A statistical snapshot of a peevish, worried country
Picking through a new Wall Street Journal/NBCpoll for nuggets to feed the ravenous crowd:
Americans are more pessimistic than they were over the summer, with only 36 percent saying the country is on the right track, down from 42 percent in June. But that’s a lot better than we were a year ago, when only 12 percent thought we were on the right track.
The all-time high on Americans feeling the country was on the right track? It was 72 percent, and it came in September 2001.
Barack Obama’s job approval/disapproval split is 51/42, about where it has been since summer. The same question asked about Congress produces an approval/disapproval of 24/65.
Forty-two percent have at least a somewhat positive view of the Democratic Party. Only 25 percent have a similar view of the Republicans.
Only 27 percent have at least a somewhat positive view of Sarah Palin, compared to 46 percent with a somewhat negative or worse impression. That question has been asked seven times since she burst on the national stage last fall, and they have worsened every time.
The numbers for Nancy Pelosi are similar — 26 percent at least mildly positive, 42 percent at least mildly negative.
Forty-six percent would like Democrats to control Congress, while 38 percent would prefer Republican control. Those numbers haven’t changed much since last November (48%D, 36%R).
Sixty-three percent say Obama inherited this economic mess, while 20 percent say it is largely Obama’s fault. Those numbers are gradually shifting over time; in June it was 72 percent inherited, 14 percent Obama’s fault; in February they were 82/8.
Sixty-three percent say the government has done too little or the right amount to help the economy; 30 percent say it has done too much. But in a seeming contradiction, only 31 percent say we should boost the economy and worry about the deficit later, compared to 62 percent who say we should worry first about the deficit. Go figure.
Forty-six percent say they would at least mildly favor “building a new independent political party to run a credible candidate for president.” Third party revolution, baby! But no. That number hasn’t actually changed much since it was asked in April 2006, when it drew 45 percent at least mildly favorable to a third party.
Forty-eight percent support a public option; 42 percent oppose.
Forty-seven percent would at least somewhat support additional troops for Afghanistan; 43 percent would oppose. Those numbers are actually more supportive of a surge than a month ago, when they were 44 percent for more troops, 51 percent opposed.
But the level of support changes significantly depending on the size of the troop increase.
Fifty-five percent would accept an increase of 10,000 troops, while 36 percent would not accept it. If you increase the troop number to 40,000, only 43 percent would accept it while 49 percent would not.
Forty-eight percent would support action on climate change even if it meant higher utility bills; 43 percent would not.
There’s a lot more to the poll if you want to sift it yourself. But the above should get you started.
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359 comments Add your comment
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:29 am
g’morning, Jay!
but-but-but … Gallup says everyone calls themselves conservative!
RW-(the original)
October 28th, 2009
8:31 am
Poll chewing again?
I guess I’ll head to the forest and hope for something interesting later.
Marsh
October 28th, 2009
8:34 am
We do have steady hands at the wheel.
Peadawg
October 28th, 2009
8:34 am
“with only 36 percent saying the country is on the right track, down from 42 percent in June.”
Looks like people are losing faith in Obama.
“But that’s a lot better than we were a year ago, when only 12 percent thought we were on the right track.”
Sugarcoat all you want….
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 28th, 2009
8:36 am
Well, I don’t know what this RW fellow keeps in that forest, but it must be awful good. Seems like he’s there every a.m., rain or shine.
Us rednecks don’t pay attention to no polls. We know what we want, and it ain’t this Obama and the libruls. We want God back in the schools, women locked up if they have abortions, and taxes cut some more.
It don’t matter if people say they don’t like us Conservatives, long as they vote for us.
Have a good day everybody.
jt
October 28th, 2009
8:41 am
The people who produce will be less annoyed in 2010.
Elated in 2012.
1095 days to go.
GEORGE CONSERVATIVE
October 28th, 2009
8:43 am
OBAMA IS 100% RUINING AMERICA!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 28th, 2009
8:44 am
Funny, you libs can’t quit obsessing about Sarah.
To bad we can’t get you to worry about Afghanistan, runaway spending, or unemployment.
Turd Ferguson
October 28th, 2009
8:44 am
Ya…lets trash Bush in a feeble attempt to make Obobo our “knight in shining armor coming to our emotional rescue”.
Nice try though! Johnny what do we have for our player? Well Bob we have an all expense paid trip to Atlanta Ga. There you will be treated to a tour of the socialist HQ of the South…thats right enjoy The AJC building, CNN World Headquarter and tour the office of the Mayor Ms Shirley “incompetence” Franklin AND Bob, a 2 months supply of Turtle Wax Car Polish. Thanks for playing!!
