CNN poll finds — surprise!! — a divided country
CNN released a new poll last week with some interesting numbers. For example, pollsters asked whether it would be good or bad for the country that Republicans will control the U.S. House of Representatives: 51 percent said it will be good, 42 percent said it will be bad.
That would seem to be pretty good news for the GOP. However, CNN also asked a similar question in 2006, when Democrats took over the House. Four years ago, 67 percent said the Democratic takeover would be good for the country, and only 24 percent said it would be bad. So voters are a lot less optimistic about the impact of GOP control.
But that’s just liberal CNN, right? Well, not quite. It turns out that CNN also asked that question after the 1994 takeover of the House by Newt Gingrich and the Republicans. In that poll, 50 percent of Americans said the GOP takeover would be good for the country, while just 26 percent said it would be bad.
So it seems that House Republicans in 2011 face an unusual amount of public skepticism about their leadership.
The latest CNN poll also asked voters whether they hoped President Obama’s policies would succeed or fail. Overall, 61 percent said they hoped his policies would succeed; 27 percent admitted they hoped his policies failed. The breakdown by party affiliation was stark:
Republicans are rooting against Obama’s success (27/61 percent) while the country as a whole is rooting for him by an identical margin (61/27 percent). (The breakdown by region was also interesting. The percentage hoping that Obama’s policies would work was by far lowest in the South (52 percent).)
That raises an obvious question: How do Republican hopes for an Obama failure compare to Democratic hopes for a failure by President Bush? I dug around a bit, and discovered that in August 2006, Fox News pollsters had asked that very question.
Survey says:
– Jay Bookman
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489 comments Add your comment
Paul
December 30th, 2010
6:23 pm
Reb
Hope you have supper ready for the Boss -
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
6:25 pm
Paul@6:23 pm
Yep, he will have commodity cheese and whine
sgt snorkel
December 30th, 2010
6:26 pm
clearing the air of ‘possum’s and burger king and armadillo’s. Including Obama and Bbbbush!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIraCchPDhk
Ladies and gentlemen I give you George “the magician” Carlin.
No children allowed!
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
6:29 pm
PAUL
Love that Publix story! And, yeah, that’s the secret to a happy marriage. Back when we were celebrating 25 years, one of Unmentionable’s co-workers, oohh’d and says, “and I bet it seems like only yesterday.” “No,” he said, “it seems like 25 long, grinding, miserable years!”
Paulo977
December 30th, 2010
6:39 pm
josef @6:01p
“amazing how many of those most opposed to government hand outs shared some pretty good recipes using it!”…What hypocrisy, isn’t it?
Southern Comfort
December 30th, 2010
6:43 pm
JReb
Even if we’re on opposite sides of a view, you’re still a good guy in my book.
Paul
December 30th, 2010
6:48 pm
Off to finish some paste e fagioli for supper.
Pleasant evening, all -
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
6:48 pm
PAULO
And it also tells you just how much the culture of poverty is ingrained in us here in the colonies and just how close we are to it. A friend tells a story relative to one of his patients who, well let’s just put it this way, was one of those ueberrich. They had been chatting about this, that and the other “Suthun.” He was looking at her multi-carated hand and remarked, “I’ll bet these hands have never picked cotton!” She straightened up proudly and said gently, “well, you’d lose.”
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
6:49 pm
SoCo
Yep. JohnnyReb is one of my heroes.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
6:57 pm
I’ve eaten at Burger King so long that I can remember when a Whopper was more than twice the size it is now. When I was a teenager, I’d eat 2 Whoppers, 2 large fries, and drink a large milkshake. I weighed about 130 when I graduated high school, too. I think I either had a very high metabolism or a tapeworm.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
7:03 pm
HD
I think I either had a very high metabolism or a tapeworm.
——————————————-
I always say I had a tapeworm and killed it by drowning it in beer
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
7:05 pm
Hell I remember the first BK in Mayretta and the first McD’s
just a few years ago LOL
Scout
December 30th, 2010
7:07 pm
Hillbilly:
When I was a kid we didn’t have “Whopper’s”.
However, I could get three Krystals, fries and a coke for 26 cents.
Everything was a nickel plus a penny tax ………………..
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
7:09 pm
Hillbilly
I remember those whoppers, too…I could eat two, too…and “kept my figure…” And now? Obviously that tape worm done died!
