CBS Poll: Speech Has Up Side For Bush

80% Of Speech-Watchers Generally Approve Of Bush Proposals

(CBS)  Americans who watched President Bush's State of the Union Address generally approve of the proposals he outlined, but few think he will be able to accomplish the goals he set out, according to a CBS News Poll conducted online by Knowledge Networks immediately after the speech. In addition, the president improved his image among speech-watchers and made gains on Iraq and immigration.

Eight in ten speech-watchers approve of the proposals Mr. Bush made in his speech – typical of the high support a president receives among those who choose to watch this message. Just about as many viewers in 2005 and 2006 said they approved of the proposals he made then.

The same individuals were interviewed both before and immediately after the speech – and those who watched the speech were more supportive of the president beforehand than Americans overall.

Viewers are doubtful President Bush will be able to accomplish all the goals he set out in his speech. Just 32% say he will.

As expected, Republicans who watched the speech are more likely than Democrats to approve of the proposals laid out in the Bush speech. In addition, 52% of Republican viewers think the president will be able to accomplish his goals, while 84% of Democratic viewers do not think he will.

This was the first State of the Union address that President Bush delivered before a Congress controlled by Democrats. The president talked a lot about cooperation with Congress, saying: "We can work through our differences, and achieve big things for the American people." 41% of speech-watchers think the president and Congress will be able to work together to deal with the country's problems. This is up 8 points from what the same individuals said before the speech.

On Congress' reaction to the speech, speech-watchers think most members of Congress approved of the proposals he talked about. The speech was interrupted by applause 61 times, including 24 times when nearly all members gave him a standing ovation.

81% of Americans who watched thought Mr. Bush struck the right balance between Iraq and domestic issues in his speech.

In discussing Iraq, the president said "it is still within our power to shape the outcome of this battle. So let us find our resolve, and turn events toward victory." A slim majority of speech-watchers – 52% - favor sending an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq. This is an improvement from before the speech when just 43% of the same people supported sending more troops.

Nearly six in 10 speech-watchers do think the U.S. will ultimately succeed in Iraq. 58% say it is at least somewhat likely the U.S. will succeed there, but 41% think success is not likely.

President Bush discussed an energy plan which included a call for a 20% reduction in gasoline consumption by 2017. Watchers of the speech seem to like what the president had to say: 67% think he will make the right decisions when it comes to energy conservation and consumption. Immediately after last year's State of the Union address, reactions were similar.

The president made his biggest gain on the issue of immigration. After the speech, 56% of viewers said they approve of the President's handling of immigration, while 44% disapprove. Before the speech, just 31% approved. In his speech, Mr. Bush continued to call for a temporary guest worker program for illegal immigrants. He made gains among both Democrats and Republicans on the issue of immigration.

Last week, State of the Union speech-watchers were somewhat divided in their opinions on whether the president is a strong leader and fewer than half – 47% - found him trustworthy. In addition, a clear majority said President Bush did not share their priorities for the country.

The president's image improved among these viewers following the speech. Fifty-seven percent of speech-watchers say President Bush has strong qualities of leadership, and 54% think he is trustworthy. On sharing their priorities, 53% of viewers say he does; up from 38% last week.

Americans who watched the speech were more likely to approve of the overall job President Bush is doing as president than Americans overall. 43% of speech viewers said they approved of the job President Bush is doing heading into the speech, compared to 28% of all Americans in the latest CBS News Poll.


This CBS News Poll was conducted online by Knowledge Networks among a nationwide random sample of 525 State of the Union viewers. Knowledge Networks, a Silicon Valley company, conducted the poll among a sample of adult members of its household panel who said in recent days that they intended to watch the speech.

The Knowledge Networks panel is a nationally representative sample given access to the Internet via Web TV. This is a scientifically representative poll of viewers' reaction to the speech. The margin of sampling error could be plus or minus 4 percentage points for the entire sample of speech-watchers.

