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NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2006

Poll: Dems Carry Big Pre-Election Lead

CBS/NYT Survey Finds Democrats With 18-Point Edge Over GOP As Election Nears

  • Play CBS Video Video Poll: Democrats Hold Lead

    Democrats hold an 18-point lead over Republicans one week before the midterm elections, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll. Bob Schieffer discusses the poll results.

  • Photo

     (CBS/AP)

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    Complete coverage and analysis of Senate and key House races, plus gubernatorial elections.

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    Watch the hard-hitting attack ads of Campaign 2006

(CBS)  Democrats hold a sizeable lead over Republicans with a week to go until the critical midterm congressional elections, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll.

If the election for the House of Representatives were held today, 52 percent of likely voters would support the Democratic candidate in their district, versus just 34 percent who would vote for the Republican — an 18-point advantage for the Democrats, four points more than a month ago.

Iraq remains by far the most important issue for voters, with 27 percent naming it their top concern, followed by the economy and jobs (13 percent), illegal immigration (8 percent) and terrorism (7 percent).

2006 CONGRESSIONAL VOTE
(Among Likely Voters)

Now:
Democrats
52%
Republicans
34%

10/2006:
Democrats
50%
Republicans
36%

Opinions on Iraq are strongly associated with which way voters are leaning, particularly among those opposed to the war.

Nearly three-fourths of those who think the U.S. should have stayed out of Iraq say they're voting Democratic, while most of those who support the Iraq war (61 percent) are voting Republican.

Read the complete CBS News poll results.
Which party will control Congress is an important concern for many voters with more (34 percent) saying their vote will be to put Democrats in charge than say it will be to keep Republicans in the majority (20 percent).

CONGRESSIONAL VOTE WILL BE TO:
(Among Likely Voters)

Put Democrats in control
34%
Keep Republicans in control
20%
Something else
42%

President Bush's sagging popularity is also a factor in the campaign, with 40 percent of voters saying theirs will be a vote against the president — nearly three times as many as say theirs will be a vote for Mr. Bush.

Among Democrats, fully seven in 10 say they will be voting against the president.

That's a big change from past midterm elections, when presidential influence was either neutral (Presidents Clinton and George H. W. Bush), or positive (President Reagan).

While the president is on the road campaigning for Republicans in the campaign's final days, the poll finds that Mr. Bush's support may actually hurt GOP candidates.

CONGRESSIONAL VOTE WILL BE:
(Among Likely Voters)

For Bush
14%
Against Bush
40%
Not About Bush
41%

One third of voters say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate the president supported, versus 11 percent who'd be more likely to vote for that candidate. A majority of voters, however, said Mr. Bush's support for a local candidate would not influence their vote.

Mr. Bush's overall job approval rating remains at 34 percent in the poll, the same as it was last month, while 58 percent disapprove of the job he's doing.

Ratings for Congress are also low, with 29 percent approving of the job Congress is doing and 56 percent disapproving.

Those numbers for Congress are much worse than before the midterm elections two years ago, but not quite as bad as before the 1994 midterms, when Republicans took control of Congress from the Democrats. Then, just 20 percent approved of the job Congress was doing.

As is typical, Americans rate their own representatives much higher: 58 percent approve of the job their own member of Congress is doing, while 26 percent disapprove.

CONGRESS JOB APPROVAL

Overall:
Approve
29%
Disapprove
56%

Own Representative:
Approve
58%
Disapprove
26%

Democrats continue to be more enthusiastic than Republicans about the upcoming elections, but enthusiasm on both sides of the aisle has risen since early October. Fifty-three percent of Democrats and 42 percent of Republicans say they feel more enthusiastic about voting in this election than usual.

One explanation for Democrats' enthusiasm could be that most voters (61 percent) expect Democrats to win more seats this election. Even 38 percent of Republicans think Democrats will prevail.

Democrats' chances are getting a big boost from women and independents in this election.

Fifty percent of independents said they favor Democratic candidates, while 23 percent favor Republicans.

Among women, Democrats have a 21-point edge over Republicans; among men, the Democratic lead is 15 points.

In a troubling sign for Republicans, the poll finds some attrition from the GOP ranks since the 2004 presidential election: 17 percent who voted for President Bush two years ago say they will vote Democratic this year.

