Partisanship
So these results are not completely unexpected, and the results surely range far beyond partisanship:
In a study a couple years ago, Democrats and Republicans both had a hard time correctly assessing information contradictory to their points of view. The test involved hearing contradictory statements from John Kerry and George W. Bush. The candidates on the test subjects’ sides could essentially deny their favored candidate’s statements while jumping on the opponent.
Oh, and right now Bush has a 32% approval rating. 65% Republicans approve of Bush. I would like to ask those of you who do give Bush a thumbs-up two things:
1. Why does Bush get your approval?
2. What do you think Bush has done poorly (if anything)?
If you’re wondering what the picture has to do with this, it’s because the weapon the processioneers are carrying is called a “partisan”. It’s a spear-like weapon, but instead of a simple spear point, the sharp end has little “wings” on the side. Presumably this was to aid in catching incoming swordstrokes, but I’m not convinced it made a partisan wielder that much more capable against swordsman than a spear wielder.
Sources: Democrats and Republicans Both Adept at Ignoring Facts, Study Finds
Might answer the two questions later, but just to do a small bit of propaganda (which I haven’t gotten around to posting yet but hope to) I’ll mention something you didn’t: the congress just went down in their approval ratings to a record low of 9%. So the president has over 3 times higher approval, that’s something going for him at least. 2% of people actually think congress is doing an excellent job, half of these people lived in an insane asylum however(jk, i shouldn’t insult the intelligence of those in insane asylums).
Well I guess this is the silver lining on oil prices, people are (rightfully IMO) upset with the democrats in congress for not allowing more drilling.
Comment by l3rucewayne | 10 July 2008
The weird thing is that Congress almost always has significantly lower ratings compared to the President. Not sure why.
I wonder how much of an effect more drilling would really have on prices.
Comment by Donnie | 11 July 2008
We like President Bush for a number of reasons that I won’t go into because you’d only come back at us refuting them. I just thought - is there anything about President Bush you like? I am sorry he caved in on that Kyoto treaty but maybe he figures “Oh, so what, I’m out of here.”
Your mom called and said you’re back in Houston.
Can I say — Love, Grandma?
Comment by Grandma | 11 July 2008
But are they regularly under 1/3 as approved as the president? I wouldn’t know, but I would assume it is unusual. I wonder too about the effect on prices, but don’t we currently give substantial monetary support to terrorism by relying so much on foreign oil? (not sure myself, but that is the impression I have) If that is the case then it seems like drilling at home could have good effects other than lower prices. But I suspect more drilling could have a decent sized effect on prices.
I’ll be very frank about why I first liked Bush: 1. He’s a protestant Christian with policies that don’t seem to contradict that worldview (such as he is not pro abortion).
2. He has a likable personality.
Since I first liked Bush however my reasons have grown somewhat and I doubt I could accurately recall each one so I’ll just mention a couple: 1. I have been very impressed at his refusal to give in to political pressures such as the media on various things of importance, namely the Iraq war, which thankfully we are winning thanks in large part to the surge. Props to McCain for supporting the surge (before Bush if that matters to people, yes this is a shameless plug for my candidate of choice).
2. I suspect that there is a connection between Bush’s presidency and the fact that we have not (to the best of my knowledge) suffered another major terrorist attack since 9/11.
I think the Bush administration’s two big failures are: 1. Failure to reign in spending. 2. Failure to successfully defend themselves in terms of reputation.
I have a question for you which I would assume I know the answer to but I wonder if I’m mistaken: If you were forced to choose, would you vote for Obama or McCain or refuse to vote no matter what?
Comment by l3rucewayne | 11 July 2008
The primary thing I give this administration credit for is that US soil has not suffered an attack after 9/11.
But there have been far too many mistakes to say the government’s done a good job overall. Strategic mistakes in the Iraq War. Raising spending and lowering taxes, greatly increasing the deficit, which has its own economic effects.
If forced to choose between Obama and McCain, it would be Obama. But not because I’d think he’d be particularly good. When Howard Dean said the US would have to prepare for when it’s no longer the strongest world power. He’s right. This will be one of the few most important aspects of the next president, and McCain seems much worse for this role.
Comment by Donnie | 13 July 2008