GoingBroke
October 28th, 2009
8:45 am
I think what people are starting to figure out is that they were “suckers” if they thought they were voting for “Change” The only realy change that we have seen is in the vocabulary and that Obama has MUCH better spin doctors than the previous administration. Must be all that practice from Chicago.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:45 am
“Elated in 2012″
… when Obama is reelected in a landslide because the GOP la-la-LOVES them some Bachmann nuttiness … keep reaching for the right, GOP …
Kamchak
October 28th, 2009
8:46 am
Polls, shmolls. How about a seditious video game to show how the Ron Paulers feel.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:47 am
Kam –
been waiting for you and Bosch to get here …
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6893069.ece
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:50 am
Kam – (from your article)
“In the game’s scenario, 20 million armed American “patriots” begin seizing local and federal government offices. These are the same people whose earlier Tea Party protests had been ignored and dismissed by the mainstream media. Now, they post bounties for government employees. There’s fighting in every state. Meanwhile, Lou Dobbs has been disappeared, and Glenn Beck has been found dead of an “aspirin overdose.” Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, Sean Hannity, and Bill O’Reilly have been rounded up, and Fox News forcibly shut down. The US military refuses to come to Obama’s rescue. His loyalist forces of 40,000 end up controlling merely three counties in Virginia, while an allied force is in charge of three counties near Washington, DC. The Federal Reserve also controls two of its own counties, as does the Cong (the remnants of the Democratic Congress). A collection of pro-Obama black nationalists and Islamic fundamentalists have a hold on two counties. What can you do as a player? You can join the patriots trying to capture Obama and defeat the Cong.”
dangitall, now I can’t remember the poster who had me on the floor last week with his comment “they’re building the gulags AS. WE. SPEAK!!!”
man. this game is for him!
Mrs. Godzilla
October 28th, 2009
8:51 am
Make fun of the gulags all ya’ want…..but the food will be great.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:52 am
Mrs. G -
Is your gulaggy goodness going to be based on Paula Deen???
Paul
October 28th, 2009
8:54 am
Saw a couple polls the other day. Number one concern: economy (read: jobs!). Number two: the level of government spending. Number three (way down): health care.
Now there is a misleading impression when one is asked “what’s your most important concern?” Just because something comes in at three does not make it unimportant; rather, it’s lower in relation to something else. Level of concern is not addressed.
That provides insight into the above results. Go figure? on gov’t spending and fixing the economy seeming to contradict. I’ll offer people saw government intervention as necessary to prevent a bigger disaster, but many saw the stim package as larger than it needed to be. Add in the deficits and concern over new spending without the funds to pay for it, and it seems the public may be at a tipping point.
As far as support for a public option: sorry, all you “Frank Luntz is evil, Republicans are manipulators” types. Time for a new mantra. Just yesterday Spkr Pelosi announced we no longer have a public option (wasn’t it known as a government option before that?). We now have a ‘consumer option.’
Ya gotta love it -
Peadawg
October 28th, 2009
8:56 am
“… when Obama is reelected in a landslide because the GOP la-la-LOVES them some Bachmann nuttiness … keep reaching for the right, GOP …”
The way the economy’s going, Afghanistan, bailouts, job losses…I wouldn’t put too much money on that UK
jt
October 28th, 2009
8:56 am
Thanks Kam-
I got a tingling feeling up my leg.
Kamchak
October 28th, 2009
8:56 am
USinUK
Wow. I’ve seen televised UEFA games that were played in front of the press only in a near empty stadium because of the same kind of damnfoolishness by fans in Italy.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:57 am
Peadawg –
“The way the economy’s going, Afghanistan, bailouts, job losses…I wouldn’t put too much money on that UK”
it’s a long-long-LONG time until 2012 … ask Papa Bush, he of the 92% approval rating following Gulf War I …
Mrs. Godzilla
October 28th, 2009
8:58 am
She’ll be in the rotation.
mm
October 28th, 2009
8:58 am
Jay,
You know polls only count when they favor the wingnuts.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
8:58 am
jt –
“I got a tingling feeling up my leg.”
dude. TMI.
stands for decibels
October 28th, 2009
9:00 am
think what people are starting to figure out is that they were “suckers” if they thought they were voting for “Change”
We’ll see about 27 variations of this right wing meme before the thread is done. To put it simply, though:
The polling reflects about what you’d expect from a major party-switch headed by a President with an ambitious domestic agenda. While a decent chunk of Americans who DIDN’T vote for Obama in November were happy to tell pollsters that they were pulling for him to succeed, as the usual political-opposition games get played and tempers rise, those well-wishers dwindle. It’s the nature of things.
