From the Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114...Y_20070512.html

THE HARRIS POLL

Bush's Ratings Hit

New Low, Poll Shows

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE

May 12, 2006

President Bush's approval rating has fallen to its lowest mark of his presidency, according to a new Harris Interactive poll.

Of 1,003 U.S. adults surveyed in a telephone poll, 29% think Mr. Bush is doing an "excellent or pretty good" job as president, down from 35% in April and significantly lower than 43% in January. It compares with 71% of Americans who said Mr. Bush is doing an "only fair or poor" job, up from 63% in April.

RATING BUSH'S PERFORMANCE

• See previous Harris polls from April, March and February and January of 2006

• Polling organizations tracked in the related graphic ask respondents about President Bush's performance in different ways.

Meanwhile, approval ratings for Congress are also sliding, as 18% of Americans say Congress is doing an "excellent or pretty good job," compared with 80% who say Congress is doing an "only fair or poor" job. In February, 25% of Americans gave Congress a positive rating and 71% gave a negative rating.

Elsewhere, roughly one-quarter of U.S. adults say "things in the country are going in the right direction," while 69% say "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track." This trend has declined every month since January, when 33% said the nation was heading in the right direction.

In terms of political-party identification, 48% of Republicans said "right direction" while 39% of Republicans said "wrong track." In comparison, just 13% of Democrats said "right direction" and 83% of Democrats responded with "wrong track."

Iraq remains a key concern for the general public, as 28% of Americans said they consider Iraq to be one of the top two most important issues the government should address, up from 23% in April. The immigration debate also prompted 16% of Americans to consider it a top issue, down from 19% last month, but still sharply higher from just 4% in March.

Gas and oil prices (14%) leapfrogged health care as the third most important issue, up sharply from 3% from April, while the economy (13%) and health care (8%) rounded out the top five issues.

Go to link above for more info.

Nope Max, you are not the only one here. I am one. But I know better than to respond to these hateful, wrong and incohent messages about the President. You get warned, screamed at and called all sorts of names by people who ONLY believe in hearsay and lies.

Hearsay and lies is what Bush specializes in. Saying there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is pretty much the biggest lie that was told from this administration.

But you keep going. Support your position, but here, you can not speak your mind or, dare I say the right side because you will get warned by mods that like to pick on you for your beliefs...its so nice and fair!

I enjoy listening/reading Conservatives speak their opinion...but I wouldn't say it's the RIGHT side.

Immigration reform...AT LEAST he is making an effort to get it going.....

Bush's plan for Immigration Reform = Free Ride For Illegals. And THAT is unacceptable, IMO. Period. Bush is looking out for big business(and their penchant for low wages and illegal workers) at the expense of our country.

And how far do you think we will get on securing the Mexican border? Probably not that far. If Bush was so damn concerned about the safety of the United States, he would have secured our borders with the millions of dollars in the budget for Homeland Security. Anyone not a citizen of this country jumping over a FENCE, or even crossing a border line poses such a great security risk for this country. If Al-Qaida is as bad as the Bush Administration claims, they could easily sneak across the Mexican Border.

Now, before you !@#$%^&*] me out, I am fully aware of how the 9-11 terrorists came in and destroyed our country: they had work visas and were in the country legally.

But who's to say that this isn't an option for terrorism that can't be pursued? I can easily see terrorists crossing the border and gaining materials to bomb or set oil fields on fire. Or Lord knows what else?!

And even worse, our own damn government is telling the President of Mexico WHERE THE MINUTEMEN ARE LOCATED! These are people who volunteer their time to secure the border and do the job the government doesn't WANT to do. Are you [!@#$%^&*] kidding me?!

Bottom line: Bush says he's doing something about illegal immigration, but he's as soft on the issue as Bob Dole without his viagra.

