No Bounce for the “Surge”: Americans ‘More Pessimistic’ After Bush’s Iraq Speech
by Pamela LeaveyIt appears there’s been no bounce for the “surge” after Bush’s address to the nation last week. On the contrary, a USA Today Poll finds that Americans are “more pessimistic.” Why am I not surprised? Even his 60 Minutes performance didn’t help.
“President Bush’s address to the nation last week outlining a ‘new way forward’ in Iraq failed to move public opinion in support of his plan to increase U.S. troop levels and left Americans more pessimistic about the likely outcome of the war,” USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page writes this afternoon.
She adds that “in a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday, more than 6 of 10 back the idea of a non-binding congressional resolution expressing opposition to Bush’s plan to commit an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq.”
Here’s the details from the poll via USA Today’s On Deadline Blog:
• 47% said it is “certain” or “likely” the U.S. will “win” in Iraq, vs. 50% who said that before Bush’s speech.
• 49% said it is “unlikely” the U.S. will win or “certain” it will not, vs. 46% who said that before Bush’s speech.
• 29% said the president does have a “clear plan” for handling the situation in Iraq, vs. 25% who said that before the speech.
• 69% said the president does not have a “clear plan,” vs. 72% who said that before the speech.
• 21% said Democrats in Congress have a “clear plan” for Iraq, vs. 25% who said that before the speech.
• 75% said Democrats in Congress do not have a “clear plan” for Iraq, vs. 66% who said that before the speech.
• Bush’s overall “approval rating” stood at 34%, vs. 37% before the speech.
• The percentage who said they disapprove of Bush’s performance as president was 63%, vs. 59% before the speech.
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Some of those numbers seems to contradict themselves. But they still tell a story. But Georgie ain’t worried about polls, him and his buddies got dollahs to make!!!!
Well, you have to admit that a “Non-Binding Resolution” does not look anything like a “Clear Plan for Iraq,” from the Dems, especially from those who say they won’t use the “power of the purse” to cut off funding for the debacle.
I, for one, was hoping for something more forceful. Waaay more forceful.
If you were a soldier being sent to, or already in, Iraq, would you rather the country “support you” by sending you bullets, body armor and MREs, or would you rather be home?