Drawing even with the GOP on terrorism (I worked hard on this post)

[bluestateguy]

Amidst all of the hand wringing about the possibility that Bush has received a "bounce" in the polls of 1-3% points (his bounces never last, btw), some of you are losing sight of the long run big picture. All Democrats have to do is draw even with him on the "handle terrorism" question: the public perception that Democrats are up to the job of facing up to the terrorist threat in the world. And it would seem that over the long run, Democrats are almost there. For a period of time during the Dubai ports flap, I would even say that Democrats had the advantage for awhile. At any rate, if you look at the numbers here from yesterday's CBS Poll, you'll see that some real progress has been made, and that Bush and the GOP are no longer invincible on the terrorism issue. Since Democrats have the public opinion issue advantage on every other issue, including Iraq, all they need to do is draw even with Republicans/Bush on measurements of public confidence in the party's ability to handle terrorism. They are almost there.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/20060919_poll_results_sub.pdf

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling the campaign against terrorism?

December 2001 90% Approve, 6% Disapprove

September 2002 71% Approve, 21% Disapprove

December 2003 68% Approve, 26% Disapprove

November 2004 59% Approve, 37% Disapprove

December 2005, 48% Approve, 45% Disapprove

September 2006, 54% Approve, 40% Disapprove

The news is even more promising when voters are asked which party they trust more on the terrorism issue:

(Question #43)

Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or the Democratic party is more likely to make the right decisions when it comes to dealing with terrorism?

January 2002 57% Republicans, 15% Democrats

March 2003 45% Republicans, 21% Democrats

July 2004 45% Republicans, 37% Democrats

December 2005 42% Republicans, 31% Democrats

September 2006 42% Republicans, 37% Democrats

[wyldwolf]

1. ....then I'll recommend it for your hard work.

[AX10]

2. K & R!

[ShortnFiery]

3. Thank goodness it's becoming an EVEN playing field.

The American People are beginning to figure out that John Wayne tactics cannot, in and of themselves, help us to minimize the acts of terrorism.

I hope that people are tiring of all the Fear-mongering and don't want to consider the concept of Perpetual War to be a good thing for their children and grandchildren. :thumbsdown:

It seems to me that people have finally awakened from their "jingoistic coma" to realize that The Republicans are running this country into the crappier. That, just maybe, more intelligent, thoughtful and cool heads will prevail to keep Americans Safer. :shrug:

[Benhurst]

4. Recommended #7

[Coexist]

5. within 4 points... nice

[Straight Shooter]

6. January '02, 57% Repubs, 15% Dems, all because of a bullhorn??

Americans are such suckers. The biggest failure of intelligence and leadership this country has ever seen, and Americans get snookered by a freak with a bullhorn on a pile of rubble that he was whisked in and whisked out lest he breathe too much of the cancerous air.

Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.

[bvar22]

7. The DEMOCRATS won a World War....

...in LESS time than the REPUBLICANS have been looking for Osama.

[Armstead]

8. K% R

Since you worked hard on it.

[gully]

9. Ahh, thank you!

encouraging news.