On Iraq, the poll found optimism about the war's ultimate outcome continuing to sink. Just over half of Americans said the U.S. is very likely or somewhat likely to succeed; 45 percent, the highest number ever, think the U.S. is not at all likely to succeed.

Fewer Americans than ever before, 20 percent, think the U.S. is winning the war, and two-thirds say the war's going badly.

Voters are strongly critical of President Bush's handling of Iraq. Six in 10 want the U.S. to change its strategy and tactics in Iraq, while just 8 percent want to stick with the current strategy.

About half of Americans want to see U.S. troop reductions in Iraq immediately, including one-quarter who want all U.S. troops removed. Voters overwhelmingly believe Democrats would bring troops home sooner than Republicans would.

Regardless of which party wins control of Congress, most voters think the new Congress will make Iraq its top priority.

Thirteen percent of voters believe Republicans would make fighting terrorism their top priority, compared with just 3 percent who think it would top the Democrats’ priorities. But most voters think the threat of terrorism will remain the same no matter which party controls the Congress.

Nine percent of voters believe Democrats would focus on the economy, as opposed to 7 percent for Republicans. More voters also think that taxes will increase under a Democratic Congress than a Republican one.

For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.


This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1084 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephone October 27-31, 2006. The sample included 932 registered voters. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points and three points for results based on registered voters. Each registered voter is assigned a probability of voting, which is used to calculate the likely voter results. The sum of these probabilities is the effective number of likely voters. The effective number of likely voters is 598. The error due to sampling for likely voters could be plus or minus four points.


©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Add a Comment See all 140 Comments
by one_american November 1, 2006 6:55 PM PST
A CBS News/New York Times poll?

Good grief. How accurate and unbiased could that poll ever truly be?

Did you have Dan Rather & Mary Mapes working the phones?

Not buying it, CBS!
Reply to this comment
by fascistusa November 1, 2006 7:06 PM PST
All I need to know is that AMERICA IS FASCIST.
Both sides are corrupt.

Represent ME. Not The Rich/Corporations. Let's see how long the Government and Business will function as the Labor Revolts.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 November 1, 2006 7:13 PM PST
Great if it all pans out and the democratic party regains control of congres.This is a poll the Washington Post has a similiar poll that breaks it down by races,currently 13 congressional seats are to go to Democrats with 17 to close to call and 5 leaning Republican,in the senate it is 6 democratic seats in favour with 3 to close to call and none in the republican camp.There are lots of polls what counts is voter turnout and what the Democrats do.They have a narrow window to turn things around and Pelosi 100 hour plan will not fix Iraq.Iraq is the most problematic issue facing the country followed by Iran/Syria and N.Korea all of these foreign policy problems relate to economics on the macro scale.We cannot STAY THE COURSE and we cannot CUT AND RUN so the democratic leadership is going to have to if elected as predicted reach across the aisle to republicans and forment a solid plan that they can take to the President and the pentagon.If no one does this at the onset of the new congress then they are wasting lives and precious time to at least stabilize Iraq so we can bring our troops home.The old saying still holds true you broke it you fix it.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 November 1, 2006 7:15 PM PST
To One_American go to the Washington Post or times and you will find similar polls coming from conservative newspapers.I trust their reporting despite its bias.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 November 1, 2006 7:28 PM PST
What happened to the SEC investigation into Haliburtons accounting practices that had driven the stock down to $17 a share when Clintons last term was ending?Cheny was the C.E.O. during the time of the alleged improper and incorrect accounting disclosures.It is odd that the second largest and not the most reliant oil company haliburton was awarded a no bid contract when Shlumbershe (pardon the spelling) is the giant in the oil drilling,refining and repair.
Reply to this comment
by usawatchman November 1, 2006 7:37 PM PST
A VOTE against a Republican
is NOT a vote for a Democrat

Democrats take NOTICE
If you act like a REPUBLICAN and IGNORE the will of the PEOPLE

You will be OUT of OFFICE
NEXT TIME AROUND
====

I have been VOTING Republican since 1976

I am going to vote OUT who ever is IN (first)
I am going to vote for a third party (second),,
and if there isn't a third party
Then, and only then will the Democrat get my vote

=============

UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
James B. Veasaw v. Cari M. Domingues,et al.
No: 05-1467
Government employees committed CRIMES against the PEOPLE
and the COURTS were helping them it COVER UP..!