And contrary to what they say, those of us who actually VOTED for the guy are pretty happy with what we’ve seen; obviously we all have our beefs, and we knew that going in.
But you wingers go on clinging to your notions of Obama voters fitting some clueless composite you have in your mind. It’s what you do.
And Jay, seriously, is this really “peevish?” It’s just the kind of muddled range of opinions one would expect at this stage, when so much is still up in the air.
Oh, another thing…
it’s a long-long-LONG time until 2012 … ask Papa Bush, he of the 92% approval rating following Gulf War I …
Ask, as well, the ghost of Ronald Reagan, whose first term polling bottomed out in the low 40s/high 30s as he coped with double-digit unemployment in late ‘82. As I’m fond of reminding people, his re-election turned out passably well, he didn’t actually win ALL 50 states though.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:00 am
Kam –
“Wow. I’ve seen televised UEFA games that were played in front of the press only in a near empty stadium because of the same kind of damnfoolishness by fans in Italy.”
it’s appalling. and it’s the reason the mister and I don’t go to football matches – taze the lot of ‘em, I say.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:01 am
dB –
your 9:00 is yet another reason I’m so crushing on you!
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
October 28th, 2009
9:02 am
No wonder Obama can’t make a decision, the polls haven’t told his telepromter which way the wind is blowing. Obama is stuck in neutral while the nation meltsdown.
Palin/Liz Cheney 2012 – No more smoking in the boys room
Mrs. Godzilla
October 28th, 2009
9:04 am
dB
You said it all and very well.
Now can we get back to the stolen clown cars?
kayaker 71
October 28th, 2009
9:08 am
The most significant poll lately was taken about 2 weeks ago…. saw it on CNN and Fox. Stated that 66% of independents either dissaprove or strongly dissaprove of where Bozo is taking this country. All of these upset people will certainly not end up in the Democratic column but will either not vote in the 2010 elections or will change their party affiliation. These are the people who win elections and they ain’t too happy. Stay tuned.
Marsh
October 28th, 2009
9:11 am
Making the decision to send troops to war is not like deciding what to have for breakfast. Not if you value human life.
AmVet
October 28th, 2009
9:12 am
“Ya…lets trash Bush in a feeble attempt…”
Turd, you dyslexic!
It should read, “Ya…lets Bush trash in a feeble attempt…”
Almost no one of any standing even bothers to deny it anymore; that he was sheer garbage as prez and left US, as in virtually all of US, in the greatest cesspool in American history…
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 28th, 2009
9:13 am
Well, I’m with Mrs. G. It’s just a danged shame a 50 year old banker can’t dress up and wear a pot hat and buzz up a street in a little purple car that sort of looks like something you’d give a kid for Christmas. Without getting robbed by the Criminal Element. Mark my words. Next thing you know those cars will show up as ATVs on dirt roads thru woods. We need Law and Order!
stands for decibels
October 28th, 2009
9:15 am
I’m so crushing on you!
Well, you’re not too shabby yerself.
(Mister UK isn’t going to sic his lager louts on me for typing that, is he?)
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:16 am
wow … mm says “You know polls only count when they favor the wingnuts.”
then kayaker, right on cue, chimes in with “The most significant poll lately was taken about 2 weeks ago…. saw it on CNN and Fox. Stated that 66% of independents either dissaprove or strongly dissaprove of where Bozo is taking this country”
huzzah!!! thanks for the chuckle, kayaker
Mrs. Godzilla
October 28th, 2009
9:17 am
Convert
seems the perps went back to the get the last three…..the law enforcement community had the storage center staked out…..the perps
got away again
is it a rival gang of clowns? the elks? the moose?
kids loved those silly grown ups in silly cars in parades…..
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:18 am
dB –
“(Mister UK isn’t going to sic his lager louts on me for typing that, is he?)”
hahaha … yeah, bruv, they’re hard men they are, innit …
norman ravitch
October 28th, 2009
9:18 am
Are we on the right track? Right track to what?
This country is divided into a lower class which looks like the show Wife Swap and a middle class which looks like Desperate Housewives. Decadent, ignorant, uneducated, bigoted, and fat.
Paul
October 28th, 2009
9:19 am
kayaker 71
To tag onto your comment: there’s another cause for concern for Democrats in 2010, let alone 2012. As the Virginia governor’s race shows, areas that had a large voter turnout in the Presidential election – large for the Democrat – aren’t seeing that level of expected voter turnout. Will there be a surge? Who knows. But if there isn’t, and those disaffected vote Republican… well, the ‘it’s not so bad’ spin has already begun.
Marsh
October 28th, 2009
9:19 am
However bad other former Presidents may be considered, they do not touch Shrub for all round ineptitude.
