since that thread was such a hit, especially with al p and slowguy, i thought i’d post this chart i found. it’s a timeline that shows bush’s popularity ratings in a number of polls with the dates that terror alerts were issued highlighted as well along the x-axis. fairly interesting, in my opinion. now, i am NOT saying that every terror alert is/was politically motivated. but, there is a bit of a pattern that emerges. terror alerts came when bush’s poll numbers had been sliding. after said terror alert, there was a slight uptick in his ratings, then a resumption of decline. only once, that i can see, was there an alert issued during a time when ratings were on the upswing. the terror alerts came more frequently as conventions and the november neared. again, i am NOT saying that all the alerts were politically motivated. however, when you see this chart and couple it with ridge’s commentary, it raises some questions, for me anyways…
The WH spinmeisters (Rove et al) manipulate the national security apparatus for political gain. It’s so obvious that the only surprise is that more people aren’t outraged. The key here, and the frustrating thing for folks like me (Dems, liberals, etc…) is that the GOP is so good at it.
Speaking from a Canadian perspective, what does he care how popular he is since he doesn’t have to worry about getting re-elected again? Seriously, I don’t understand. Can’t he pretty much do as he wants now?
Yes and no. The popularity numbers are important because they indicate his ability to push his agenda through, especially with Congressmen who are constantly reading tea leaves because they are constantly running for re-election.
As a result, that’s why you see large scale ambivalence about his Social Security proposals, because the public hasn’t shown much enthusiasm in poll numbers for his “plan”, resulting in similar rhetoric from Congress.
also, if you look at that graph, it only chronicles the terror alerts up until about july/august '04–prior to the last election…don’t believe there have been any post election.
The WH spinmeisters (Rove et al) manipulate the national security apparatus for political gain. It’s so obvious that the only surprise is that more people aren’t outraged. The key here, and the frustrating thing for folks like me (Dems, liberals, etc…) is that the GOP is so good at it.
I totally agree. Not only that, but they deliberately lied to send us into war. I guess that’s nothing compared to lying about a blowjob.
Ignore me, I have heard that I am simply a partisan dip.