Voters Tuning Out Cheney
Despite Dick Cheney's never ending publicity tour, a new poll finds that Americans think Obama is doing better than President Bush on national security issues.Despite a bungled response to the Christmas day terrorist plot and Dick Cheney's never ending publicity tour, a new Democracy Corps/ Third Way poll finds that Americans think the 44th President superior to the 43rd on national security issues in general AND on the issue of “combating terrorism and handling terroism suspects.”
Q: When it comes to national security, do you think President Obama is doing better, worse, or about the same as President George W. Bush?
Total better:39
Total worse: 31
And:
Q: When it comes to combating terrorism and handling terrorism suspects, do you think President Obama is doing better, worse, or about the same as President George W. Bush?
Total better:38
Total worse: 31
The poll slots Obama's national security approval at 58%, well above the 45% figure scored by Congressional Republicans. Congressional Democrats, who have said seemingly nothing about national security policy other than that they agree with the President, bring up the rear with a 43% approval.
President Obama's national security approval rating is always artificially boosted in comparison to congressional leaders since he is far more visible and acts unilaterally, but the Obama/Bush figures suggest that the former Vice-President's message is falling on deaf ears. The President might not be the soundest national security thinker, but to call him soft on terrorism and soft on defense ignores reality and Americans clearly understand that. Every time the ex-Vice-President or another Republican goes after President Obama, they simply seem unreasonable or, worse, irresponsible. Disagreeing is one thing. But Republicans should distance themselves from the Cheney family and their rather absurd rhetoric about the President “making America less safe. Voters aren't buying it.