OUR GOVT. and THE COURTS ARE CORRUPT
our country is going down the toilet !
Reply to this comment
by observantx November 1, 2006 7:41 PM PST
If these polls are accurate, it is a small faint glimmer of hope for our nation. If you want to change the direction of this country, you need to turn off the TV and get yourself down to the polling booth and VOTE as if your freedom and very life depends on it. Because it truly does. Do not get complacent. This is full court press and time to rack up the score.

The average American Jack and Jill need to stand up to these crass and bloated power addicts whether they are DEMS or GOP and say %u201CThat%u2019s it. You%u2019re outta here!

What disturbs me most is the part of the poll that shows while Congress in general gets a failing grade, most people think THEIR senator or representative is fine. People, if the last two election cycles have shown us anything, they have shown us you can%u2019t have it both ways. The halls of Congress and the White House (which is supposed to be OUR house) need to be swept clean.

VOTE to save this nation.

VOTE to preserve your individual safety and freedom from the despot in the White House.

VOTE to make this nation a beacon of hope and freedom as our founding fathers meant it to be.

Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 November 1, 2006 8:02 PM PST
To USAwatchman could you elaborate on this I did a google and what came up was alot of legal doublespeak of denying an individuals rights but it does not address the greivance the plaintiffs filed.What was the grievance there are at least 200 names attached it to the denial?
Reply to this comment
by usawatchman November 1, 2006 8:32 PM PST
details are far more than can be put in a single 1500 limit posting


Due process and Equal protection under the law
was denied because the Plaintiff could not afford an attorney.

When the courts were given the opportunity to render Justice,
they NOT ONLY took the side of CORRUPT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
who had beed CAUGHT committing CRIMINAL ACTS against the plaintiff
they (the Court) even HELPED with the COVER UP.

The question presented to the court (after 10 yr of Bureaucrat and Court cover-ups)
1) Are State and Federal Employees IMMUNE to commit CRIMES against the PEOPLE in order to GAIN the upper hand in a Court Case or Administrative investigation and/or Process , without any fear of RETRIBUTION in the COURTS?

2) Are FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS accessible by All Citizen for whom the programs were designed for, or are they just really WORK PROGRAMS designed to give CRONIES and BUREAUCRATS high paying Jobs?

3) Must the citizens of this country PASS LITERARY TESTS in order to receive PROTECTION in the COURTS

(i.e. say the "MAGIC WORDS" for justice)

(i.e. put the "MAGIC WORDS" on " MAGIC PAPER ")?

4) Are theses laws CONSTITUTIONAL, If these laws are not EQUALLY apply to ALL (STATE, FEDERAL, CORPORATE)?

5) I think (are) ALL of you ARE CORRUPT ?

6) CAN THE PETITIONER GET MORE JUSTICE WITH A $10 BOX OF AMMO, THAN WHAT CAN EVER BE FOUND IN ALL THE CORRUPT UNITED STATES COURT ROOMS.?
Reply to this comment
by j-whitman November 1, 2006 8:33 PM PST
Radiobob,,, I think there are still around 70 ongoing cases on Haliburton & thier subs.
Reply to this comment
by usawatchman November 1, 2006 8:36 PM PST
radiob let me know if you want more

the pile is 5 ft thick
Reply to this comment
by getcentered November 1, 2006 8:37 PM PST
We NEED to vote for Democrats!

Democrats are the only ones who will help us find out the real reasons we went to Iraq.

Republicans will not put our incompetent president in check. They are not going to do their duty. Democrats will.

Republicans everywhere take note; your party is corrupt.

The GOP/Republican/conservative movement has lost ALL sense of what it is to be a Republican.

If your a CEO of GM or something, then you'll probably still vote for a GOP'er, but you are just perpetuating the corruptness and the ignorance. Don't do it!

Complacent Republican fools.

Mr. President and GOP/Republicans everywhere:
You and your talking point robots of a constituency have lost my confidence. My vote is not going to be aligned with the GOP. Your party shows no willingness to show individuality, intelligence, and a freewill.
Mr. President, you and the GOP have failed us. WE WILL REMEMBER.

Vote for a Democrat, please.