Oh wait, people in Iraq were being gassed, killed, raped, tourtured by their government, but we should do nothing...but lets go to Africa....and save them. Should we help...YES....and we should help ALL we can. Whether or not George Clooney wants us too

Genocide was a problem in Africa LONG before the Bush Family got mad at Saddam and Osama. But they don't have oil. And the people of Darfur can't cross a border to "get a better life" and make $5.15 an hour at Tyson.

Nope Max, you are not the only one here. I am one. But I know better than to respond to these hateful, wrong and incohent messages about the President. You get warned, screamed at and called all sorts of names by people who ONLY believe in hearsay and lies.

Sorry the posts on this board are not wrong or incoherent.

But you keep going. Support your position, but here, you can not speak your mind or, dare I say the right side because you will get warned by mods that like to pick on you for your beliefs...its so nice and fair!

Really???!!! I don't think so.

Ultra-left? I think anyone with an ounce of brains -- whether you're a Democrat or Republican -- would think Bush is a laughingstock and an idiot. It's no surprise that even members of his own party are distancing themselves from him. This isn’t a "right" or "left", Republican or Democrat issue..... it's a common sense issue

And it is comments like this that prove that some people do not look at the big picture.

The big picture is that anyone with a brain would think W is a laughingstock and an idiot and a liar.

We had a good economy under Clinton...what else happened? NOTHING. Bush has at least attempted to tackle issues that no one has done a damn thing about...No Child Left Behind...you might not like it but at least something is being done, Medicare...you might not like it, but at least someone is trying to get something going, the economy is doing wonderful, unemployment at a nice VERY NICE low number, Immigration reform...AT LEAST he is making an effort to get it going.....

The huge deficit racked up by Reagan and Bush Sr. disappeared and we had a budget surplus, that btw W got rid of in record time and now we have an even bigger record deficit than his daddy. No Child Left Behind has been a huge failure, no surprise since W's Texas (where he was Governor) has one of the rest education records in the US!

You might not like the war, but that does not mean anyone should be impeached just because you do not believe that we should not help those who can not help themselves...

W lied to get his Iraq war started. That's why he, Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld should be impeached. Also those secret meetings Dick had with big oil companies.

Oh wait, people in Iraq were being gassed, killed, raped, tourtured by their government, but we should do nothing...but lets go to Africa....and save them. Should we help...YES....and we should help ALL we can. Whether or not George Clooney wants us too

W, Dick, Condi & Rumsfeld, et. al's reasons for Iraq didn't include those you state Kwing

Bush is a [!@#$%^&*] embarrassment, maybe the worst president ever, someone who never was legitimately elected in the first place. 29% approval rating is much more than that dufus deserves!

He definitley is. That s.o.b. needs to go!

Evan, Mulder, and bellcurve-I second everything you all posted!

Oh and here is some more news regarding Dumbya:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/...&ltl=1148645686

I encourage you all to sign!

Evan, Mulder, and bellcurve-I second everything you all posted!

Oh and here is some more news regarding Dumbya:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/...lt;l=1148645686

I encourage you all to sign!

Thanks DevotedToAMC. I definitely signed that petition.

Kwing42, thank your for your excellent post. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that--despite the fact that Democrats must outnumber Republicans here by at least 25 to 1--there is someone else who shares my political views.

Below are two points that I would like to make:

*Many of you claim that you are not ultra-left. To support your argument, you correctly point out that Bush is very unpopular not only with the ultra-left, but also among moderates and some conservatives as well. However, given the tone of your reterhoic (sp?), it is extremely obvious that you still indeed are ultra-left. You see, even though Bush is very unpopular with most Americans, most of those who dislike him are NOT vicious when they voice their disapproval, do NOT say that Bush is America's worst (or almost its worst) president in history, do NOT say he stole the election, and are NOT in support of him being impeached and removed from office. On the other hand, those who are absolutely brutal when criticising Bush, say that he stole the election, and/or demand his immediate impeachment--like so many posters in this thread--consist of only those who belong to the liberal fringes of America.