Oh, yeah, and what’s a french fry? Something that stays in your mouth a few seconds, in your stomach a few hours, and on your gut the rest of your life…
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
7:09 pm
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
6:57 pm
————————————————-
two burgers are must haves at least once a month
BK and Krystal.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
7:11 pm
Okay, Krystals…remember the contests? How many can you eat…my record was 34!
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:12 pm
Howdy gang–Lots of changes for me this year, all for the good. I hope everyone else had a successful year as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENDuhcjAoCw
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
7:15 pm
josef, never more than 10 Krystals but when
the kraving komes on… I have gotten out of bed
dressed and gone to the Krystal….
Scout
December 30th, 2010
7:17 pm
josef:
You beat me but I couldn’t have afforded that many anyway …………….
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:17 pm
I see I missed out on the “gourmet dining” discussion this evening. ; > }
At any rate, if any of you get the chance, go to Garrison’s Broiler and Tap in Vinings. The chef there is better than any at the 4 and 5 star restaurants in Atlanta.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
7:19 pm
Poker night was always a Krystal night. 5 guys send 1 to the Krystal for 100 burgers. and 1 coke LOL
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:20 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu-YftKYdms
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
7:23 pm
SCOUT
Didn’t have to pay for them, I won!
Frog..
Same here! When you get the kraving, there’s nothing but… when I was in school Up Nawth and came home on the first break, there I was in the land known for its fine eats…”Where do you want to go eat?” Me and Unmentionable both in unison, “Krystal!” and, “you owe me a Coke!”
BRUNO
Hey, Bro…do they serve possum on the half shell?
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:24 pm
If I know HD as well as I think I do, he’s strictly a 5 star restaurant man! ; > }
Fortunately, I found a great barbeque restaurant here in Columbus called Country’s. Puts 90% of the BBQ joints in Atl to shame.
Does anyone else here think that Harold’s is WAY overrated???
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:26 pm
“Hey, Bro…do they serve possum on the half shell?”
There’s a place that serves only roadkill that has possum on the menu. : > }
Del
December 30th, 2010
7:27 pm
Noticed some more Bush bashing which is not uncommon on the blog. This time it had to do with GWB hiding from combat safely inside the National Guard. The POTUS at anytime can at his discretion call up National Guard units and commit them to a war theater. Johnson and Nixon chose not to do so during Vietnam. This meant that anyone serving in the Guard wasn’t exactly guaranteed a no combat chit because the two war time presidents could have sent their respective units to Vietnam. Bush was commissioned as a2nd. Lt. later promoted to a 1st. Lt.and trained as an F-102 fighter pilot. The Air National Guard allowed for pilots to volunteer for Vietnam duty. Bush inquired into volunteering and was told that he had insufficient flying hours and that the F-102 was soon to be obsolete. Training new pilots on newer fighter aircraft wasn’t a high priority during Bush’s time as the war was winding down and he wasn’t making the military a career.
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:31 pm
For you, josef, in honor of the repeal of DADT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1lp_Gzm8V4
Since you prefer people to be “out front” about their opinions, I have mixed feelings about it, but will defer to those wiser than I am.
ROAD HOG
December 30th, 2010
7:31 pm
BADA @ 5:01 – great idea for the Happy Meals. You could go ahead and include an application for future employment, welfare, and WIC. Meanwhile, I’ll buy some Church & Dwight company stock, owner of Trojan brand. Ticker symbol CHD. Hell ,I might get to open that Harley shop after all.
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:32 pm
Del–What are your feelings about the repeal of DADT??? I won’t ask Scout, I already know what he’ll say…….
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
7:34 pm
Del
December 30th, 2010
7:27 pm
———————————————————————
GW deserves credit on the war issue..just learning to
fly a fighter puts you head and shoulders above the desk
jockeys(i was one) even if i did spend a year in ice hell..
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
7:36 pm
BRUNO
Thanks for the thought, but that pack of snakes in the grass left themselves a quarter section of wiggle room…we’ll see…
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:37 pm
“Noticed some more Bush bashing which is not uncommon on the blog.”