Reply to this comment
by jn122736 November 1, 2006 8:42 PM PST
I think the American voters want to see a change in party leadership. We are tired of the secrecy in this administration. They want everything kept secret, except of course the average American%u2019s private lives phone conversations etc.
We might even find out about the secret energy meetings held by Cheney and the oil companies. Remember the %u201Cmistake%u201D that allowed the oil companies to skip paying royalties? We may also get a better report of all the %u201Cmarks%u201D attached to every bill passed by congress. We may even see legislation initiated to require secure Paper trails in every voting precinct. ===
Reply to this comment
by jn122736 November 1, 2006 8:43 PM PST
One poster asked,
Please, can't we just get someone in all of the offices in the U.S. that have common sense, common decency and will actually listen to the people that put them in office? %u201C

Of course we can. But like this old axiom, %u201Cwhen you find yourself in a deep hole the first thing you do is stop digging%u201D we first do what is possible, send a message to all by changing control of congress. It really would be great if we could do it all at once but under the present circumstances we can%u2019t do that no more than we could elect a third party in one election. But when a different party takes control they must be watched closely by everyone to insist on their representing the people as they are elected to do. This can only be accomplished be perseverance and VOTING. We will never have %u201Cgovernment by and for the people%u201D until every one takes their responsibilities seriously. Voting is not just our %u201Cright%u201D it is our responsibility.
Reply to this comment
by jumkey November 1, 2006 8:50 PM PST
I truly believe this will be the most important ballot any of us will cast in our lifetimes. It is not a vote between Republicans and Democrats but a choice of freedom or tyranny.

The Bushists are authoritarians and hate your freedoms. If they prevail the Republic is doomed and the terrorists have won.

Vote for America and against the Bushist cult.

Reply to this comment
by toddmcmechen November 1, 2006 8:50 PM PST
DIEBOLD. The democrats cannot win because the election is rigged.

Karl Rove's surprise is that there have been locally based news reports of early voting touch screen votes flipping for Republicans in in Dallas, San Antonio, Ar,FLA, and MO.
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 November 1, 2006 8:51 PM PST
To USAwatchman without a doubt the good ole boy school is predominant from local elections on up along with neumerous jobs that are handed out.It is not much different though than corporate america.If you know the right people and are on amicable terms with them you can generally get the jobs and subsequent promotions regardless of your skills or lack of skills.That however is by no means a reason to resort to violence or to promote it.One day a viable third party will emerge and will represent the people. Until then we are stuck with a two party system,a failed campaign finace reform and ads that are more bizarre from the truth than anything hollywood could dream up.I am an independent who will vote democrat.The problems that face this country can be solved through civil discourse and a legislative body and judicial system that represents the people.There will always be someone who is not satisfied regardless of what the majority of people want and agree on.Have you ever been in a marriage or long term relationship with someone?if you have then you know what I am saying just amplify it by several hundred thousand people.You will and no goverment will ever completely please everyone.Violence will not remedy the situation,it has been used before and it is currently used in repressive regimes like China.
Reply to this comment
by duffyn November 1, 2006 8:52 PM PST
Oh yeah. I'm with jn122736!!!! We've already voted by mail in and we voted Democrat. I can't wait to show these guys the door!!! For some of them, I think it should be a cell door!! :)
Reply to this comment
by j-whitman November 1, 2006 8:55 PM PST
We are close to ending these Fascist leaders, but not there yet,,, Write your representives.
Reply to this comment
by usawatchman November 1, 2006 8:56 PM PST
radiob,

Do you know why they call it CIVIL COURT ?

Because Gentlemen thought there had to be
a better way to settle disputes other than with VIOLENCE

When the COURTS are CORRUPT
You no longer have a CIVIL SOCIETY

You now have a TYRANNY..
Reply to this comment
by radiob-2009 November 1, 2006 9:00 PM PST
To jn122736 you are correct in there not being a viable third party but who's fault is that? It lies on our shouders for not paying closer attention and not demanding a publicly finaced campaign system and a real campaign finace reform.Until we become the guardians of our own democracy we will continue to get the same old gift in a new package.I am not a pessimist,I know from personal experience that most people would rather have someone else do it for them than they themselves taking the time to attend council meetings and express their dissatifaction for them.Americans have become lazy when it comes to taking responsibility for their own goverment be it local or national.
Reply to this comment
by marcelde November 1, 2006 9:07 PM PST


"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

"Mission Accomplished!"

George Bush's triumphal announcement of "Mission Accomplished" could be viewed as correct if we agree that the mission was to kill thousands of our troops, uncounted civilians, destroy the infrastructure of Iraq, erode any residual respect of the rest of the world for us, and set the stage for a bloody civil war in Iraq.