You just can’t give a really stupid guy the hardest job in the world and expect him to shine.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:20 am
Mrs. G -
“kids loved those silly grown ups in silly cars in parades…..”
manymanymany moons ago, back when I had housemates instead of a hubster, one of my roommies lost her grandfather and told me about all his fellow Shriners that turned up at the funeral … it was all I could do not to ask “was the hearse one of those little cars???”
Turd Ferguson
October 28th, 2009
9:21 am
Well as unemployment continues to increase, jobs continue to decrease, home values plunge, waffling with regard to Afghan/Iraq the Obobo voters will remain in denial. Obobo could well find himself with much worse approval/disapproval numbers etc than Pres Bush. Oh its a long run till we get there, however, quite in the realm of possibilty.
Gonna get worse before it gets better…Usher in the Anti-Christ!
Paul
October 28th, 2009
9:21 am
Marsh
[[Making the decision to send troops to war is not like deciding what to have for breakfast. ]]
If it took that long to decide what to have for breakfast, people would starve to death.
Kamchak
October 28th, 2009
9:22 am
USinUK
Another reason to stay off the pitch. eewwww.
david wayne osedach
October 28th, 2009
9:24 am
What I find very surprising is the marginal support Americans have for the Afghanistan war. Slightly more in favor than against.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:27 am
Usher is the Anti-Christ??? I know they played that awful “Yeah” was played ad nauseum, but the anti-christ??? I still think that’s Celine Deon …
“Well as unemployment continues to increase, jobs continue to decrease, home values plunge, waffling with regard to Afghan/Iraq the Obobo voters will remain in denial”
unemployment is set to increase until early next year, when it will start to fall … home values have actually been rising for the last 3 months … as I said earlier, Obama is getting conflicting advice from people in the field in Afghanistan, so I’d rather he be deliberative than change his mind every 5 minutes, thankyewverymuch …
German Shepherd Dawg
October 28th, 2009
9:27 am
dB -
Sorry to spoil the love fest, but memes are a myth created by Richard Dawkins because he peevishly insists there is no God.
As far as those of you who voted for Obama being happy with what you got, you must be speaking for the die-hard liberal Democrat contingent. The few Obama voters I know (and am related to in fact) have expressed some serious buyer’s remorse.
A final thought before leaving – polls are worthless except on the day of election, my favorites (Rasmussen and Zogby) included. The way questions are shaped plays significant impact on the result. Rasmussen has 40 percent of the population describing themselves as “conservative”, 20 percent say they are “liberal” and about 35 percent say they are moderate. There is no way on earth Obama can paint himself as a moderate in 2012, but he could still win.
The telling thing will be how significant the 2010 elections turn Congress. If both houses go Republican, Obama actually stands a better chance because people like split power in government, to render them less effective.
That might be the only reason I’d ever vote for him…
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 28th, 2009
9:27 am
Well, the cops may be able to spot somebody buzzing along a innerstate in one of them clown cars. But maybe not. There’s lots of weird cars out there. The other day I seen a open top jeep with a machine gun mounted on it and the driver dressed in a fake army uniform. It’s kind of hard to pick out a clown car in that kind of crowd and besides they can hide between the big pickups and SUVs that clog the roads.
But I sure would of liked to hear them stakeout cops explaining to the chief how the thiefs broke in and took the other cars right under their nose.
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:28 am
“If it took that long to decide what to have for breakfast, people would starve to death”
Only if breakfast was their only meal of the day.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:28 am
Kam –
it’s not the spit, it’s the snot-rockets … ew. ew. ew. EW!!
Turd Ferguson
October 28th, 2009
9:29 am
USK…The Ferrari 458…saw those pix and immediately began shakin like I had the DTs. One thing I noticed appeared missing was the two front slots/openings for the automatic circular saw blades like is on Speed Racers Mach 5.
Guess one cant have everything…! Perhaps next years model.
Marsh
October 28th, 2009
9:29 am
Paul @ 9:21,
It doesn’t, so no worries there.
lmno
October 28th, 2009
9:30 am
The unemployment figures will begin to improve by the December report.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:30 am
“The few Obama voters I know (and am related to in fact) have expressed some serious buyer’s remorse”
yep. so many people are looking longingly at McCain/Palin and wishing they could do it alllll overrrr agaaiiiinnnnnnn …
German Shepherd Dawg
October 28th, 2009
9:30 am
david wayne osedach -
As I “revise and extend my remarks” made in the last post, don’t believe polls just because they get published. If I were asked “Do you support the Afghan war as it currently is being fought” the answer is no, but I support winning the war.