I wonder if any of the Libs on board will have the decency to acknowledge that Bush has been extremely classy as an ex-Prez. Not one criticism of Obama that I know of.
popeye
December 30th, 2010
7:41 pm
Del…This guy was one of my buds through grade school and high. After high I joined the service he wanted to be a priest so continued with his education and enrolled at the U of Portland. Then he met a girl who I also knew, and fell in love and got married….So much for being a priest!
http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MallonRJ01a.htm
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
7:41 pm
BRUNO
None that I’ve heard of. Of course, I don’t fall into the automatic, knee-jerk camp of Bush bashers, I hope…
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:41 pm
Alright, everyone drop a tab for this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK1k4y0EttQ&feature=related
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
7:43 pm
Bush makes a great ex-President
is that what you wanted LOL
He really doesn’t want to throw stones what with that glass house
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
7:45 pm
The best BBQ place I ever ate at, didn’t stay open long. Don’t even remember the name of it. It was a converted roadside fruit and vegetable stand. The floor was dirt, the walls were clear poly plastic sheeting, like you’d cover a window with in winter time, and the handle on the screen door (entrance), was a piece of a garden hose, tacked to the door at each end. Great BBQ but it was a might airy on a rainy winter day.
How many stars would that be Bruno?
Paulo977
December 30th, 2010
7:48 pm
Not to change the subject BUT something to think about as we head into 2011…how sad!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/30/faulluja-birth-defects-iraq
Del
December 30th, 2010
7:48 pm
Bruno, I felt that DADT particularly since it was improved earlier this year to escalate enforcement to senior officer levels is or was good legislation. I think repeal was politically motivated and rushed through without consideration of potential ramifications. One issue pertains to Article 125 in the UCMJ that prohibits sodomy and applies to every military member. It’s not enforced because military CID doesn’t follow troopers around peaking into there bedrooms, however, now it’s about open homosexuality, what does that mean and how might that open up unintended issues. Repeal of article 125 sends this issue right back to Congress. It seems to me that with the repeal of DADT, gay service men and woman will have less protection. There are several other problematic issues associated with repeal but to answer your question, I thought repeal was a bad idea.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
7:50 pm
Hillbilly
Sounds like Hawg Butt on 78 outside Carbon Hill, Alabama…good stuff!
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:50 pm
HD @ 7:45: We’ll give it a 5 hog rating!
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
7:53 pm
HD – I wonder what kinda rating the board of health gave it probably a 5 also LMAO
sounds like my kinda place though
Jackie
December 30th, 2010
7:53 pm
There are questions about Bush and his certification as a pilot, his attendance at the Texas 9921st and his requested transfer to the Alabama ANG.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush_military_service_controversy#Acceptance_into_the_National_Guard
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:54 pm
Del @ 7:48–Very intelligent, informed response. I agree with you regarding the “Unintended Consequences” point. I think that will be the epitaph for the Obama Admin.
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
7:55 pm
Another overrated BBQ place IMO is the one on Hwy 575 north of Ball Ground that has the pig graveyard laid out on the hillside. Imaginative theme, lousy BBQ.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
7:55 pm
Common Sense @ 7:53
I’ve always kinda figured that’s why it didn’t stay open long.
AmVet
December 30th, 2010
7:58 pm
popeye, thanks for sharing that.
That game earlier today in Yankee Stadium was great.
Loved all that sweet Traffic, and that Rainmaker is to me their best.
“Bush has been extremely classy as an ex-Prez.” As I said months ago, B. (And contrasted it with his VP.)
That Carlin piece was the most brutally honest of his stuff, I’ve ever seen. F the public!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0FRXXsswO0
Del
December 30th, 2010
7:58 pm
popeye, May he R.I.P. I’ve heard that those Wild Weasel pilots flew some hellish missions inside the North. On a much lighter note, Happy New Year
Southern Comfort
December 30th, 2010
8:11 pm
Not to add fuel to the fire or water on the fire as far as the Bush service record, but it doesn’t matter now. The guy’s out of office and can not serve as Commander in Chief anymore. If he was less than truthful, he’ll have to own up to it come his Judgement Day. Whether or not he served has no bearing on my salvation.
With that, I’m gonna cash my chips in for the evening. Catch y’all later!!!!!
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
8:18 pm
With that, I’m gonna cash my chips in for the evening.
Don’t forget to leave Jay his cut.
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
8:24 pm
I better head home to feed the bunny. No work tomorrow, so maybe can hang out with you guys for a while.