In accomplishing that "mission" we have already lost over 2,800 U.S. military, diverted critical funds from the War on Terror,and,

TO QUOTE RUMSFELD: %u201CSTILL HAVE NOT LEARNED HISTORY%u2019S LESSONS%u201D

LABELS such as "Defeatist"

or

PLATITUDES like "Cut and Run" are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem.

THE HISTORY LESSON RUMSFELD SHOULD BE LEARNING is the tragic lesson of Vietnam. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. We who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial..
Reply to this comment
by marcelde November 1, 2006 9:07 PM PST


"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

"Mission Accomplished!"

George Bush's triumphal announcement of "Mission Accomplished" could be viewed as correct if we agree that the mission was to kill thousands of our troops, uncounted civilians, destroy the infrastructure of Iraq, erode any residual respect of the rest of the world for us, and set the stage for a bloody civil war in Iraq.

In accomplishing that "mission" we have already lost over 2,800 U.S. military, diverted critical funds from the War on Terror,and,

TO QUOTE RUMSFELD: %u201CSTILL HAVE NOT LEARNED HISTORY%u2019S LESSONS%u201D

LABELS such as "Defeatist"

or

PLATITUDES like "Cut and Run" are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem.

THE HISTORY LESSON RUMSFELD SHOULD BE LEARNING is the tragic lesson of Vietnam. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. We who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial..
Reply to this comment
by marcelde November 1, 2006 9:09 PM PST


"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

"Mission Accomplished!"

George Bush's triumphal announcement of "Mission Accomplished" could be viewed as correct if we agree that the mission was to kill thousands of our troops, uncounted civilians, destroy the infrastructure of Iraq, erode any residual respect of the rest of the world for us, and set the stage for a bloody civil war in Iraq.

In accomplishing that "mission" we have already lost over 2,800 U.S. military, diverted critical funds from the War on Terror,and,

TO QUOTE RUMSFELD: %u201CSTILL HAVE NOT LEARNED HISTORY%u2019S LESSONS%u201D

LABELS such as "Defeatist"

or

PLATITUDES like "Cut and Run" are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem.

THE HISTORY LESSON RUMSFELD SHOULD BE LEARNING is the tragic lesson of Vietnam. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. We who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial..
Reply to this comment
by marcelde November 1, 2006 9:10 PM PST


"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

"Mission Accomplished!"

George Bush's triumphal announcement of "Mission Accomplished" could be viewed as correct if we agree that the mission was to kill thousands of our troops, uncounted civilians, destroy the infrastructure of Iraq, erode any residual respect of the rest of the world for us, and set the stage for a bloody civil war in Iraq.

In accomplishing that "mission" we have already lost over 2,800 U.S. military, diverted critical funds from the War on Terror,and,

TO QUOTE RUMSFELD: %u201CSTILL HAVE NOT LEARNED HISTORY%u2019S LESSONS%u201D

LABELS such as "Defeatist"

or

PLATITUDES like "Cut and Run" are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem.

THE HISTORY LESSON RUMSFELD SHOULD BE LEARNING is the tragic lesson of Vietnam. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. We who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial..
Reply to this comment
by jn122736 November 1, 2006 9:15 PM PST
Radiob, You are absolutely correct and that is, in a broad sense, exactly what I am trying to convey in my previous comment. Another old clichi, or axiom if you will, %u201Cpolitics begins at home%u201D. When you elect the best people locally that will extend all the way to congress, the courts, and the presidency.
Reply to this comment
by jacehoch November 1, 2006 9:33 PM PST
I also vote (D) BUT it does not matter what we vote the debolt machines will decide who will win. Remember the (D) have the largest lead ever with less than a week to go. But just watch, the (R) republicans and debolt will pull of the most amazing win in history. And it will get no coverage.
Reply to this comment
by nynative1340 November 1, 2006 10:06 PM PST
I
- am clean cut, polite and organized.

- am respectful of others.

- put a lot of value on family, safety and security.

- work hard and earn what I get, and often put in far more hours than I am paid for.

- support my community.

- understand the value of education and invested a lot in it for myself and my children, while working not one, but two, jobs.

- am faithful to my religion.

- am an honest, hard working, good citizen.

-- served my country for not only the obligatory six years service, (something most of my Republican friends have not done) but also served an additional 20 years.

