, and the farmers love the subsidies.

Idaho would vote GOP if Hitler was on the ballot.

[raysr]

8. Especially if Hitler

was on the ballot!

[Maddy McCall]

4. Whatever.

Look at Mississippi's polling numbers. Only 50% approve. 48% disapprove. And, as I said in the post below, many people in the southern part of the state are still living in tents or FEMA trailers, with no phone access for polling purposes. Indeed, the Congressional district which was worst affected by Katrina is represented by Democratic Congressman Gene Taylor, a favorite of many here at DU. Most of the state's population is along the coastline, which was affected by Katrina.

Just keep that in mind before you damn us.

[quaoar]

5. Not just the coast

But many people who live in the Delta are not accessible to pollsters either.

[Maddy McCall]

10. I started to include that in my post, but didn't.

But it's a very valid point. Most people don't realize just how impoverished the delta is. Phones are a luxury there.

[jobycom]

7. Wouldn't Gene Taylor make a great national politician?

On his better days he reminds me of Clinton. Too bad he'll never rise above Representative. As a senator or governor, he would be positioned nicely for a presidential or VP bid, but as a Dem in Mississippi, he won't go any higher than his current office. Probably.

Maybe Hillary could choose him as a running mate...

[Maddy McCall]

9. I would love to see him on the national stage.

He'd make a great Senator. Maybe when Thad retires, he'll run.

I hear that Mike Moore is considering either a bid for governor or Trent's place, when he retires, possibly next election cycle.

I also hear that John Grisham is considering running for Governor. He's EASILY beat Haley if he ever runs.

Most people who think of Mississippi as a solid red state don't realize that many local and state offices are still held by Democrats. I believe we hold the majority of state and local offices.

[jobycom]

12. Barbour would be really vulnerable to a good challenge right now

I agree that Mississippi is less red than it seems. It's thirty percent African American, and there are a range of Democrats from the few true liberals to the old school conservative Dems. Right now Barbour has people so mad at him that a good Dem could flip some of his votes, I would think.

Cochran's unbeatable until he retires. Lott's probably unbeatable, but I don't think he's as solid as Cochran.

Grisham--small town southern lawyer takes on establishment and wins, huh? Sounds a bit formulaic, but who knows? :-)

I thought of a way to get Taylor the national exposure. Push him to majority leader or Speaker. He's southern, he's well spoken, he's pretty safe in his district. He'd be a good national candidate to groom.

[Maddy McCall]

2. And only 50% in Mississippi approve.

The ones who don't approve don't have phones anymore, since they are living in tents in the wake of Katrina.

[jobycom]

6. Good point. ANother thing is that those most affected by Katrina

Didn't have power in the days after the storm, so did not see the extent of Bush's inattention. They've had to rely on second and third hand accounts, like all these emails that claim Bush was begging Blanco to declare a disaster area. I've spoken to some who think that somehow Blanco and Nagin in Louisiana affected the reaction in Mississippi, and that Bush did a good job despite local failings. They didn't see what was happening immediately after the storm.

I was in Pass Christian and DeLisle last weekend with a couple of friends I hadn't seen in 20 years (including my first girlfriend, who I've always wished... Oh never mind). Both of them lost their childhood homes (Both of which held very fond memories for me). Neither had telephones other than cell phones. Both of them hated Bush, even though they were typical Bush style supporters--small business owners, one was a former military wife). They couldn't be polled.

There was a definite change on the Coast towards Bush. I don't know about farther inland.

[Maddy McCall]

11. I'm inland, about an hour and a half due north of NOLA.

I'm in the SW/S Central quad of the state. He's hated here by many, who have yet to see a FEMA inspector. We had tremendous damage here after Katrina; indeed, our county was the heaviest damaged outside of the coastal counties. Many people still have tarps on their roofs.

When we got two inches of rain night before last, those people got water inside their homes. Much farm damage, timber damage, etc. here, and no one from the USDA or FEMA has yet to show up and inspect or offer help. The only help we've had has been the Blue Roofs.

Hope all of your family and friends on the coast are faring well. :hi: