“Tonight a vote of no confidence in President Bush,” anchor Katie Couric trumpeted at the top of Monday's CBS Evening News over “Sinking Support” on screen under video of Bush. She explained: “A devastating new poll finds a record number of Americans [75%] now disapprove of the way he's handling the war.” Couric used the “devastating” description a second time before Bob Schieffer came aboard to assert that opposition to the Iraq war “is taking on historic proportions” since in 1973 a Gallup survey determined 60 percent thought going to war in Vietnam was a mistake, but the new CBS News poll found “that slightly more Americans than that, 62 percent, now believe it was a mistake to go to Iraq. That is simply stunning." Of course, in 1973 there was a slower news cycle and a lot fewer media outlets, and no 24/7 cable services or Web sites, to pound away at every negative development in the war.
A PDF of the full poll results reported that CBS News surveyed more Democrats than Republicans, by 328 to 273 -- with 321 independents.
The MRC's Brad Wilmouth corrected the closed-captioning against the video for portions of the December 11 CBS Evening News:
Katie Couric, in opening teaser:
"I'm Katie Couric. Tonight a vote of no confidence in President Bush. A devastating new poll finds a record number of Americans now disapprove of the way he's handling the war. Jim Axelrod and Bob Schieffer on the President's sinking polls numbers, and the latest advice he's getting."
Couric opened her newscast:
"Hi, everyone. President Bush today began another week of consultations looking for what he calls a new way forward in Iraq. And most Americans agree we need one. In a CBS News poll out tonight, a record 71 percent said the war is going badly. More than half say it's unlikely the United States will win [53%]. And a record number say the war is the most pressing problem America is facing right now [35%]. It is certainly the President's top priority, so we'll begin at the White House with Jim Axelrod."
Following a story from Jim Axelrod at the White House, Couric turned to Bob Schieffer:
“For more perspective on the President's devastating new poll numbers, we turn now to our Chief Washington correspondent, Bob Schieffer. Bob?”
Schieffer expounded:
"Katie, if you were George Bush, I'd have to say it just does not get any worse than this. And the more you get into this poll, the more you understand just how deeply this opposition to the war is now running. Only 21 percent now approve of the President's handling of the war, but look at why: Because he is now losing his own base -- Republicans and conservatives. Just last month, even after the election that cost them control of Congress, 70 percent of Republicans still approved the President's handling of the war. Now that has dropped 23 points in a month. This is opposition that is taking on historic proportions. By 1973, at the height of American opposition to the war in Vietnam, a Gallup poll showed that 60 percent of those polled said it had been a mistake to send our troops to Vietnam. Well, today's poll shows that slightly more Americans than that, 62 percent, now believe it was a mistake to go to Iraq. That is simply stunning."
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
That is simply stunning.&qu
December 11, 2006 - 20:27 ET by liberal_bug_zapperThat is simply stunning.
Translation: It's simply stunning that we were not able to get this result sooner considering how much propaganda against Bush we've been pumping out for the last five years.
And of course, this means I agree with your statement;
Of course, in 1973 there was a slower news cycle and a lot fewer media outlets, and no 24/7 cable services or Web sites, to pound away at every negative development in the war.
sinking poll
December 11, 2006 - 20:41 ET by umpetewow, just think what this will do to his re-election campaign....if his popularity drops any more, it will be lower than john kerry's
In a stunning report, 90% o
December 12, 2006 - 09:40 ET by hydrodynDMIn a stunning report, 90% of the students at a local college fail their physics class after a sememster of being taught that 1+1=3 and that Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion has something to do with bundt cake.
"We haven't seen test results this low in the sciences since the time of the Spanish Inquisition", said the college's president.
"Well, physics is a difficult topic and given the number of distractions these days in a typical college student's life - cell phones, the internet, MTV video games - the results aren't really all that surprising", said the class's professor after finishing a lecture about Sr. Issac Newton, and the pivotal role he played as a mailman on the TV show Seinfeld.
When reached for comment, a student who actually passed the class said "Uhm, the prof. didn't know what he was talking about so I just studied out of the text book."
"Of course, you'll always have those students who think they know more than the teacher", said the class's professor. "I'm sure another sememster in one of my classes would correct that attitude."
Well, I guess this makes it o
December 11, 2006 - 20:54 ET by Indiana JoeWell, I guess this makes it official:
We really ARE a nation of "sheople," just waiting to be told what to think by the MSM.
Sure is easier than thinking for yourself.... ;^(
First, find the breakdown of
December 11, 2006 - 21:04 ET by liberal_bug_zapperFirst, find the breakdown of demographics of the poll and it will probably show that most of the people polled (at least 62%) are Liberals. Then you'll have the truth about what the American Liberal thinks.... but not much more.
Remember, the MSM uses polls to shape opinion, not measure it.
LBZ,Well, yeah, they polled D
December 11, 2006 - 23:21 ET by Indiana JoeLBZ,
Well, yeah, they polled Dems and Indies more than 2-1 vs. Republicans, I noticed that.
And the fact that they use the polls to shape opinion was kind of my point with the "sheople" remark. I'd love to see them just actually try to "measure" opinion. That's what polls USED to be for.
But, the "shaping" is working for them. They ARE creating opinions... because too many people buy into it.
Hence, "sheople." Or, if you prefer, "sheeple."
Surely, Bush himself is a fau
December 11, 2006 - 21:17 ET by GalvanicSurely, Bush himself is a fault for some of this. He's never really gone the extra step to define for the American people just what is at stake. We know it's more than stopping terrorism --- it's about changing the status quo in the Middle East that was getting worse as each year passed. The definition of victory has been rather ambiguous, and there's been a significant gap since the last the significant milestones (i.e. free elections, approving a constitution).
But the MSM and Dems by far have much to do with the shaping of public opinion. As one poster pointed out this week, even Russert got into the lying act when he stated that Secretary of Defense nominee Robert Gates told the Senate that we were losing the war in Iraq --- Gates never said we were losing; he said we weren't winning.
The MSM has taken the pathetic Hamilton-Baker recommendations as "bi-partisan" policy which Bush must accept in toto, which by shear weight, convinces many Americans that we must be losing.
At this point, I fear that the nation has already turned a corner, and will hightail it out of Iraq, handing AQ a victory and leaving Iraq as a terrorist playground. The Hamilton-Baker commission offers nothing for accomplishing victory; only cutting our losses.
Maggie had to tell his Dad &q
December 11, 2006 - 21:19 ET by Free StinkerMaggie had to tell his Dad "Don't go wobbly George"
Who's going to tell Bush(43) ?
(sigh)
More crap from the homefront for our troops.
December 11, 2006 - 22:19 ET by terrigSince I haven't been in touch with hubby, I can only hope he doesn't hear about this. He did have a few sharp words for the ISG which I am sure you all can imagine. My question to him was, well if they're going to pull out, do it before Christmas so everyone can be home and the libs can pat themselves on the back while eating their Christmas dinner. It is stunning that the H-B commission came up with that drivel. I think they forget the difference between the former Soviet Union and Iran/Syria. The Russians wanted to live too but that clown (I'm not going to take the time to spell it) is anxious for the "hidden Imam" to come back from his super secret hiding place and could care less. What part of that argument do these learned people not understand. Anyway, Couric & crew can congratulate themselves on leading us all to slaughter. Hope they go first.
Unstatistics
December 11, 2006 - 21:21 ET by BlondeOnce again, the media polls to support its premise.
922 total polled. Broken down by Republican / Democrat / Independent.
What were the age of the voters? Was this taken on a college campus? Or in an old folks home? Or in a room full of CEOs? It does make a difference.
The 17 page pdf file, which breaks downs the questions and results, is as meaningless as toilet paper without knowing who was polled.
I could poll 922 people and get you the result of "the sky is falling"....of course, I'd be polling kindergarten kids, to whom I'd just read "Henny Penny"....but unless I told you that, you'd have no way of knowing.
Thank you MsM....for more lies, and unstatistics.
For anyone who has ever studied statistics....this kind of "conclusive evidence" is just so much crap....and is totally maddening!
Watch, and believe, the MsM at your own peril.
I've had it up to here with p
December 11, 2006 - 21:33 ET by HypocriteHaterI've had it up to here with polls! Just another example of liberals pushing "group think" on everyone they think is stupid to form their own opinions.
With every poll, the MSM is basically saying "Hey everybody! This is what most Americans are thinking right now. So if you want to be like everyone else (and we know you do), this is what you're opinion must be too".