-- am a compassionate conservative, always realizing that, when I take my family out to dinner, the people cooking and serving that dinner deserve the tip they are taxed on, even when they make a minor mistake (something my Republican friends don't understand).

-- am not a genius but smart enough to know that a person from an prominent and extremely wealthy family who only got a "C" average at Yale is not qualified to be the leader of the free world.

-- am not a genius but still smart enough to know that starting a war with a country that has not attacked us is NOT a conservative attribute.

-- am a conservative, but not a Republican, an oxymoron most right-wingers don't understand.




Reply to this comment
by nynative1340 November 1, 2006 10:09 PM PST
I am also trying to get my tongue out of my cheek...

Reply to this comment
by marcelde November 1, 2006 10:12 PM PST


"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

"Mission Accomplished!"

George Bush's triumphal announcement of "Mission Accomplished" could be viewed as correct if we agree that the mission was to kill thousands of our troops, uncounted civilians, destroy the infrastructure of Iraq, erode any residual respect of the rest of the world for us, and set the stage for a bloody civil war in Iraq.

In accomplishing that "mission" we have already lost over 2,800 U.S. military, diverted critical funds from the War on Terror,and,

TO QUOTE RUMSFELD: %u201CSTILL HAVE NOT LEARNED HISTORY%u2019S LESSONS%u201D

LABELS such as "Defeatist"

or

PLATITUDES like "Cut and Run" are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem.

THE HISTORY LESSON RUMSFELD SHOULD BE LEARNING is the tragic lesson of Vietnam. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. We who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial..
Reply to this comment
by marcelde November 1, 2006 10:42 PM PST
"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

"Mission Accomplished!"

George Bush's triumphal announcement of "Mission Accomplished" could be viewed as correct if we agree that the mission was to kill thousands of our troops, uncounted civilians, destroy the infrastructure of Iraq, erode any residual respect of the rest of the world for us, and set the stage for a bloody civil war in Iraq.

In accomplishing that "mission" we have already lost over 2,800 U.S. military, diverted critical funds from the War on Terror,and,

TO QUOTE RUMSFELD: %u201CSTILL HAVE NOT LEARNED HISTORY%u2019S LESSONS%u201D

LABELS such as "Defeatist"

or

PLATITUDES like "Cut and Run" are transparent propaganda offered because this administration lacks a workable solution to their self made problem.

THE HISTORY LESSON RUMSFELD SHOULD BE LEARNING is the tragic lesson of Vietnam. Those who suggest we "still have not learned history's lessons" ignore 58,249 soldiers that needlessly died there. That war left Vietnam a Communist country, but our trading partner. We who objected to that war want to Support Our Troops by bringing them out of harm's way. We need to actively resist mindless leaders who suggest that Weapons of Mass Destruction, never found in Iraq, are the cause of 911, and that every culture is eager to embrace our form of democracy. Our soldiers who are dying in Iraq are another "Inconvenient Truth" just as those in 1970 whose names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial..
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad November 1, 2006 10:58 PM PST
STAY FOCUSED ON THE ELECTION,
Reply to this comment
by cbsduke November 1, 2006 11:04 PM PST
This Administration operates on a pseudo moral high ground when they cheat, steals, and lies.

They cheat millions of Americans out of affordable health care. Discriminate against immigrants that are already here in the name of saving jobs when they allow large corporations to build plants in third world countries. They cheat minority groups (***, muslims, blacks, handicap, etc..) of their full legal rights.

They steal from the American people by giving tax cuts to large corporate donors. Giving hundreds of billions of dollars in contracts to their friends and large donors. Give money to their Christian right wing group that are more political than religious.

They lie to the American people by saying they are a group of "uniter not divider" when they demonizes our islamic citizens, our citizens of alternative sexual persuasion, polarizes the democrats and republicans. They lie about the war in Iraq by claiming we need to go to war because Saddam will have a nuke in less than 2 weeks. Lie about helping the poor and the students. Lie about helping seniors when all they did was created a welfare system for pharmaceutical companies. The terrorist might have taken out two our buildings, but this Administration took away our way of life, our rights, and our freedom.

It's about time the legislative branch holds the executive branch accountable.
Reply to this comment
by angryliberal-2009 November 1, 2006 11:23 PM PST
They carry a big lead just like they did in 2004 and 2000.
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by angryliberal-2009 November 1, 2006 11:23 PM PST
VOTES speak louder than words.
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by mh4cbs1 November 2, 2006 12:24 AM PST
LOVE AMERICA ??