We didn’t start it, but we ought to finish it.
Turd Ferguson
October 28th, 2009
9:30 am
“I still think that’s Celine Deon” LMAO…thats Great!!
Darnit…wish I wouldve thought up that one.
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:31 am
“Sorry to spoil the love fest, but memes are a myth created by Richard Dawkins because he peevishly insists there is no God”
Huh? I’ve read Richard Dawkins, and memes have nothing to do with any god. It’s just a term he coined to illustrate how new words and phrases propagate through the language. What in the heck does that have to do with a god?
Paul
October 28th, 2009
9:31 am
Doggone/GA
Afghanistan’s the only war of the day. Unless the Pres is thinking about plussing up Iraq, too.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:31 am
TF –
“saw those pix and immediately began shakin like I had the DTs”
HA! yeah, she is one gorgeous car … did you ever get a chance to watch the Jeremy Clarkson test drive video???
German Shepherd Dawg
October 28th, 2009
9:34 am
USinUK –
I never said I was happy with McCain. But in spite of the scorn and ridicule I’m sure to have heaped upon me, Sarah Palin would do a better job than any of the three gentlemen involved in the last election.
My own sister voted for Obama because she hated Sarah Palin. This was because of a false impression created by a Tina Fey comedy skit on SNL. Sad but true…
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:35 am
“Afghanistan’s the only war of the day”
but Obama’s not going to “starve to death” if he takes time to be sure he’s making the right decision – no matter what that decision ends up being.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:36 am
“But in spite of the scorn and ridicule I’m sure to have heaped upon me, Sarah Palin would do a better job than any of the three gentlemen involved in the last election”
words simply fail.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
October 28th, 2009
9:37 am
Couple of things. First, history will recognize President Bush as a visionary and effective leader who kept this nation safe. There was a time when popular culture though Chamberlain a hero and Churchill a zero. So shall it be with President Bush.
Next, the American people know they made a miostake with Obama. They are ready to turn to Gov Palin and Liz Cheney.Any knucklehead can see how effective Gov Palin was in exerting leadership that derailed Obama’s first pass at socialized medicine.
kayaker 71
October 28th, 2009
9:38 am
US in UK,
It’s hard to argue with facts or do you have some crystal ball that allows you to do that? There has not been an election won in the last several years without independents making up the deciding vote. And again, for all of you that might not pick up on that theme, they ain’t happy.
jconservative
October 28th, 2009
9:39 am
“Only 27 percent have at least a somewhat positive view of Sarah Palin, compared to 46 percent with a somewhat negative or worse impression.”
“The numbers for Nancy Pelosi are similar — 26 percent at least mildly positive, 42 percent at least mildly negative.”
Palin is a national figure that has to answer to a national constituency. These negatives really hurt her in a national contest.
Polosi has a congressional district constituency not a national constituency. She matters not on the national stage.
Palin will be on the stage as a money maker from the social conservative Republican base. And she will make millions. But politically she will be like Rush, she will never hold national political office.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:40 am
“They are ready to turn to Gov Palin and Liz Cheney”
ohpleaseohpleaseohplease, let them run in 2012 …
German Shepherd Dawg
October 28th, 2009
9:42 am
Doggone/GA
Since you read Dawkins, you ought to know memes are his rationale to explain why man has an innate desire to answer the existential questions, i.e. “Who am I?” and “Do I have a purpose in life?”
The man is virulently and viciously opposed to God (or your lower case version) but profits enormously from bashing and attacking God, which coincidentally has nothing to do with zoology, his professed area of expertise. I could go on about how evolution itself is a mythical construct cobbling four theories together to compete with a Creator/God, but that’s way far afield from memes, which were brought into the thread by dB.
AmVet
October 28th, 2009
9:44 am
Regarding the term independents – you have got to be kidding me, right?
I don’t even know any.
Like so many terms now, the word is meaningless. Look at these posts this morning.
If by independent you infer that a voter flip-flops back and forth endlessly between candidates in the R&D party because historically in most cases those have been the only choices, OK.
But is that independent?
I believe not.
Hamstrung by those that game the system, maybe, but NOT independent.
To me, being an independent means being generally ANTI R&D Party. It means actively endorsing NON R&D Party candidates and positions. It means fighting the self-serving duopoly of entrenched and entitled wealth and power.
If you are a so called “independent”, what exactly have you done to promote this so-called independence?
Have you advocated for NON R&D Party candidates? Ever?
Have you voted for a NON R&D Party candidate in four out of the past five presidential elections?
Have you EVER voted for a NON R&D Party candidate?
Have you ever demanded that we have competitive democracy?
Have you ever advocated for the National initiative?