"Today we did what we had to do. They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong." - Ronald Reagan
I agree GOPgirl.... the nex
December 12, 2006 - 05:42 ET by liberal_bug_zapperI agree GOPgirl.... the next Liberal that starts blabbing on about the need for consensus in front of me is gonna get punched in the mouth. Thank goodness that all my idiot Liberal friends moved back to Canada.
Yeah, you guys are totally ri
December 11, 2006 - 22:28 ET by waka wakaYeah, you guys are totally right.
Everything is going "swimmingly" in Iraq, to quote that oh-so-sage pundit, Coulter.
You guys and your Dear Leader have so totally screwed our country...ugggh.
Reality has a well known liberal bias.
Three bags full
December 11, 2006 - 22:30 ET by Free StinkerThree bags full (of Waka Waka Macaca)
You wouldn't know tyranny if
December 11, 2006 - 22:56 ET by UnsaneYou wouldn't know tyranny if it lined you against the wall and gave you a 7.62 mm hemmorhage, that's what is truly sad. Having been to three tyrannies, I can tell you what tyranny is. You couldn't hack it.
I for one would like to know HOW our country has been screwed. What? By not coddling and spoiling our citizenry like in Europe? That strategy hasn't worked out too well for them. By not punishing our most successful citizens in order to reward and subsidize our biggest flops? Perhaps you can name a society that has done that and succeeded. By not unilaterally disarming to show the rest of the world that we REALLY are the most super-nice people who have ever walked the earth? If you think that will cause everyone on earth to fall madly in love with the United States, you are 230 years, 5 months and 8 days too late. You, your fellow Leftists, and the rest of the world will indeed madly, passionately love the United States of America.
Only When It Is Gone. (hat tip to Nightwish) Fortunately, there are some of us who love it while it is here!
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Liberals are Socialists, Soci
December 12, 2006 - 00:50 ET by mattmLiberals are Socialists, Socialists are Tyrants. Naturally they can't recognize Tyranny in others who are their kin.
Carter cozies up to Fidel and Hugo, why? They're brothers under the skin, and they're just a hair's breadth away from Saddam Hussein, Mahmou Ahmadinsanejihad, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot etc.
Every last stinking one of these power mad dictators considered the U.S. to be imperialist oppressors or whatever, so it's no surprise that you're average run-of-the-mill dopey American Liberal would accuse the Bush administration of tyranny.
mattm Carter
December 12, 2006 - 01:00 ET by misterbillA few weeks back I sent an email to Carter. I accused him of bordering on treason. I told him he was so in love with his own image as an intermediary that he was selling the US down the river. I also told him he was undermining the efforts of the sitting administration. God forgive me, but a stroke would be a good thing. He sits with Hanoi Jane in my book. And to think I once voted for him.
PS I did not get a rsponse. I did not expect one.
As a matter of fact, it is go
December 12, 2006 - 05:47 ET by liberal_bug_zapperAs a matter of fact, it is going swimmingly in Iraq.... what the hell is wrong with you... its a friggin war!!! People die in wars, but we're killing a hell of a lot more of the enemy than they are killing of us... and we're keeping them occupied in the Middle East and if we can shut you idiot cowardly liberals up for just a few months (years preferably) we'll be able to put the fear of Allah into those bastards.... or send them to Allah! Either way.... fight the war to win.... never surrender.
Why don't you lot move to France since you all seem to be a bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys.
If you're going to post, at
December 12, 2006 - 12:12 ET by Uncle JohnIf you're going to post, at least turn off the frickin' bold and italics when you're done...
Uncle John Hey, don't holle
December 12, 2006 - 12:20 ET by ww thumperUncle John Hey, don't holler at us so much; some threds just display the bold when we post there. :-) .....Political correctness when dealing with Islam will kill america....ww .....
With the way the MSM has been
December 11, 2006 - 22:16 ET by Conservative in the ArtsWith the way the MSM has been trying to turn Iraq into a Vietnam, I'm beginning to wonder just how much better it is over there in Iraq. The MSM seems so desperate, so frantic to convince me it's a total loss and we should get out now. Because of that, I'm starting to think that maybe we're really winning and soon the truth will get out that Bush was right all along. But the MSM wants us to leave now before any of the good stories they have been hiding gets out to the public, out of their control. IT's just like a little kid trying to distract mommy so she doesn't find out that the lamp is broken.
