Reagan's Death - Effect on Bush's Ratings

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If "snippy" and "prissy" and "sissified" are emotions, then yes, he was emoting.  Bothered by the context of laying a wreath?  Nope.  I don't see it that way, but perhaps I'm wrong.

So how does the photo of Bush stack up to Reagan's?  Bush still gonna "win big", courtesy of the Gipper?

Excellent speaking skills does not a leader make. Hitler would be one example. He had the power to persuade and his words struck the hearts of the Germans. He by no means bumbled and fumbled as you like to say. Bush is well educated and intelligent. He's just not the best a public speaking. It's meaningless really.

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"Excellent"?  I'd settle for average.   The man cannot speak the English language -- he doesn't speak in complete sentences, his mind occasionally wanders off while in the middle of answeriing a question.  "Excellent" is nice, but being able to express oneself clearly is a considerable part of being employable!  What's that commercial on the Rush "Dr. Feelgood" show, "Fairly or not, people DO judge you by the way you speak"!

The topic of this thread was to comment on how Reagan's death will rub off on Bush.  I believe the two presidents -- Bush and Reagan -- will be "sized up", and Bush will be seen as a cruel hoax of a statesman -- out of his element, above his game, and utterly inferior.  You can make all the excuses you wish, but that comparison will prove unkind to Bush.

A more interesting question, perhaps, is who really remembers anything Reagan ever really accomplished?  I don't mean how he charmed  or wooed your average American -- I mean in terms of actual successes during his presidency.  The news has been a little "light" in that regard.  No wonder.  Aside from populating prisons with cabinet-level officials and trading guns with the terrorists in Iran, I'm having a difficult time recalling any.  Must be old age...

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Ah, yeah.  Keep telling yourself that.

Did you go to Yale? Anyways, it is what the man DOES that matters. I mean I could go for better public speaking skills but he still does get the point across. I find myself much like the man when speaking before public. He is the shy sort, that's mainly his problem. Other then bringing down communism, Reagan didn't do to much I guess!  Oh yeah I forgot 525-13. But that's not really much of an accomplishment I guess.

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Reagan wasn't THAT great!!!  

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Bush is about equal to Ronald Reagan in their ideals. I imagine however the Reagan will be seen in a better light due to the fact that his personality is warmer. We will see how Bush does during his second term. And as for "a""b"c" student, it doesn't really matter. A college education isn't even a requirement to be president! As long as you are completely failing and no nothing I have no problem.

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Exactly how is Bush supposed to carry Reagan's message when he has trouble finishing a sentence?

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I saw an interesting letter in the newspaper today.

A man wrote in saying that he would pay the ultimate compliment to Ronald Reagan by voting for George W. Bush in November.  

He said Reagan's death made him realize that he had been wrong in opposing Reagan's policies as a college student, and that he could very well be wrong in opposing Bush today.

He compared Reagan's determination to confront communism, scoffed at by most of the "elites" to Bush's determination to confront terrorism and Islamofascism, something that is also scoffed at by our "best and brightest" in places like New York, Boston and San Francisco.

I wonder how wide a trend it will be.

As far as policy, Bush is closer to Reagan than he is to his own father's politics as President. The idea that Bush is continuing the Reagan revolution has been written about extensively. All the media time spent on Reagan's presidency will remind people who voted for Reagan how similar the two men's conservatism is.

Reagan's death may soften a small but significant amount of Bush hatred, as loss has a way of clarifying emotion and draining frenetic energy.  Certainly no hard core Bush haters will convert, but more conservative Reagan Democrat types who were disenchanted with Bush might be inclined to give him a second look.

It doesn't need to be a big trend. The passing of Reagan, coupled with steady achievements in Iraq, may turn on the light in the minds of those Reagan Democrats who were Clinton and Gore supporters the last three cycles, but really are having queasy feelings about Kerry as Commander in Chief.

"It doesn't need to be a big trend"?  Have you seen any polling data?

Polls, shmolls, it's June.

It doesn't take a miracle for a 3-4% shift to occur over 4-5 months.

In October, when the true Reagan Democrats have to make up their mind, they won't be able to bring themselves to vote for Kerry. They'll be reminded of why they voted against Carter and Mondale, and pull the lever for Bush.

There's an interesting article in yesterday's NYT about "undecided voters", and if what is written is true, your worst fears are to become reality.

"They are more likely to be white than black, female than male, married than single, and live in the suburbs rather than in large cities. They are not frequent churchgoers nor gun enthusiasts. They are clustered in swing states like Ohio, Michigan and here in Pennsylvania. And while they follow the news closely, they are largely indifferent to the back and forth of this year's race for president."

Two points, if I may:

1.  Kerry is cleaning Bush's clock with women, minorities, and independent votes in most "swing" states.  If, as the Times' suggest, a majority of "undecideds" are women, this bodes poorly for Bush.

2.  Kerry has made huge strides in polling throughout the spring.  Bush, who should have had no problem with re-election, is now falling behind in the following critical swing states:

In Ohio, Kerry leads Bush 45%-42%
In Michigan, Kerry leads Bush 45%-43%
In Pennsylvania, Kerry leads Bush 44%-41%

You may be right -- perhaps Bush can make a comeback, but in my view, Bush's glory days are all behind him, and it is a cruel and bitter wind blowing in his face until election day.  No, I think we have a lame chicken hawk on our hands.  Now the question becomes "will he leave quietly"?

- Alfie

Yes the New York Times, always known for truthful journalism. I hear the National Enquirer has been reporting more truth in their stories lately!

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Yawn. Reported.