Or instant run-off elections?
Of course not. The American Politburo – aka the Commission on Presidential Debates, the corporatist owned mainstream media and the R&D Party – “educated” you about all these other options very well.
These are the “loons” in American politics who do not march to the R&D drum, nor PRETEND to be agents of change. They see what the entrenched career criminals and liars, er politicans, close their eyes to. That we have no real representation anymore. That we are in fact, leaderless.
They own you and you either don’t know or don’t care. But they sure do.
You work for them and give empty lip service to the fact that nearly three quarters of Americans see the two major political parties as failing we the people.
But there are vanguards. There are true grass roots efforts (not this contrived tea bagging garbage) to take power back from the oligarchs and plutocrats.
And at this moment in history, I am thrilled that I joined them years ago…
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:44 am
“ohpleaseohpleaseohplease, let them run in 2012 …”
My thoughts exactly…but if I was one of the conned, I’d prefer Cheney/Palin. After all, Palin is going to need the extra time she’d get as a VP to care for her special needs child.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:45 am
kayaker –
“And again, for all of you that might not pick up on that theme, they ain’t happy.”
and yet they still prefer the Democrats over the Republicans when asked party they prefer running congress … funny that …
Paul
October 28th, 2009
9:45 am
DoggoneGA
Let’s review the timeline regarding how long it takes to make a decision.
As early as the invasion of Iraq Pres Obama said we were making a mistake – the just war was in Afghanistan. He criticized the diversion of soldiers and supplies and not keeping Afg in the center of our attention.
He watched the deterioration for years and continued to criticize.
He made it a primary and general election theme.
After the election, before taking office, his incoming administration met with Bush Administration officials on the result of their month’s long review, headed by Major General Lute, on what the assumptions were, should be, what the state was and what should be done. (Yes, even though Rahm and Axelrod said nothing had been done for eight years, hard questions not asked, after Cheney refuted that Pres Secretary Gibbs said, well, yeah, shucks, there was a review but it’s Top Secret so I can’t talk about it. See the press gaggle transcript from Monday).
He then takes a couple months and in March announces his decision, flanked by his Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State. It’s a major event. Big decision.
Then, oops, comes the surprise. The elections were corrupt. Afghan officials are corrupt. This is a surprise?!!? Gives one pause about what they’re going to get surprised on next.
So years of observing, criticizing and hopefully thinking what he’d do if he ran the zoo. Then elected, review, couple months in he decides. Then he decides he made a bad decision so he has to decide again.
So it’s nine months after his inauguration. Nine months. Time to have the baby.
German Shepherd Dawg
October 28th, 2009
9:46 am
USinUK – Try harder.
I didn’t say I wanted her to be president, I said she’s less scary and more sensible than Obama, Biden and McCain. I never liked McCain.
If you want a “dream” ticket in 2012, I’d put Congressman Mike Pence with somebody intelligent and impressive – I’d love Thomas Sowell or Walter Williams to get into politics. There are a couple of brilliant men who could lead this country with intelligence and wit guided by conservative principles, and both of them have a skin color most politically correct by our current standards…
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:48 am
“Since you read Dawkins, you ought to know memes are his rationale to explain why man has an innate desire to answer the existential questions, i.e. “Who am I?” and “Do I have a purpose in life?”
But, true to his point, the term “meme” has propagated through the language as a term for words and phrases that propogate through the language…thus leaving behind any “existential” background he may have originally intended.
“The man is virulently and viciously opposed to God (or your lower case version)”
I used the lower case because he is not just anti-Christian God, but is anti-god period.
” but profits enormously from bashing and attacking God, which coincidentally has nothing to do with zoology, his professed area of expertise. ”
God is a big boy, if he’s offended he can take care of it himself.
Paul
October 28th, 2009
9:49 am
USinUK
[[words simply fail.]]
It’s not just words that failed….
AmVet
Maybe “Independent” means “I’m too embarrassed to say I’m associated with either party.”
But they haven’t taken the effort, in ways you listed, to do something about it. Seems they’d rather keep flailing with their paper bag.
Yo'momma Obama
October 28th, 2009
9:50 am
Hey Pres Obama of Kenya, you hold wide majorities inboth houses. C’mon, go ahead and ram your Obamacare down our throats, please. It’ll be the best thing u can do for conservatives. Go ahead, and make my day!
stands for decibels
October 28th, 2009
9:51 am
What in the heck does that have to do with a god?
yeah, I was scratching my head as well. Some religious folks have a bone to pick with the guy and I can understand that, but this is carrying it a bit far.
TF, question about that Ferrari–sexier than the 246 Dino? you think, maybe?
