That's One Ba-a-a-ad Poll

This new CBS News poll will make some members of the Republican party, and the Bush administration political team, lose some sleep over the next few days.

Only 29% of Americans, in the poll, think that the Iraq war has been worth the American lives and costs; only 41% think that removing Saddam was worth the American lives and costs. The GOP internals on those two questions, 58% and 67% respectively. That means 1 in 3 Republicans believe that removing Saddam wasn't worth the costs; 2 in 5 think the war has been a net loss. The oerall number for Bush's handling of "the situation with Iraq" is 30%; the GOP number is only 61%. Again, 2 in 5 Republicans don't approve of Bush's handling of the Iraq war.

That's how you get a 34% approval rating, overall--when only 72% of Republicans approve of your performance, and 9% of Democrats and 29% of Independents approve of your performance . . . that's 34%. That's a remarkable number.

My question is: Who are these 9% of Democrats who approve of Bush's performance? I mean, I guess that includes Faux News "regular" Dick Morris, a nominal Democrat . . . but who else?

Btw, Cheney is at 18%. Only 41% of Republicans have a favorable opinion of Cheney. Hmmmm. As Jon Stewart would say, 1 in 5 (20%) of dentists recommend sugared gum. That's the same percentage (of Americans) who approve of Cheney's performance in office.

In other words, 20% is the Mendoza line of polling. You can get almost 20% for anything. That's where Cheney's at. And Bush is basically at 2 out of 3 agin' him.

My prediction: Expect the next nine months to be Hillary Scare, 24-7, on Faux News, GOP talk radio, and from the mouths of Republicans near you. To shift the subject from Bush . . . talk Hillary!