[jeannec3]

Let me start out with...I didn't vote for Bush. So I'm not a lover or hater of Bush. I do have to say that we DO vote in this country of ours. And Bush won the right to be President. And whoever wins is only in there for four years,unless he runs for a second term and wins again. I think it's a disgrace how people and Gov. people and the news from our own country puts down our president ( no matter who it is ). How can we expect other countries to show respect for our presidents ( that WE CHOOSE ! ) if WE are not showing respect and standing behind him ourselves !!!! You know that if you don't like this president,in four years you will have a chance to choose a new one ! And if you don't vote and are just off to other countries or news rooms to complain,shame on you ! We need to stand behind a our president. By not doing so only makes US the laughing stock in the world !!! THINK about IT !!! The other world leaders are not CHOOSEN like ours are. So to openly and constantly through him term putting him down and disrespecting him does not make him look strong to the other world leaders ! I'm not saying that you have to LIKE what he is doing and we are free to say so. But to not stand behind him makes him look weak to other world leaders. So there for they feel they can walk all over us !

[karlimhof]

jeannec3

I'd agree with you if he hadn't taken us to war on a lie - and ignored the US constitution. It a right and a duty to denounce him.

[migrainegram]

jeannec3

Sorry, but he deceived the American people and Congress, he manipulated the events of 9/11, he forgot Osama-Been-Forgotten (which was why we went into Afghanistan in the first place), and he has ruled like King George instead of leading like a President. Furthermore, he has ignored requested input -- especially form those who dare to disagree with him. Why? Because he is unable to step up to the plate and admit he made a huge error in judgement.


He is the only one who is responsible for painting this country into a corner. It's his war and he is the only one who owns it.

[skyk-2009]

jeannec3. So what you are saying is it's okay to outright LIE and to do what Bush did to be elected? He was standing in front of us during the last election telling us to "Stay the Course" and that we were WINNING! He stood there and belittled EVERY American who raised issues with what he was telling people and all the while he was allowing the most simple minded and Mentally Challenged amoung us to BELIEVE Iraq was involved in the Attack on us. That's just NOT deserving of our support, that's something we should all be asking him to resign for.

[knyghtwolf]

People are disrespecting bush because it brought down upon itself. bush does not represent the American People, bush is for bush and bush inc. nothing more, nothing less. it was ASSIGNED the presidency the first term, and considering what we had to choose from in the second election....well that goes without saying. First of all before we elect a leader to lead us, we need to get our act together to pick a leader, not based on how rich, powerful, or how many stupid cowboy movies they made or how many babies they kiss or who's butt they kiss. A lot of this is OUR fault because WE, THE PEOPLE, sit back and do nothing more than complain. If all the people would get off their computers and form an idea of EXACTLY what WE, THE PEOPLE, want, it might get better results. Instead of fighting amongst ourselves, as this is the ULTIMATE goal of this and other opinon sites, JOIN TOGETHER and VOICE IT AS ONE.

[karlimhof]

jeannec3

I really do understand where you're coming from but there must be ACCOUNTABILITY. There are too many dead people involved - dead for a lie. What can be worse then that? No HONOR, no SHAME.

[kayannl]

Who are the American's that supposedly watched the president's speech a few old people. I have been to four news sights including this one and all the votes are against the speech, giving it poor ratings and saying we should pullout.

[kayannl]

Who are the American's that supposedly watched the president's speech a few old people. I have been to four news sights including this one and all the votes are against the speech, giving it poor ratings and saying we should pullout.

[olebd]

I vote they change the format of these speeches and do away with all the mind-numbing clapping every five seconds!! Please, do your clapping AFTER the entire speech.

[jeannec3]

The war was started by him on his FIRST term. If you thought it was a lie ' THEN ' then it's OUR fault he was voted in again !!!! If you didn't believe him ' THEN ' WHY would he be voted in AGAIN !? Are you saying that your brain turned to mush by the time that it was time to vote again, that this country voted him in AGAIN !? I would much rather have the fight going on over there then here !! They were already being trained over there and other places to find even MORE ways to kill us !! I don't agree with everything about the war. But if we don't stand strong with who we pick as a President,then the other world leaders are going to be a lot stronger then we are ! Do we really want other world leaders teeming together and taking over our country because we don't like who WE picked as a President and won't stay strong behind him !? Face it. There is NO president that EVERYONE is going to agree with. But we need to stand strong with WHOEVER we pick. In a few years you'll get to pick another. And God knows he'll be picked apart by everyone too. No wonder we are a joke to other world leaders. We were once thought of as brave and strong,but now we are looking like we are scared and weak.