Is is just me, or does it see
December 11, 2006 - 22:26 ET by Scout FinchIs is just me, or does it seem like people are following the MSM now more than ever? Have the MSM truly learned how to get around the blogs and Internet and drive their message through even better? A year ago, I could never have imagined the political landscape that exists today. I thought people were beginning to see that the Emperor's clothing is illusion and lies.
We are on the brink of a complete pull-out of Iraq and total Al Qaida victory. When Hillary and her VP Obama are inaugurated in January of 2009, what major US city will be the next one bombed with thousands dead? And our response will be......
And our response will be......
December 11, 2006 - 22:28 ET by Free StinkerAnd our response will be......
Issue subpoenas! It worked so well after the 1993 WTC bombing!
/sarcasm off
Our Kids
December 11, 2006 - 23:05 ET by iveseenitallHow can you not feel for our kids who are in Iraq and those who have sacrificed their lives. And how could you not loathe scum like Couric and the rest of the liberal media. They ought to be behind bars, not in front of a t.v. camera.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
This is bullsh*t lazy repor
December 11, 2006 - 23:10 ET by Uncle JohnThis is bullsh*t lazy reporting at its laziest. Would we expect anything less from SeeBS?
i wonder just how leading tho
December 11, 2006 - 23:41 ET by AJi wonder just how leading those poll questionnaires were?
"How much do you disapprove of the war in Iraq?";
"How bad do think the war in Iraq is going?"
"Are you a good little liberal who will give the president the worst marks on every poll questionnaire you get? (Yes means yes and no means maybe, automatically!)"
Hey Katie (I'm sorry, I meant
December 11, 2006 - 23:49 ET by SvenHey Katie (I'm sorry, I meant the "Perky One"), care to tell us what your poll numbers are?
And these people say that Christians like to preach and shove our beliefs down others throats...sheesh!
The enemy within figured out
December 11, 2006 - 23:54 ET by bigtimerThe enemy within figured out the constant polling, and saying that this is what the majority of the people think 24/7, blah blah blah worked for them last time with the recent elections they are going full force the next two years....no one here expected anything different did they?
Beware of the weak-kneed RINO's that are popping' out of the woodwork...the want to be the media darlin', rather than have any fortitude or principals.
Devastation is a perfect word for what the result is going to be in the end...unless we get a real leader to vote for in '08 with some guts who has no problem telling the msm, the likes of the ACLU, the UN and all the other bothersome destructive ilk to go to hell and fight on...otherwise we are in big time trouble here.
Darker days to come if we do not fight.
Time is of the essence.
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
GW Bush
December 12, 2006 - 00:19 ET by misterbillHow easy it is to turn our backs on the man who did what we wanted him to do. We won the war in a flash, now we are supposed to resolve centuries of feuds and hatred and murder in a short time. I doubt the President can get any great boost from hearing from the small percentage of us who still stand by him. I hear friends, who are not anti-Bush complain about the war. I don't even talk to them about it anymore. Friends they may be, but when the next strike against America comes, and it will, I won't put up with one minute of their fears and comments.
We need to put a lot more troops in Iraq. I hate to say it , but we need to edge Maliki out, take over the country, find the real good guys and hold more elections.
misterbill..Let me be the fir
December 12, 2006 - 00:31 ET by ww thumpermisterbill..Let me be the first to agree with you! :^} I think it's far past time to get enough people in there to take names, kick some ass!! and achive VICTORY!! .....Political correctness when dealing with Islam will kill america....ww .....
I agree with every word miste
December 12, 2006 - 00:44 ET by bigtimerI agree with every word misterb....every word.
Btw..It is despicable to watch this country turn it's back on the President during this time of war...we are fighting globally and the people intentionally have their heads stuck in the sand IMO..it's easier that way, and the msm tells them 24/7 they are doing the right thing...keep your heads buried, thats right, look the other way, pretense is a real life-threatening subject...it will get you killed.
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
misterbill, let me also throw
December 12, 2006 - 11:33 ET by Valendilmisterbill, let me also throw my hat into the ring....I could agree with you more!
Wow, I'm stunned too!! Wher
December 12, 2006 - 05:58 ET by JohnboWow, I'm stunned too!! Where did they find the freaking 21% that APPROVE of The Idiot in Chief’s debacle? And, how did it take the American people 3+ years to figure out what Hans Blix and Scott Ritter knew before the invasion (little chance of finding WMDs and containment was working) and what most of the leaders of most of the nations of the world knew - as well as the unprecedented millions that marched in protest before the invasion - that the invasion of Iraq wasn’t a good idea.
