In baseball, they call it the Mendoza Line. Once a position player's batting average drops below the Mendoza Line (.215 or .200, depending upon whose definition you use), he has no business in the starting line up. They don't have a name for it in politics, but George W. Bush has crossed the wrong side of that line. His approval rating, according to a new Gallup poll, stands at 39 percent. Bush's meager support among liberals did rise, which just stands to demonstrate that growing your popularity on the Left generally results in shrinking your popularity among Americans.
As an conservative evangelical Christian very concerned over the Miers nomination (this stated only in response to your last post!), Dubya has certainly made a number of decisions that have both enraged and baffled me. How does one ever reconcile runaway federal spending (No Child Left Behind, Prescription Drug Benefit, Katrina Relief), muzzling free speech (Campaign Finance Reform) and open borders (just to name a few!) with the conservative I thought I helped elect. Now comes Harriet Miers!
I would only point out that in addition to what in my opinion are miscues, George W. has also made a number of very intelligent decisions (the original tax cut, Afghanistan, Iraq, John Bolton, social securtiy reform), yet receives absolutely NO credit from the MSM. We have enjoyed an undeniably robust recovery and economy, with no credit whatsoever given to George. I sincerely believe no President in history has been so mischaracterized, his accomplishments so ignored or credited to others, and his statements so inaccurately quoted as George W. Bush. It is this unceasing campaign by the Dims and MSM which is largely responsible for the low poll ratings.
That having been said, his has made, and continues to make, mistakes. But he could be the reincarnation of Honest Abe and these guys wouldn't give him a break. Besides, he's still better than Kerry!
What makes you think GWB is popular with liberals?
Bush is the worst President since Hoover.
He is doubtless in over his head. Liberals knew this. It is now dawning on conservatives.
RC: I never said that Bush was popular with liberals. In fact, I said he had "meager support" among liberals. Read carefully.
Minnie Mendoza went 3-for-15 in 16 major league games. But he only struck out once. The guy could put wood on the ball. Plus he had a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Fortunately, the President is not of the same mold as the wet-finger-in-the-air, poll-watching, weather-vane, Cigar Willie who never even took a dump without checking the latest polls.
Popularity goes up and down based on the masses being led around by the MSM and being told "this is bad" and "this is good." Thankfully, W pays them no attention at all and continues to do what he thinks is right.
He is not running for re-election and he knows it. He couldn't care less what the polls "say" or where his "approval rating" stands moment to moment. He understands that the only poll that counts happens on the first Tuesday in November every couple of years.