I Got Mine, Go Get Your Own
October 28th, 2009
9:51 am
Obama is giving the trickle downers all the time they need to generate jobs. So, what’s taking capitalism so long to work. It can’t be taxes because the Republicans handed out all kinds of tax cuts to the trickle downers and Obama even handed out more just to keep the Republicans happy. I think the trickle down thing was just a big scam to allow the already greedy amongst us to be even more greedy. Otherwise, now would be the perfect time to see some demonstration of trickle down putting folks to work and it just ain’t happening. The bottom line — the Reagan-era talk of trickle down and its actually helping the economy was a lie then and it is a lie now and those that profited from it are laffing all the way to the bank. Increased taxes on the greedy followed by pumping that money back into the economy is the only proven approach to keeping a capitalist economy properly stimulated and keeping people gainfully employed. Money must continue to flow at a minimum level and it must not be hoarded by the few if capitalism is to survive. Even the educated ones choosing to remain in the GOP know this to be true yet they continue to support an obvious path of destruction. Hence, I don’t think the GOP wants capitalism to survive. The GOP is actually some perverted blend of fascism and communism and other things that shouldn’t even be mentioned.
German Shepherd Dawg
October 28th, 2009
9:51 am
Whether or not God was offended was irrelevant. I was offended from being told that cell phones and computers are intelligently designed but I am not. I am far superior to the computer. Observe as I exert absolute power over it by turning off the power button.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:51 am
“I didn’t say I wanted her to be president, I said she’s less scary and more sensible than Obama, Biden and McCain. I never liked McCain.”
no, what you said was “Sarah Palin would do a better job” … I’m sayin she’d need a GPS to find her own behind. as for scary, there is nothing scarier than someone who is not only stupid, who is not only PROUD of their academic lack of achievement, but who is also tunnel-visioned into what they are so sure is right that they don’t want to hear anything that conflicts with their view.
THAT is scary.
kayaker 71
October 28th, 2009
9:54 am
US in UK,
I would be very hesitant to place to much faith in our Democratically controlled Congress. Pelosi has less in approval than your evil Palin. And she leads this gang of theives that call themselves Congressmen/women. America is finally waking up to this charade that we call the legislative branch of our government and America is not happy. 2010 should be a landmark year for removing the most corrupt and ineffective of these dolts. I’t can’t come soon enough.
Rev Al Sharptongue
October 28th, 2009
9:54 am
I am Black and I will vote for Obama again. He is a great role model to our kids. He is bringing the world closer together.
He is marginalizing the southern conservative trash. they are obsolete and do not have the #’s to win another election.
after all the hispanics will vote dem also, as well as the jews ad the gays ,muslims, and other groups. we outnumber small minde white conservatives.
america is a true melting pot now..
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:56 am
“Let’s review the timeline regarding how long it takes to make a decision”
Let’s not. We gave Bush 7 years and counting to get it right in Afghanistan, even after he hared off after bugaboos that didn’t exist in Iraq. We can give Obama whatever time he thinks HE needs to make whatever decision he needs to make.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
October 28th, 2009
9:58 am
I want Sarah Palin to be President. It’s about time we had someone who has met a payroll, run a state, and fear G-d in the WH. We all see how the country has gone into the toilet since President Bush left.
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
9:59 am
“I want Sarah Palin to be President. It’s about time we had someone who has met a payroll, run a state, and fear G-d in the WH”
Been there, done that…now thank God Bush is gone.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
9:59 am
kayaker –
“I would be very hesitant to place to much faith in our Democratically controlled Congress. Pelosi has less in approval than your evil Palin. And she leads this gang of theives that call themselves Congressmen/women.”
so what?? Newt Gingrich’s approval rating was roughly the same … during his tenure in office. The general public has nothing to do with the speaker, they can’t elect the speaker and can’t remove them from office unless they vote the whole party out. and, as I said, the Dems are still leading the race on that one.
“America is finally waking up to this charade that we call the legislative branch of our government and America is not happy”
sorry, bub – they woke up during the Terry Schaivo fiasco and voted accordingly.
Kamchak
October 28th, 2009
9:59 am
“I didn’t say I wanted her to be president, I said she’s less scary and more sensible than Obama, Biden and McCain. I never liked McCain.”
no, what you said was “Sarah Palin would do a better job” … I’m sayin she’d need a GPS to find her own behind. as for scary, there is nothing scarier than someone who is not only stupid, who is not only PROUD of their academic lack of achievement, but who is also tunnel-visioned into what they are so sure is right that they don’t want to hear anything that conflicts with their view.
THAT is scary.