Bruno
December 30th, 2010
8:27 pm
Am–nice Supertramp number. Back at ya:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfPT0ODaM1Q
TnGelding
December 30th, 2010
8:33 pm
Polls are for trolls, but I think this one pretty much captures the mood of the country. Better the leader of the opposition party fail than to have to admit you are wrong.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
8:48 pm
100%…I’m in…
http://projects.ajc.com/quizzes/metro/could-you-pass-military-entrance-exam/
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
8:53 pm
I missed one; does that mean I fail?
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
8:58 pm
Hillbilly
Don’t know…but was it the Buddhist one? Had to put my “test taking skills” to work on that one…
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
8:58 pm
nah, I missed ephemeral
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:04 pm
Got that one…one of my favorite words…could you believe that math one, though?
Del
December 30th, 2010
9:06 pm
josef and H.D. it’s too late now, but this site is a government ruse. Unknowingly you both volunteered for military service by passing the test.. The administration and congress in secret session reinstated the draft, while also removing the age cutoff. You both will be receiving your voluntary induction notices next week.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
9:06 pm
If you mean 2 + x =4, it’d be hard to believe anybody would miss that. Even if you never took algebra, it’d still be simple.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
9:07 pm
Del
They’ll be pissed when I get there and they see what they got.
On the bright side, I’m already a pretty decent shot.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:10 pm
DEL
Heh, heh!
But believe it or not, I’m still eligible in the event of a draft being reinstated in a national emergency…linguists are in that select little group who CAN be called up to, I think, 65…I need to check on that one…
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:21 pm
What do you guys think about women being exempt from the draft (per the SCOTUS).
Equal protection under the law ?
Del
December 30th, 2010
9:22 pm
H.D. very well then…upon completion of basic training you’ll be assigned to Scout Sniper school and then immediately deployed to afghanistan. josef, upon completeion of basic training you will attend Airborne infantry school, Ranger school, Delta Force school and then be assigned as a linguist with a special operations unit serving in various combat theaters currently engaged in this countries war against terrorism. Carry on.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:23 pm
Just in case some of you missed this earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki32TxKNga4
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:26 pm
Headline: “NYC SNOW JOB: SLOW CLEAN-UP WAS UNION ‘PROTEST’ ”
Let’s all sing together now:
“Everybody stand up and holler for the union,
let’s give the brotherhood a cheer.
Everybody stand up and holler for the union,
We ain’t hit a lick all year.”
Del
December 30th, 2010
9:28 pm
Scout,
If I owned a dog as ugly as that little $hit maggot, I’d shave his ass and make him walk backwards.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
Del:
Don’t do that ! I spit my coke all over the place.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
SCOUT
As you know, I think two years national service (not necessarilly military) should be required of ALL citizens.
DEL
Luckily none of mine are languages of the areas currently in combat! But back during the Cold War and when I was a lot younger, Uncle Sam came calling on the “volunteer” basis…
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:30 pm
Headline: “WASH POST STAFFER: Constitution Impossible to Understand Because It’s Over 100 Years Old… ”
Well, there you go.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:32 pm
josef:
Me thinks you evaded my question just a little.
I say again, should women be subject to the MILITARY DRAFT the same as men?
Jay
December 30th, 2010
9:33 pm
Would that be the long-form Constitution, Scout?
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:33 pm
SCOUT
Link on that Washington Post one…? D*mn!
DEL
Now, now, calm down! Heel, Boy!
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:35 pm
Scout
You didn’t say military at first…but, yes, I do.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:39 pm
JAY
Since you’re here…what is the house cut on bets?
eLBB
December 30th, 2010
9:40 pm
I missed them all but momma said I would be a wonderful officer
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
9:41 pm
I don’t think women should be eligible for the draft. It would create an awful mess. There’d be the question of women with children and a whole bunch of other things.
popeye
December 30th, 2010
9:42 pm
“DEL
Luckily none of mine are languages of the areas currently in combat! But back during the Cold War and when I was a lot younger, Uncle Sam came calling on the “volunteer” basis…
AND?
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:45 pm
SCOUT
You sure he wasn’t talking about the ATLANTA Constitution…
Hillbilly
Well, men have children, too…
Mick
December 30th, 2010
9:48 pm
scout
There’s always two sides to a story but the anti-union faction here will have none of that..
