President Bush's low popularity rating in the polls is often reported by the media and many Democrats say this shows that they have an advantage and will win more Congressional seats and the Presidency in 2008.
The Democrats have a majority in both houses of Congress and Congressional satisfaction ratings are lower than Presidental satisfaction ratings.
Will this have any affect on the elections of 2008 for either Democrats or Republicans in Congress? What affect, if any, will it have on the Presidential race? Why don't Republicans that aren't in Congress using it as many Democratic candidates use the President's rating?
2007-07-19 10:17:28 · 7 answers · asked by Truth is elusive 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
the individual ratings are much more important than the group ratings.
this is where the president is unique--he is the only one who really gets his own rating, the supreme court, military, and congress are all lumped together as a whole. the president bears full responsibility.
a low rating for the president now doesn't translate to a democratic victory. far from it--it translates to "at least bush isn't running again."
surely, the democrats know this but they're still trying to milk it for all it's worth.
as for low ratings elsewhere, in congress, etc. a representative who is not serving his constituents will have a much harder time in the election. however, being a political incumbent is one of the most secure jobs you can have--it's damn near impossible to beat someone out.
a challenger will wait until the time is right, not riding only on polls.
so it could have a devastating effect on congress, but probably not much of one in the presidential race.
2007-07-19 10:23:18 · answer #1 · answered by brian 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, people won't vote for someone who they think won't win. People falsely believe that if they vote for the person with the higher poll ratings, they will have a better chance in the general election.
The truth is that in the GOP general election, Ron Paul would be the one with the best chance of winning against hillary clinton. Even Las Vegas bookies say that this is the case. (they take bets on the outcome of the presidential elction, and they have to make these judgements to determine chances and payoffs)
2007-07-19 10:23:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Polls can be wrong. You have to know who takes the poll, what questions are asked, who is asked, who analyzed the data. If CBS takes a poll and says the Republicans' approval rating is any number, I won't believe. CBS is so liberally biased, I do not trust or believe anything they say.
When I vote, I choose the candidate who best supports my values. I don't pay attention to anyone's poll when I vote.
2007-07-19 10:22:37 · answer #3 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For weak minded people who follow the media, yes, it affects them, that is why they advertise it so much on the news.....(in case you didn't know, the liberal population thrives off of the media......that is where most of their investments lie in.)
For other people, who actually have a view about society, no, the news doesn't persuade them to vote a certain way.
2007-07-19 10:22:26 · answer #4 · answered by kaliroadrager 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Polls should have nothing to do with voting. A true democracy requires that every one vote with a WELL INFORMED concience.
Unfortunatly, most Americans are fairly ignorant, and either do not vote, or vote based on, among other things, polls of other, mostly ignorant, Anericans.
2007-07-19 10:22:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really since the President is a bigger worry than whatever Congress is doing.
President Bush is a douchebag.
2007-07-19 10:22:02 · answer #6 · answered by Redeemer 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it shouldn't affect the elections. its an approval rating of him, not his party. kinda like saying the NL sucks because the pirates suck.
2007-07-19 10:20:33 · answer #7 · answered by SUPER BOB BARKER 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