President Bush Says He Doesn't Know Anything, The Public Concurs

President Bush says he doesn't like to read newspapers govern by the polls. And it's a good thing for him that he doesn't. Because it turns out those pesky American people (darn them!)... well, they just don't like him very much.

A new Washington Post/ABC News Poll has the President at an overall 38% approval (where he's been, give or take a few points, since the late summer of '05). But the interesting number is the % who strongly disapprove (as opposed to somewhat disapprove)- 47%. That's high. This isn't temporary frustration or disatisfaction. They're finally done with the guy. A number of factors - the Katrina aftermath, the growing debacle in Iraq, numerous other scandals- have pulled away the curtain that this White House had managed to keep over the President for so long.

See also this article on the poll: Poll Finds Bush Job Rating at New Low

Yes, it's too late to vote him out, but his party (no saints themselves) will likely pay the price.

And so the article has the good news for Democrats-

A majority of registered voters, 55 percent, say they plan to vote for the Democratic candidate in their House district, while 40 percent support the Republican candidate. That is the largest share of the electorate favoring Democrats in Post-ABC polls since the mid-1980s.

And this chart shows they are favored now on every issue:


Of course, November's a long way away and the Republicans likely have all sorts of military strikes tricks planned to retain their control. And never underestimate the Democrats' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Meanwhile, the President continues his 'average Joe' PR blitz...

Gone is the the President who mispronounces words and scratches his head in confusion... here is the President who jokes around like a fratboy and laughs at his own stupidity. 'Yea, I'm a bad President, look I'm laughing about it, next question, let's have fun with this!'. Yes, there is nothing the United States of America needs more in a time of war than a moron who makes inappropriate jokes, talks down to his citizens, and admits he's completely unaware of how his government operates.

That last point was solidified yesterday at an appearance the President made at Johns Hopkins University (next stop- Letterman!). A student, who would no doubt run the government better, asked the President an excellent question about what the laws are that govern private military contractors in Iraq. The President, clearly unaware of the answer to the question, starts giggling and stammering and panting. He's clearly on the spot and flying without a script. He says he'll ask Rumsfeld for the answer (really he will, he swears!) and makes a 'joke' about how he's dodging the question. He reiterates he will just defer to Sec. Rumsfeld on this one (Rummy's doing a heck of a job!) and notes that "That's how I work". I hope Jon Stewart's paying George for all the free material.

Wonkette has that video and commentary on the 'Vegas stage' chapter of Bush's political career:
Bush Urges Nation: Tip Your Waitress

Gee, I can't imagine why he's not popular anymore. I guess some people are just scared of clowns.



[PS- Bush administration as Greek tragedy? Andrew Sullivan gets a great email: Revenger's Tragedy?]