Vote to STOP the BUSH:

LIES
FEAR
HATE
WAR
DISASTER
MIDDLE CLASS PLUNDER
LUNACY

ENOUGH is ENOUGH !!!!
VOTE to STOP this BUSH NEOCON INSANITY!

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by j-whitman November 2, 2006 12:34 AM PST
We are getting closer to ending this reign of fascism,, 6 years is enough.
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by Atlantic2752 November 2, 2006 12:37 AM PST
The Republicans have no clue
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by peterbaldwin-2009 November 2, 2006 12:43 AM PST
dailykos.com has new graphs on Dem tsunami. The Kerry brouhaha will hurt the Republicans, as Bush looks petty and small. Chickenhawk attacks on a war hero can only further alienate voters, who are much wiser this cycle. Repubs are toast.
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by arthurcl1 November 2, 2006 1:00 AM PST
But look at what Bush has done for us, what he won't talk about except bashing Purple Heart Kerry like spending billions on a failed policy in Irag where no weapons of mass destruction were found. Went over the UN to go it alone and now recently millions of dollars of our taxpayer money for weapons for their armed forces was ripped off from under our noses by their corrupt government. No reconstruction going on for the people, civil war is going on, and the Cleric is back to controlling Sadar City? Told us to get out of there. We just lost 100 brave men last month alone to their kamakaize attack tactics! What a mess Bush has us in. It's another Vietnam. We will never be able to get out of there thanks to those guys!
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by arthurcl1 November 2, 2006 1:06 AM PST
Well because of Kerry bringing the Iraq issue to the front headlines to remind the American People about it Democrats hold a 52-34 percent lead over Republicans one week before the midterm elections, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll. Women and independents heavily favor the Democrats, while Iraq remains the campaign's top issue. Bush's free reign to do whatever he wants and Congress and Senate greenlighting everything for him will change come election day.
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by CBSTV November 2, 2006 1:35 AM PST
I tend to distrust polls, especially in this age of cell phones and caller I.D.

Also note that during the 2004 election, exit polls showed Senator Kerry as the victor in Ohio, but the final results certified by the Secretary of State presented a different outcome.
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by ccxsen-2009 November 2, 2006 1:40 AM PST
For six long, difficult and damaging years, the Republican fiasco has been playing at theatre near you. We went from a budget surplus and relative political tranquility to the most massive deficit in history and a cooked up war that cannot be won at the expense of the destruction of a society under false pretenses and the cost of thousands of American lives. The country is as divided as it was during the civil war, and the reason is clear. Bush does not know anything about leadership and governing from the center. Instead, like a high school football player who stole a victory from a homey set of referees, he runs up the score by cramming his selfish, cowboy-mentality policies down the throat of the country. Then he refuses to acknowledge that he makes errors, and support his sock puppet cronies despite their unbelievable ineffectiveness and incompetence. From his sophmoric tax giveaway to the Iraq war, from the New Orleans debacle to his failed attempt at "reforming"social security at the expense of those who need it (a ploy to enrich his friends on wall street, this buffoon and his party have been the most unfortunate tragedy in the history of America. Let's undo it next week and good riddance to bad rubbish.
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by barnowl14 November 2, 2006 1:53 AM PST
We should remember that at least 30 billion dollars in Veterans Administration cuts came from this Republican administration and Congress

Ain't it amazing how they show respect and support for our "troops"? Many times more than the 3000 already dead will return home gravely wounded in body and mind, and the GOP wants to remain with them to give them all the support they need. (Body armor sold separately.)

As for the feelings of our active servicemen and women, it occurs to me that none of them would have had to deal with any of this had it not been called to their attention by.....Tony Snow and the Bush Admin in hot pursuit of their straw man. We wouldn't have heard of it it weren't for the planted question at his press conference.

I'm celebrating the massive defeat of the GOP (18 points!) next Tuesday in front of the TV with the same friends I was with on that ugly night two years ago when Ohio was stolen by Blackwell and Co. Our motto is an old one, first uttered by Carindal Richilieu. "It is not enough to succeed,others must be seen to fail."
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by frankly6 November 2, 2006 2:04 AM PST
Two federal agencies are investigating whether the Bush administration tried to block government scientists from speaking freely about global warming and censor their research, a senator said Wednesday.
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by marcelde November 2, 2006 2:21 AM PST
HERE FOLLOWS PART OF ONE TYPICAL UNTHINKING POST:


(%u201CIraq should be carpet bombed%u201D) ==

THIS POSTER, AND THEIR POST ABOVE, IS AN EMBARASSMENT TO ANY INTELLIGENT PERSON. THERE IS NO POINT IN DIGNIFYING SUCH IDIOCY BY TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO SUCH NON-THINKING PEOPLE WHY THEIR POST IS IDIOTIC. THEY WOULDN%u2019T UNDERSTAND.

