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USA Today's Susan Page:
It's the dissatisfaction with the Bush White House coming from within the GOP that is most interesting, that seems to have moved the most dramatically in the past couple months. And if I'm reading this right, these people are interested in supporting candidates who have shown independence and even adversity to the White House. It's fascinating. This is why I think the Bush White House doing the same old same old as they have been (attacking their critics on the Iraq war as traitors, etc.) is not going to do them any favors because significant numbers of their own base are unhappy with the status quo. Here's the poll. Check out the numbers on disapproval of his handling of terrorism (49%), foreign affairs (59%), the economy (61%), the situation in Iraq (63%) , controlling federal spending (71%). 55% say Bush doesn't share their values.... Fewer than one in 10 adults say they would prefer a congressional candidate who is a Republican and who agrees with Bush on most major issues, according to a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll taken Friday through Sunday. Even among Republicans, seven of 10 are most likely to back a candidate who has had at least some disagreements with the president.
Bush's job-approval rating sank to a record 37%, down from a previous low of 39% a month ago. The poll finds growing criticism of the president, unease about the nation's direction and opposition to the war in Iraq. ...
Then check out this question: "If George W. Bush supported a candidate for political office in your area, would you be more likely or less likely to vote for that candidate?" 56% said they would be less likely to vote for them if Bush supported them, vs. 34% said they would be more likely. Geez.
But this number is most startling, and suggests why Congress may be almost impossible for Bush to have much power over the rest of his term. Only 9% of respondents want to support a Congressional candidate who is a Republican who agrees with Bush on major issues. Carrying the White House's water all these years doesn't seem like it's going to be good for quite a few people we could name. Rome indeed. Revolt is in the air.