Despite the downturn in Iraq and the string of negative books about his administration, President Bush has shown remarkable durability in his poll numbers.The latest Gallup Poll shows the President with a comfortable lead over Democratic challenger U.S. Senator John Kerry (51-46%) among likely voters. Bush has been able to withstand a dangerous turn of events in Iraq in which U.S. casualties have increased significantly. He also has been under attack from recent authors such as his former Treasury Secretary Paul O´Neil, former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clark and now Bob Woodward. In Woodward´s book, "Plan of Attack," it is charged that Bush informed the Saudi ambassador of his Iraqi war plans before his Secretary of State Colin Powell. Woodward also claims that funds were possibly illegally diverted from the Afghanistan war operation to help with the build-up to the war in Iraq. The White House denies both of these charges.
President Bush has a solid core of supporters who are willing to support him regardless of problems in Iraq and regardless of book revelations. In fact, the war on terror, Iraq war, national security and leadership of the military are major strengths of President Bush.
As more voters focus on national security, the war on terror and the Iraqi war, Bush will benefit. As long as this type of discussion continues, Bush will lead in the polls. When the discussion turns to the economy and domestic issues, Kerry will benefit.
In one regard, the fate of both Bush and Kerry is not in their hands. Much of the coverage of the presidential election will focus on Iraq as long as there are problems in that country.
Interestingly, if the Iraqi war goes better and the coverage begins to move on to other issues, the candidate to gain the most will not be the commander in chief, but actually Senator John Kerry.
If the campaign focuses on the domestic issues such as health care and the economy, Kerry´s chances will increase. Right now, those domestic issues are in the background, thus, President Bush is in the lead. We´ll see if the focus changes in the weeks ahead.
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=1492
President Bush has a solid core of supporters who are willing to support him regardless of problems in Iraq and regardless of book revelations. In fact, the war on terror, Iraq war, national security and leadership of the military are major strengths of President Bush.
As more voters focus on national security, the war on terror and the Iraqi war, Bush will benefit. As long as this type of discussion continues, Bush will lead in the polls. When the discussion turns to the economy and domestic issues, Kerry will benefit.
In one regard, the fate of both Bush and Kerry is not in their hands. Much of the coverage of the presidential election will focus on Iraq as long as there are problems in that country.
Interestingly, if the Iraqi war goes better and the coverage begins to move on to other issues, the candidate to gain the most will not be the commander in chief, but actually Senator John Kerry.
If the campaign focuses on the domestic issues such as health care and the economy, Kerry´s chances will increase. Right now, those domestic issues are in the background, thus, President Bush is in the lead. We´ll see if the focus changes in the weeks ahead.
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=1492