Stupid politicians aren’t scary. People who vote for them on the other hand…
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
10:00 am
“The general public has nothing to do with the speaker, they can’t elect the speaker and can’t remove them from office unless they vote the whole party out”
Not quite. If the Speaker loses a local election they don’t stay on as Speaker of the House.
I Got Mine, Go Get Your Own
October 28th, 2009
10:01 am
Whether or not God was offended was irrelevant. I was offended from being told that cell phones and computers are intelligently designed but I am not. I am far superior to the computer. Observe as I exert absolute power over it by turning off the power button
Executions, for example, shut off the power button on people. It’s just a more permanent state. Sleep might be more analogous to the on/off button on the computer. Anyway, I’m just glad that my computer was not unintelligently designed. There’s just no telling what it might do.
Paul
October 28th, 2009
10:04 am
DoggoneGA
“I need time to make a decision.”
“Let’s review the time you’ve taken already.”
“Let’s not.”
LOLOLOLOLOLOL!
Then there’s the obligatory diversion to Bush. Obama’s been President for nine months. He’s had one major decision on Afghanistan. He’s making another. Time to stop the reflexive references to he predecessor. It’s unseemly. At least, for a president.
Turd Ferguson
October 28th, 2009
10:07 am
Rev Al Sharptongue
October 28th, 2009
9:54 am
“I am Black and I will vote for Obama again.” Like that was an unknown.
“He is a great role model to our kids.” So was Stalin and Mao.
“He is bringing the world closer together.” And what exactly is that supposed to mean?
TnGelding
October 28th, 2009
10:07 am
Peevish, worried and fickle. Can we be satisfied?
Look for better numbers fo Obo by the end of the year.
2010 Camaro:
http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro/
I Got Mine, Go Get Your Own
October 28th, 2009
10:07 am
Let’s just shoot from the hip. After all, it has worked so well for the GOP.
Paul
October 28th, 2009
10:07 am
DoggoneGA
[[We can give Obama whatever time he thinks HE needs to make whatever decision he needs to make.]]
Whatever time?
A year? (It’s coming up pretty quick. Maybe we’ll have a coincidental decision after the NJ and Va elections).
Year and a half?
Two?
Whatever time is okay? Seriously?
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
10:07 am
doggone -
“Not quite. If the Speaker loses a local election they don’t stay on as Speaker of the House.”
well, of course – but this is in reference to her national polling, not how she’s doing in her district
stands for decibels
October 28th, 2009
10:09 am
my favorites (Rasmussen and Zogby)
What’s cool about Zogby is, you can pay him to ask a question like this:
Federal Communications Commission Chief Diversity Czar Mark Lloyd wants the FCC to force good white people in positions of power in the broadcast industry to step down to make room for more African-Americans and gays to fill those positions. Do you agree or disagree that this presents a threat to free speech?
…and he’ll do it. awesome!
pat
October 28th, 2009
10:09 am
To many things to comment on, I am to busy paying for yalls healthcare because you’re to lazy to do for yourself, but here is some:
1009 Respondents all on the phone is hardly representative. This represents approximately .0000336% of the country and only people who are willing to do phone surveys. So I wouldn’t get to giddy about any of it.
Sarah Palin is more liked than Nasty Pelosi, LOL!
According to the survey, people like the president, but not what he’s doing. Kind of like a lovable house pet that keeps peeing on your carpet. All the trending is going in the right direction, downward. Too bad the survey is basically worthless because of it’s sample size and methodology.
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
10:11 am
Paul –
as I said downstairs, he’s getting conflicting – and I mean polar opposite – advice from the experts in the field … you have McChrystal who wants 85K more troops and Hoh saying to get the hell out. this isn’t a case of one person saying we need 10K people to get the job done and another one saying we need 20K …
USinUK
October 28th, 2009
10:13 am
dB – 10:09 … holy crap.
Doggone/GA
October 28th, 2009
10:13 am
“Time to stop the reflexive references to he predecessor. It’s unseemly. At least, for a president”
It’s his decision, he’ll make it when he needs to make it. I have no patience with the “make a damn decision” crowd…no matter WHO they are. And no one will convince me this is now “Obama’s war” – that dog don’t hunt for me. If Bush had not made a damned decision to attack Iraq the Afghan war would very likely be already consigned to the history books.
We gave Bush 7 years+ and he got it wrong. I’m prepared to give Obama 7 years+ to see if HE can do better.
I Got Mine, Go Get Your Own
October 28th, 2009
10:14 am
To many things to comment on, I am to busy paying for yalls healthcare because you’re to lazy to do for yourself, but here is some
You’re clearly behind on your payments since I’ve yet to receive the first penny from you. So, get to work and quit playing on the computer.