# New poll: Confidence in Bush leadership at all-time low **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 23, 2007, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035 "2007-01-23T02:29:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/21 "2007-01-23T15:23:02Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] Exactly, power of the purse doesn’t mean jack if one doesn’t have the balls to say “no”. -Joe [/QUOTE] Isn’t it possible this poll will inspire Congress to grow a pair? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/22 "2007-01-23T15:24:41Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Done. Simple bet. A Republican is inaugurated President in January 2009, I win. A Democrat is inaugurated, you win. Any other result is a push. Questions of popular vote vs. electoral vote, vote rigging, vote suppression, vote fraud, are all irrelevant to this wager. The sole determinant of who wins is who gets inaugurated. [/QUOTE] It’s fair, smart and prudent of you to spell out the terms so precisely. But it’s sad we’ve come to point where anyone would think it necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/23 "2007-01-23T15:24:43Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] I’ll be in for $100. Seriously, I honor my bets, and I know you do, too, **Bricker**. Just remind me because I may forget about it two years from now. [/QUOTE] Which side of the bet are you taking? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/24 "2007-01-23T15:38:22Z")
Hmmm. If he dissolves Congress and declares himself President for Life, and foregoes any inaugaration, who wins? Aside from Satan, that is… ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/25 "2007-01-23T15:56:48Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Hmmm. If he dissolves Congress and declares himself President for Life, and foregoes any inaugaration, who wins? [/QUOTE] Not the US citizenry, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/26 "2007-01-23T16:09:57Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Isn’t it possible this poll will inspire Congress to grow a pair? [/QUOTE] Absolutely not. However, since this seems to the betting thread… -Joe ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/27 "2007-01-23T16:21:22Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] I’m ready to take bets. The Republicans will retain the White House in the 2008 election. So – no, I don’t believe this poll has any particular implications for the 2008 Presidential elections. Anyone wanna risk some money? [/QUOTE] Sure. If you recall, we had a bet on 2004, which I lost, but despite some emails back and forth, you never collected on your bet - can’t even remember why right now. Given that it’s 2007 already, should we just go double-or-nothing? (With terms as you set them out in post #20 for your bet with **Frank**.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/28 "2007-01-23T16:30:28Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Done. Simple bet. A Republican is inaugurated President in January 2009, I win. A Democrat is inaugurated, you win. Any other result is a push. Questions of popular vote vs. electoral vote, vote rigging, vote suppression, vote fraud, are all irrelevant to this wager. The sole determinant of who wins is who gets inaugurated. [/QUOTE] Should you take me up on my double-or-nothing, let me, with your permission, add one for-instance to the non-push results: If neither the EC nor the House is able to choose a President by or during January 2009, but per the 20th Amendment, the Senate chooses a Veep who becomes acting President, I would consider the party of the Vice-President acting as President to be determining. What would your thoughts be? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/29 "2007-01-23T17:38:59Z")
Christ, RT, you’re anal sometimes! [QUOTE=Bricker] I’m ready to take bets. The Republicans will retain the White House in the 2008 election. So – no, I don’t believe this poll has any particular implications for the 2008 Presidential elections. Anyone wanna risk some money? [/QUOTE] Sure thing. Same terms as last time? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/30 "2007-01-23T17:46:27Z")
[QUOTE=Jonathan Chance] Christ, RT, you’re anal sometimes! [/quote] We came within something like 37,000 votes of a 269-269 tie last time. I’d say there’s a big enough chance of its happening in 2008 (~5%, maybe) to be worthy of inclusion. Right now, I don’t think either party has a majority of state delegations in the House. And if that remained unchanged in the next election, the Senate would decide. Let’s put it this way: I think this possibility’s real enough that I’d be pissed if the Dems dealt Utah an extra electoral vote before the next election. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/31 "2007-01-23T17:58:26Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] Sure. If you recall, we had a bet on 2004, which I lost, but despite some emails back and forth, you never collected on your bet - can’t even remember why right now. Given that it’s 2007 already, should we just go double-or-nothing? (With terms as you set them out in post #20 for your bet with **Frank**.) [/QUOTE] I don’t recall either … …but, done! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/32 "2007-01-23T17:59:55Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] Should you take me up on my double-or-nothing, let me, with your permission, add one for-instance to the non-push results: If neither the EC nor the House is able to choose a President by or during January 2009, but per the 20th Amendment, the Senate chooses a Veep who becomes acting President, I would consider the party of the Vice-President acting as President to be determining. What would your thoughts be? [/QUOTE] I think there’s very little chance of that happening, so I have no problem conceding that term. Sure. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/33 "2007-01-23T18:00:34Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Which side of the bet are you taking? [/QUOTE] Democrat is inaugurated, i.e. against your side. ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/34 "2007-01-23T18:09:22Z")
[QUOTE=Sam Stone] . . .I think the door could be open for another Republican who the public has confidence in. Maybe Rudy Guliani, if he can ever get through the primaries. [/quote] It is to laugh. > [@](#): > > I wish Fred Thompson would get in the race. A total outsider, not involved in the Iraq thing at all, having resigned the same year Bush was elected. He doesn’t seem particularly beholden to the religious right (which might be his downfall). This would prove to be a good time. Particularly considering the readiness with which those with a parenthetical R rush to bash things they consider “Hollywood Liberalism”. Plus, without some serious support from the RR, I don’t think he’d have a chance at the nomination. Witness McCain’s newfound love for all things Jesusy. > [@](#): > > I’d like to see a debate between Fred Thompson and Barack Obama. That would be some good theater. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/35 "2007-01-23T18:11:48Z")
[QUOTE=Jonathan Chance] Sure thing. Same terms as last time? [/QUOTE] Yes. Done! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/36 "2007-01-23T18:12:43Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] Done. Simple bet. A Republican is inaugurated President in January 2009, I win. A Democrat is inaugurated, you win. Any other result is a push. [/QUOTE] Simple enough. Works for me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/37 "2007-01-23T18:20:49Z")
[QUOTE=GLWasteful] This would prove to be a good time. Particularly considering the readiness with which those with a parenthetical R rush to bash things they consider “Hollywood Liberalism”. [/QUOTE] And how would that apply to Thompson? The “Rs” in Tennessee, that bastion of left wing ideology, had no problems electing him to the Senate. Note also: Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwartzenneger. Seems like Hollywood is more likely to produce a successful “R” politician than a “D”. ---
**Author:** ![GLWasteful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f05b48/32.png) [@GLWasteful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GLWasteful)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/38 "2007-01-23T18:53:50Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] And how would that apply to Thompson? The “Rs” in Tennessee, that bastion of left wing ideology, had no problems electing him to the Senate. Note also: Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwartzenneger. Seems like Hollywood is more likely to produce a successful “R” politician than a “D”. [/QUOTE] Primarily because of the hypocrisy that they would be accused of. While Tennessee certainly elevated him to Senator, I just don’t see too many people across the width and breadth of the US voting for him as President. Not to mention that I doubt he would pursue the nomination in a million years. As to Reagan, well, you certainly got me there. Although, he also had some serious national cred as a conservative going in. And his affability and years of Chesterfield ads, too. Schwarzenegger is a non-starter. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/39 "2007-01-23T19:35:23Z")
I’d also like to bet that a Democrat is inaugurated in Jan. 2009, as well. Can I get in on the action for $100? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035/40 "2007-01-23T20:33:40Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] I think there’s very little chance of that happening, so I have no problem conceding that term. Sure. [/QUOTE] Excellent. Game on! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-confidence-in-bush-leadership-at-all-time-low/389035.md?page=3)