CNN Poll Finds Voters Have ‘Great Expectations’ For Tax Increasing Democrats

According to CNN’s Bill Schneider, Americans, hungry for change, have no problem with tax increasing Democrats. During Tuesday’s "Situation Room," the veteran reporter described a new poll that, according to him, demonstrated the confidence Americans have for the new Democratic majority. In the segment, he dismissed one of President Bush’s warnings this way:

Bill Schneider: "Despite President Bush's dire warnings, people don't think congressional Democrats will do anything to weaken national security. President Bush also warned-"

George Bush: "The Democrats are going to raise your taxes. No, I know they don't want you to know it."

Schneider: "Guess what? People know it but they voted for the Democrats anyway. Which means they must really want change. In the ‘USA Today’/Gallup poll, the number of Americans who call themselves Republicans is sharply down. But the number of Democrats hardly changed. More people are calling themselves independents. They're waiting to see what the Democrats deliver."

According to Schneider, the general public has "great expectations" for Nancy Pelosi’s Democrats.

Wolf Blitzer: "Democrats on Capitol Hill see Iraq as a centerpiece for their agenda for change when they take control of the House and the Senate next year. But the American people apparently are banking on Democrats to deliver in many more ways than one. Let's go to our senior political analyst Bill Schneider. Bill?"

Bill Schneider: "Wolf, how do voters feel a week after the midterm election? Well, to borrow a phrase from Charles Dickens, ‘They have great expectations.’ In other countries, it would be called a vote of no confidence in the government. At least one Republican heard the message."

John McCain: "That we, Republicans, have lost our way, that we came to Washington to change government and government changed us."

In addition to reporting about the glorious new Democratic regime, Schneider reiterated his "no confidence" jibe:

Schneider: "A ‘USA Today’/Gallup Poll taken after the election shows President Bush's job approval at just 33 percent. Sixty two percent disapprove. No confidence. But does the public have confidence in the Democrats? Apparently they do. By nearly 2-1, the public says they want the Democrats in Congress to have more influence over the direction of the country than President Bush. Voters expect Democrats to deliver."

Of course, Schneider didn’t mention that the poll he was referring to sampled only "1004 national adults," as opposed to registered or likely voters. Both of which, would have resulted in more conservative findings.

A transcript of the segment, which aired at 4:05p.m on November 14, follows:

Wolf Blitzer: "Democrats on Capitol Hill see Iraq as a centerpiece for their agenda for change when they take control of the House and the Senate next year. But the American people apparently are banking on Democrats to deliver in many more ways than one. Let's go to our senior political analyst Bill Schneider. Bill?"

Bill Schneider: "Wolf, how do voters feel a week after the midterm election? Well, to borrow a phrase from Charles Dickens, ‘They have great expectations.’ In other countries, it would be called a vote of no confidence in the government. At least one Republican heard the message."

John McCain: "That we, Republicans, have lost our way, that we came to Washington to change government and government changed us."

Schneider: "A ‘USA Today’/Gallup Poll taken after the election shows President Bush's job approval at just 33 percent. Sixty two percent disapprove. No confidence. But does the public have confidence in the Democrats? Apparently they do. By nearly 2-1, the public says they want the Democrats in Congress to have more influence over the direction of the country than President Bush. Voters expect Democrats to deliver. But can they? On the one hand--"

Harry Reid: "We have nine new Democrats in the Senate. So we're excited."

Schneider: "On the other hand--"

Reid: "When have you a majority of one, you shouldn't be gloating."

Schneider: "Mr. Bush is still President."

Ben Cardin: "Marylanders were concerned about a change in Washington and they wanted someone who stood up to President Bush and was willing to challenge his leadership."

Schneider: "House Democrats intend to do that. On the minimum wage, embryonic stem cell research, prescription drug prices and Homeland Security. President Bush may veto some of those measures. Democrats don't have the numbers to override a veto without Republican support. Despite President Bush's dire warnings, people don't think congressional Democrats will do anything to weaken national security. President Bush also warned--"

George Bush: "The Democrats are going to raise your taxes. No, I know they don't want you to know it."

Schneider: "Guess what? People know it, but they voted for the Democrats anyway. In the ‘USA Today’/Gallup poll, the number of Americans who call themselves Republicans is sharply down. But the number of Democrats hardly changed. More people are calling themselves independents. They're waiting to see what the Democrats deliver. Wolf?"