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
9:48 pm
josef
It’s true they do but I’d rather the women stayed with the young children, if the choice has to be made. No real legal basis for that; I just think that’s how it should be.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:50 pm
josef: Here it is ………………….
http://www.breitbart.tv/liberal-star-blogger-ezra-klein-constitution-has-no-binding-power-on-anything-confusing-because-its-over-100-years-old/
Del
December 30th, 2010
9:50 pm
Scout,
Absolutely women should take their place right along side men. Demi Moore in a Hollywood movie entitled G.I. Jane demonstrated how women could blend right into a SEAL Team with extreme effect. I’d be a little concerned , however, about the “Blood Wing” ceremony involving women. Maybe a gluteus maximus pinning utilizing whips and chains.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:51 pm
Jay:
Ah ……….. I see you’ve come out of your shell.
You’ll have to ask Chris Matthews and the DEMOCRATIC Governor of Hawaii about that long-form stuff.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
9:51 pm
When Nathan starts a water war with Alabama Josef will translate for the prisoners LOL
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:53 pm
Del:
Well, I once years ago had a box of the old canned C-Rats. I showed everything to my daugher and when she saw the little packet of toilet paper she said, “is that all they give you?”.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:54 pm
P.S. to Del:
Plus, the leeches would have had a lot of extra places to hide now wouldn’t they ……………
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:58 pm
http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/2010/12/president-and-family-multi-million-dollar-christmas-vacation-hawa
The above “costs” are only the tip of the iceberg. They are leaving so much stuff out.
All presidents make trips but when it get excessive they should be called on to justify them.
Scout
December 30th, 2010
9:58 pm
Excusse me: “gets”
Del
December 30th, 2010
9:59 pm
Scout,
With C-rat John Wayne biscuits and peanut butter you never had to worry much about toilet paper.
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
9:59 pm
SCOUT
Thanks for the link….OUCH!
Hillbilly
I agree with you to a great extent…there are deferrments, etc. The Israelis could offer some models. My contention, though, is based on the idea that to reinstitute a military draft we’d have to be in a big mess and one that would require ALL our citizens to do their part…
common sense
Wonder if L’il Barry has a job for me in the private sector…?
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
10:06 pm
From the NYC website about requirements for sanitation workers:
Under the current civil service list, each candidate must have a high school diploma, or equivalent, and a commercial driver’s license at the time of appointment. Sanitation Workers must reside within New York City, Nassau County or Westchester County.
The current starting salary of a Sanitation Worker is $31,200 per year. The current labor agreement provides for periodic increases to a maximum of $67,141 after 5 1/2 years. In addition to the basic annual wages, Sanitation Workers may also earn differential payments based on their specific assignment and overtime.
Mick
December 30th, 2010
10:06 pm
scout
Who do you want to see become president? Of course all these trips are overboard but that goes with the turf, especially when it just happens to be the hardest job in the world…
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
10:11 pm
josef nix@9:59 pm
common sense
Wonder if L’il Barry has a job for me in the private sector…?
—————————
Probably washing his investment vehicle (a 95 dodge) lol
Del
December 30th, 2010
10:12 pm
Mick,
Not always the hardest job in the world. Why Clinton found so much time on his hands he found a way to amuse himself on company time right in the Oval Office.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 30th, 2010
10:13 pm
josef
I think a lot could be learned from the Israelis. Their situation is different than ours though, they’re faced with their survival and we aren’t, at this point.
If there ever is a military draft again, I think the deferrments should be kept to a minimum. That’s one of the lessons of Vietnam, in my opinion. Way too many ways around it, that time.
It’s sort of related to what we are talking about, the use of contractors. I’m against that. If we’re there, it needs to be our military performing the mission. If we don’t have enough people to do the job, then we need more people. If we aren’t willing to do what it takes to get enough people, to perform whatever mission it is, then maybe we just don’t need to do it.
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
10:13 pm
Mick – how about someone from Maryland or Delaware. That way when they go home they can drive LOL
josef nix
December 30th, 2010
10:14 pm
common
Sanitation worker IS one of the ten most dangerous jobs…
Mick
It costs a lot to protect the President of the United States…maybe we do overdo it, but this is one of those places I go for better safe than sorry…
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
10:16 pm
Hillbilly Deluxe@10:13 pm
And along those same lines, how does that reflect on the US when the contractors cross the line?
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 30th, 2010
10:17 pm
josef nix
Sanitation worker IS one of the ten most dangerous jobs…
I agree. Once at an ER I saw one come in with a cracked skull where something fell off the truck