It wasn’t a good idea for moral reasons the Pope and Dalai Lama said and it wasn’t a good idea for strategic and tactical reasons allies and experienced U.S. military and diplomatic leaders said. But we now know beyond a shadow of doubt that Bush and Company was planning from day one for the overthrow of Saddam Hussien and that 9/11 just gave them the pretext to expand the “war on terror” to Iraq - even though the threat was distant at best and the connection to 9/11 and Osama almost nonexistent.
And, isn’t it clear that a war based on lies will eventually lose support? You would think that people as smart as them would have known that the lies would eventually be exposed but the Administration was too clever for its own good. They were so arrogant they thought they could jerk everyone around and get away with it. And Americans might have even let them get away with it too if they had delivered a smashing success. But they didn’t. They couldn’t have created a worse mess if they had tried. This is incompetence on a mind boggling level (not to even mention the graft and corruption).
And, for God’s sake, how did we get Donald Rumsfeld with his deadly combination of arrogance and incompetence as our military leader at this critical time? No wonder the neocons are spitting venom at the mention of his name. He’s wrecked the U.S. military for years to come and with it their wet dream of the “robust” extension of U.S. military might. If there’s any good news in this it’s that we won’t be invading another country for a loooong, loooong time.
Johnbo, I know you hate the m
December 12, 2006 - 23:55 ET by UnsaneJohnbo, I know you hate the military and all, but I was wondering if you had one final mission in mind before you and you Leftist friends dissolve it. You know, the extermination of all of the Hyper Evil Rich Leeches (so I don't upset you, I will not refer to those who make as much as a dime over per capita income "people"). Then, we will use all of that money expropriated from all of those Leeches and the money being saved from spending on things like a military - the entire world will have fallen massively in love with us for that act alone (dissolving the military)so we'll be safe from invasion forever - and use it to SPOIL, CODDLE, and BABYSIT you and everyone else in America in perpetuity. Why, even provide you with FREE COOKIES and a tall glass of cold milk every night before you go to bed?
What part of "the casus belli was made the instant one of our planes patrolling the 'no fly zone' was lit up by Iraqi SAM radars in violation of the cease-fire' do you NOT understand? It is so simple, even many Dems in Congress voted for it, and advocated such action in the past!
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Couric knows all about "no confidence votes" as she remains last
December 12, 2006 - 07:12 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasCouric is gaining some expertise in "no confidence" votes seeing she not only remains in last place but is managing to fall further behind. However, regarding the report, does CBS actually think this is news? Oh wait, they like being in last.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Devastating Poll
December 12, 2006 - 08:36 ET by Senior ChiefThe incoming House Intelligence Chairman reflects the mindset and intellect of most of the American people. Their knowledge of current events and public policy are based on what the media are reporting- all negative with America as always at fault. If the drive-by media reports honestly what kind of enemy we're dealing with, and convey the public on the progress we've done in Iraq, the President's number will not be the number we're seeing. The left don't have a plan of winning this war, all they have is hatred towards the president! They want him to fail badly. But, he is not going to submit to the leftist recommendations and will not govern by the polls, because he fully understood the consequences of troops withdrawal and defeatism ideology.
I urge conservative radio and FOXNews to do more in educating and informing us all. Encourage hotels, restaurants and other business establishments to get rid of CNN, MSNBC, BBC and offer a conservative news network as an alternative.
What a non-newsworthy time to
December 12, 2006 - 08:46 ET by ucWhat a non-newsworthy time to take such a poll and report it as precient (sp?). Useless and probably bought democratic "news." For past few weeks everyone and their brother and sister has been running the war talk. W has been listening which is what I thought MSM wanted. If any of you have read some of my other recent comments here you may have sensed a now still growing feeling that the media and democrats deserve more credit for what is going wrong. I am still agast at initial vote to support and then just days later after President commited the proverbial pulling of rug out from under President. I don't think history books are going to be much favorable to some democrats and much of the media. W tried to fight this war and the media made him fight Vietnam as well. There were more involved and intelligent arguements than Dems and press reported. How much did this "loyal opposition" trip down memory lane cost US in foreign support? Katie that was just wrong to do and not newsworthy or real news of the day.
I think it's DEVASTATING for
December 12, 2006 - 12:46 ET by sembyI think it's DEVASTATING for CBS News now that they brought on Katie Couric to still have low ratings.