NOTICE HOW EASY IT IS TO SEPARATE THESE MISADMINISTRATION ZEALOTS BY READING ONLY THE FIRST FEW WORDS OF THEIR POSTS.

THEY ONLY SPOUT LABELS AND PLATITUDES. INSTEAD OF GIVING ANY KIND OF RATIONALE TO JUSTIFY THEIR HATRED, THEY SAY THAT MORE WAR MAKES PEACE.

WE ARE WASTING OUR TIME IN CONFRONTING SUCH IDIOTS WITH ANY REASONED RESPONSE. LIKE BUSH, THEIR MINES (sic) ARE MADE UP. DON%u2019T CONFUSE THEM WITH FACTS. BUSH WOULD ACTUALLY HELP THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BY DROPPING BOTH CHENEY AND RUMSFELD BUT HE SAYS, %u201CI AM THE DECIDER%u201D. WHEN HE WANTS THE ADVICE OF HIS GENERALS, HE GIVES IT TO THEM.

IT WOULD BE BEST, IN MY VIEW, FOR US TO APPEAL TO THE TRUE %u201CINDEPENDENTS%u201D WHO ARE PERHAPS SWAYED BY THE FEAR OF TERRORISM. THEY WILL UNDERSTAND A REASONED ARGUMENT, E.G. ABOUT WHY WE AND OUR MILITARY WOULD BE SAFER, BY USING OUR SOLDIERS AND THE BILLIONS WASTED ON HALIBURTON IN IRAQ, TO CHECK INCOMING SHIPS FOR WMD THAN WE ARE HAVING THEM DIE IN IRAQ WHEN %u201CVICTORY%u201D IS A MEANINGLESS TERM; WHERE WE DON%u2019T KNOW WHETHER TO FIGHT THE SUNNIS, THE SHIITES, OR THE DEMOCRATS.
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by radiob-2009 November 2, 2006 4:28 AM PST
To USAwatchman even if I agreed with you that we know have tyranny,there are still peacefull solutions.You obviously were not around in the sixties and early seventies.We had massive protest that were peaceful,they brought about the civil rights,enhanced womens positions and help bring an end to the Vietnam war in which I served.If there is a clear conceptual idea that you have then organize and articulate it through protest with others remain peacefull.Also there are forms such as this http://www.articlesofimpeachment.net/
that you can obtain by this site http://beingism.org/cgi-bin/DIY.cgi
that can be used on several levels of goverment.I am not an attorney and do not know if these can be used on judges.Contact the ACLU and find out but by all means keep your demands peacefull.If you wish to state them here in a concise and articulate manner you may find like minded individuals that will assist you in bringing about a solution to your grievance.As of know I am not sure exactly what it is .You mention the courts but are not specific.You have to be specific and articulate your position in a coherent articulated manner so that others here can understand what your specific demands are.Post them and remember to keep violence out of the solution,you may find others that will assist you.
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by forabluefla November 2, 2006 6:29 AM PST
The gap widens...and the only way the NEOCONS can win this time is to steal the election again...

to snflwr4real...you're going to be late for school..and you can't afford to be missing classes...I know kindergarten can be tough..just don't play with sharp objects without proper adult supervision...enjoy recess and make sure and take advantage of nap period...trust me...you'll feel lots better

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by cowboy2love-2009 November 2, 2006 8:36 AM PST
hello i am glad to say i am a republician, who is sick of this bush administration. and i will be voting for a demorcrate. if you have not seen this www site please go and check it out. imagine what its going to be like in another 4 or 5 years under the republician control if they do win again. we tax payers are going to be paying for this war. with evething we make. spread the news check out this www site.
http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182
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by observantx November 2, 2006 8:38 AM PST
To snflwr4real.

Knock off the all caps repeated postings. You are looking like a total nut and NOT helping your point of view.

Let's maintain some courtesy here.

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