*On a different matter, I have seen some of you say that you miss the Clinton years when the economy was so great and that Bush himself is to blame for the bad economic times. (Yet, one thing that is a fact is that the current economic condition of the country is quite good, even though the economy is not as "sizzling" as it was during the 1990's.) For those of you who think Bush is the one who caused the bad recession of the early part of this decade, you need to be reminded of the fact that the economic recession began circa April 2000--a full nine months before Bush even became president. The fact that the economy continued to tank until the current economic recovery began in 2003 is the result of three factors: First, the economy is by its nature very cyclical (and this natural cycle is not something that even the president is powerful enough to control), with long periods of boom eventually--yet inevitably (sp?)--coming to an end to be automatically followed by periods of bust. Second, the already weakening economy was given a near-fatal blow with the events of 9/11. (Although I hate to mention 9/11, since somebody is likely to begin a tirade as to how that was Bush's fault.) And third, the natural cycle of boom and bust was made much worse by the wide-spread accounting fraud of the late-1990's (which obviously occurred while Clinton, and not Bush, was president). Much of the record profits and booming growth of the late-1990's existed only on paper, and not in any sort of substantive way. That's because such "profits" were the result of the illegal accounting practice of recognizing revenue before it was even earned: specifically, as soon as a contract was made or cash was received, the company would classify that as revenue, despite the fact that no goods or services had been delivered (and, as it turned out, were never delievered at any subsequent time). Also, while not a form of accounting fraud, many businesses made large acquistions in the late-1990's by borrowing huge sums of debt. When it came time to repay the loans, the companies did not have the money and subsequently were forced to go out of business. Thus, given the lies and carelessness that were commonplace in the late-1990's economy, it was inevitable that things would soon come crashing down.

*On a different matter, I have seen some of you say that you miss the Clinton years when the economy was so great and that Bush himself is to blame for the bad economic times. (Yet, one thing that is a fact is that the current economic condition of the country is quite good, even though the economy is not as "sizzling" as it was during the 1990's.)

That's because under Clinton we formed alliances with other nations, he apologized in 1997 regarding the incident with the Tuskegee survey that took place 25 years prior in 1972 (for more info, I recommend http://en.wikipedia.org as a search engine-I certainly do not have time right now to explain what happens but here are a few key words: neglience, infringement on human rights especially those within the Tuskegee vicinity, unethical behavior surrounding medicine and experimentation, he used NAFTA to help strengthen the economy that suffered greatly from The Persian Gulf War which we entered illegaly by Herr Bush #41 yet for some odd reason he remained somewhat popular, health care was always an issue and never placed on the backburner (e.g. he signed COBRA into law)

And we wasted so much money over something he could get (a BJ) yet Bushwhacker couldn't get even if he was on Viagra and Budlight at the same time?!

Someone had a sign the other day-"Somebody give him a BJ so we can impeach him"

***Nuff said***

"Many of you claim that you are not ultra-left."

Max, with all due respect, I'm not sure what you mean by ULTRA left wing. Castro's Cuba? The Soviet Union? I admit to being left of center and probably more to the left than most people here. In principle, I believe unions and universal healthcare are good things. That does not make me a communist. I suspect you need read up on a little more history and rely on more than people like Ann Coulter for your info. And it works both ways. Some on the left would have us believe that the current republican regime is as ultra-rightwing as fascists like Hitler, Mussolini or Generalissimo Franciso Franco.

I'm scared for people who believe the crap that spews out of Ann Coulter's mouth. Insane asylum inmates are not as crazy as that idiot is. I bet you when Bill O'Reilly made obscene phone calls to that intern, he was probably trying to reach Ann first.

What did Ann Coulter say when Bill O'Reilly propostioned her?

NEIGH!

Wait a moment, please.

