January 22, 2005
Fetch me a coffee and a beignet, Dubya.
By Jim Dallas
Normally, I'd presume that the American people will always tell pollsters (by large margins) that they oppose partisan bickering and support "compromise" and bi-partisanship as a general principle.
Ruy Teixeira prattles off a list of recent poll results, two of which stick out:
[WSJ Poll] How should the Democrats conduct themselves in Congress? By 57-33, the public thinks Democrats should provide a balance so Bush and the Republicans don't go too far, rather than work in a bipartisan fashion to pass Bush's legislative priorities.
[L.A. Times Poll] By an overwhelming 71-25 margin the public believes Bush should compromise with Democrats on his issues, rather than proceed as if he has a mandate to push through his agenda.
So, presuming these samples are accurate reflections of current public opinion, a large majority of Americans think that the President and the Republican majority they just elected by larger margins should cave in to the Democratic minority - and the Democrats are not being encouraged to reciprocate the favor. That is truly weird, especially considering the conventional wisdom that Democrats like us are now tainted with "loser" status.
It's never too early, I guess, to officially kick the left-blogosphere's biennial ritual of making ridiculously over-optimistic projections about Democratic performance in the next election, so here it is:
We are so totally going to own you in 2006! LOL 2 TEH MAX!
Posted by Jim Dallas at January 22, 2005 04:29 AM
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Present the same worn out candidates as 2004, you'll be shopping at the local discount store like this past election. Maybe these polls are like the exit polls from November 2? You'll surely want to put a whole lot of faith in them. Please do, then I know Dems don't have a chance.
Did you mean to use the word "prattle"? If you did mean it that way then it changes the intent of the rest of the post.
Finally, my theory is correct--people think that Bush ought to compromise with us!!!
Peter, Dubya is about as low-rent as one can get. I think I saw him on the 75% off aisle at Wal-Mart, next to a broken hose and slimy flower pot.
Oh, so now you disagree with Senator Kerry that the President is out only for the privileged. Nice to see you becoming more Republican. Nice to see you seeing our President as a common man with common taste. In short, in touch with mainstream America. Welcome Andrea to the Republican Party. You've been Hannitized. RIINNGGG!
Wow, what a nice sound. lol
Yes, I did mean prattle.
Sometimes, just giving a lot of poll numbers can be meaningless.
For what it's worth, I doubt that pulling a Gingrich would win over the American people, even if that's what the polls suggest.
I think that ultimately, a little compromise will be necessary to present a contrast with Bush.
"We're willing to be flexible, why aren't you?!?"
Nonetheless, I also happen to think that we're often too willing to compromise (duh).
The goal is to look strong and reasonable.
