Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockman_scott who wrote (41072)	4/2/2004 10:29:52 AM
From: T L Comiskey	Respond to of 89467

NewsView: Bush Loses Ground on Terror By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites)'s high marks for waging war on terrorism have been the bedrock of his popularity and his re-election campaign. Traditionally, commander in chief is the cornerstone for any incumbent, and this president is no exception. But recently, Bush's image as the wartime steward has taken a hit, from former counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke's compelling testimony that the Bush administration ignored the terrorist threat for months to the president's insistence — then reversal — that national security adviser Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) won't testify before the Sept. 11 commission. In that time, polls show Bush's strength on handling terrorism has eroded, although a majority of voters still believe he is better equipped to deal with the issue than his Democratic rival, John Kerry (news - web sites). And voters expressed similar sentiments. "I like the leadership Bush showed after 9-11 — being aggressive against al-Qaida, going after the Taliban, going into Iraq (news - web sites)," said Robert Heinz, a 32-year-old political independent from Peoria Heights, Ill. "I feel safe with him in there," said Daniel Blake, a Democratic-leaning independent from Southwest City, Mo. But Bush's approval rating on handling terrorism dropped from 70 percent to 57 percent between January and March in a Newsweek poll released last weekend. Other polls have shown his approval dropping from the mid 60s to the high 50s during the winter. Bush has lost little ground in the last two months among Republicans on the terrorism issue, but he lost 23 percentage points among Democrats and 13 points among independents in that poll. Many voters agree with Clarke's principal complaints about Bush on terror, according to a Los Angeles Times poll released Thursday. More than half of voters, particularly independents, say they agree with claims that Bush didn't pay enough attention to terrorism before the attacks and say he was more focused on invading Iraq than making terrorism his top priority. Unclear is what impact the images of the grisly deaths of four Americans Wednesday in the Iraqi town of Fallujah will have on the president's standing. Bush has proclaimed Iraq as the central battleground in the war against terror. But even though the public is expressing more doubts about Bush on terrorism, Kerry hasn't gained ground on the issue. When asked in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll March 19-21 whom they would trust to do a better job of protecting the country, 58 percent said Bush and 35 percent said Kerry. Other polls since then have shown a similar Bush advantage. Those in the AP-Ipsos poll most likely to prefer Bush on terrorism were men, Republicans, married people and those who most wanted a candidate who stands up for what he believes. Even one-fourth of Democrats preferred Bush to handle terrorism. Most voters see Bush as a decisive leader, while more see Kerry as someone who will change his positions for political purposes. Even some likely Kerry voters say Bush is stronger on the terrorism issue. Deanna Hubert, a 35-year-old independent from Bonney Lake, Wash., says she's considering voting for Kerry, but still has more confidence in Bush's ability to combat terrorism. "Bush will take action," she said. "I don't know enough about Kerry to say that he would do as good a job or a better job as Bush on terrorism." The concerted attack on Clarke by Bush administration officials and Republicans on Capitol Hill was necessary to protect the backbone of Bush's strength in the polls, said Charles Franklin, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "It was absolutely crucial that they protect that number," Franklin said. ___