First, Toadstool did bring up a good point about what "ultra-left" means. The definition of "ultra-left" that I am using applies to only American politics. Obviously, the ultra-left in this country are nowhere near the communists in their political views. And, to a much lesser extent, what is considered "ultra-left" in this country is--to be completely honest--actually considered to be mainstream in Canada and Europe. (Think of it in this way: The far-left American Democrats have similar views to members of the "Conservative" parties in Canada and Europe. On the other hand, members of the "Liberal" parties in Canada and Europe hold views that are perceived as outright socialism in the United States.)

And secondly, I want to state that I most certainly do not get my news from Ann Coulter or from right-wing radio. While I am certainly a conservative, I am a "traditional/mainstream/McCain" kind of conservative. I am actually very displeased over the amount of influence that the religious right has in my party.

Thanks Max. I suspected that was your context and I apologize if my mention of Ann C. offended you. John McCain is certainly the best the right has to offer. You sound like an old-style Repub, like my Mom. I live in Canada now but have dual citizenship. What you say about context is true but also disturbing. The USA's biggest ally in Iraq, The UK, is a socialist country by your definition; is this kind of "socialism" objectionable and ULTRA LEFT?

I agree with every semantic argument you stated about "Ultra left wing" and how it is pervceived in The USA. My only caveat is that the USA is NOT the world and must realize that if they are taking on the task of policing the world. Definitions of "ultra left wing" may work within the confines of the US. I don't believe you can sustain that definition as long as the US continues to operate on the world stage.

Good talking to you Max

Max..I am glad you are here.

I love that we all have different views and different beliefs..that is what makes the country so great. Some of my best friends are people that I do not see eye to eye with politically...but the thing is..we are mature enough to talk about it in an adult like manner and be great friends even when we disagree.

I support my candidate of choice...if they win great, if they lose..well that sucks, but better luck next time.

What I really hate is when people (especially on the boards) get downright nasty, make up lies, twist stories and do not play on an equal playing field.

I was not a Clinton supporter. When he came to my town, I did not attend the rallies as a supporter or protestor. I feel that protesting is horrid and wrong. If i do not support you, I will stay away and let your followers have their time with you.

If I do not support you, I will say what I think...GOOD AND BAD. I will not bring you down to a level that no one should be placed at.

I really think it is sad when people do not get their way they blame the "winners". And then start ripping them apart, spreading lies and etc.

I love that people have passion in politics...I think it is sad when people use that passion for evil. If you can not find any good in the opposition, you have really lost touch with reality in my opinion.

Even if you do not agree with someone...our elected officials do serve us and do what they think is best..which is why they are elected.

I think some of these posts on here are just down right sick.

And I am speaking to all sides...

Just my opinion.

What I really hate is when people (especially on the boards) get downright nasty, make up lies, twist stories and do not play on an equal playing field.

This begs the question: What lies have we made up? What stories have we twisted that weren't already twisted by Bush and his goons?

you might not like it but at least something is being done, Medicare.

Not going to get into everything else, since it's been covered, but if you think his plan to "save and improve" Medicare is a success, somebody told you wrong. You're right that I don't like it. I'm 35 with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I've been on Medicare for a few years and it has RAPIDLY gotten WORSE, not better in that short amount of time. The prescription drug plan is a JOKE. I know because I live it. If not for my own stubborn attitude and mission to find out everything I could on my own, I would have been screwed over a lot worse, like the millions of senior citizens and young disabled who aren't capable of taking care of their affairs, or who don't have someone looking out for them in this country. The forms and entire process for choosing a plan was an absolute disgrace. IMO, it was designed so that the very people who needed it would not be able to capitalize on the benefits. Oh, what a surprise. But of course I get to hear, "Bush has done something with Medicare!" Who cares exactly WHAT is he did though, right?

This begs the question: What lies have we made up? What stories have we twisted that weren't already twisted by Bush and his goons?

Exactly. Bush and his cronies lied more than a rug on the floor. All we're doing is calling them out on it.