[dallison7]

kayanni

A hugh majority of the people who watch STOU speeches are those members of the president's own party. Factoring in that reality, the numbers aren't so good are they?

[huskerarmy]

"But we need to stand strong with WHOEVER we pick."

jeannec3,
GOPers spent millions of our tax dollars to impeach Bill Clinton over a stain on a blue dress and registered GOPers stood firmly behind them while they did it.

"Are you saying that your brain turned to mush by the time that it was time to vote again, that this country voted him in AGAIN !?"
What about the American people trusting our president not to lie to us don't you understand?

"I would much rather have the fight going on over there then here !!"
So the lives of Iraqi children ar less valuable in your "Christian, family values" judgement? This shallow cliche should be banned forever.

"We were once thought of as brave and strong,but now we are looking like we are scared and weak."
Brave and strong behind a fools errand proves nothing. Americans will defend this nation when called upon. If you were truely paying attention, you'd understand that, that's not what is happening in Iraq.

[bluestardad]

It is common knowledge that Iraqi units are infiltrated by all types of Insurgents, Terrorist, and Execution Death Squads members of Both Religions. Those people who support this Surge of Troops in Iraq are forcing American Soldiers to sleep with the enemy in small units exposing them to undue kidnap threat. Americans soldiers who are captured by these enemies are without mercy, tortured and mutilated beyond recognition by their captors. Still our political leadership are planning to send these Brave Men and Women in to this environment. If American proceeds with this deployment and breaks down small American Units to live and work with these Iraqi Death Squad Units our troops will be kidnapped and handed over to such beheadings, torture and captivity as has never been seen before on Cable, Internet, and National Television. If you support this surge in troops and the tactics it brings you are responsible for every one of these deaths.

[oleander8]

"The war was started by him on his FIRST term. If you thought it was a lie ' THEN ' then it's OUR fault he was voted in again !!!! If you didn't believe him ' THEN ' WHY would he be voted in AGAIN !? "
Posted by jeannec3 at 07:36 AM : Jan 24, 2007

He wasn't "voted" in the first time - he was appointed. And it was manipulation and dirty-tricks that put him for the second term.

Don't blame the 50% of the population that DIDN'T vote for him when you say "it's OUR fault"...that was no landslide.

[geneonlbk]

Fool me once
Fool me twice

[exusmcsgt]

"Fifty-seven percent of speech-watchers say President Bush has strong qualities of leadership, and 54% think he is trustworthy."

Obviously, a majority of Americans place more stock in what one says as opposed to what one does.

[perception5]

I'm not surprised that most Americans liked what our President said. It's only when our corrupt liberal press censors, distorts, and misrepresents what our President saids that Americans become depressed and angry at him.

[huskerarmy]

"He wasn't "voted" in the first time - he was appointed."

Thanks for reminding me of that oleander8.

[meboard]

perception5 , remember when the great communicator said, "Our enemies never stop thinking of ways to harm our country and our people...and neither do we!" That was good one!

[huskerarmy]

"I'm not surprised that most Americans liked what our President said."

Don't get all gitty now preceptions. This is "...typical of the high support a president receives among those who choose to watch this message. Just about as many viewers in 2005 and 2006 said they approved of the proposals he made then." The proof is in the pudding and Bush has well demonstrated that there is nothing behind the words. After six years of incompetent bumbling, it's not likely that our frat boy president will suddenly gain a significant number of brain cells.

[erichsh]

"perception5" stole my thunder. It's very rare when you get to hear Bush speak unfiltered, without the media cutting him down, twisting his words, or reporting only what they want you to know.

[huskerarmy]

"It's only when our corrupt liberal press censors, distorts, and misrepresents what our President saids that Americans become depressed and angry at him."

Once again the stupid American public is manipulated by the evil press. Funny, when the Supreme Court appointed frat boy president, you GOPers proclaimed a mandate from the wise American voters...

[houser123]

I am one of GW's biggest critics, but I do have to give him some credit for his speech last night. He laid out some plans that I can support but these plans will never get funded or implemented. He talks a good game at times, but is unable to deliver, that is unless it is tax cuts for the wealthiest americans. As to the situation in Iraq, he has been wrong from day one and contimues to be wrong today.Just remember folks, 104 weeks from yesterday we get to replace him. Let the countdown begin.

[huskerarmy]

"It's very rare when you get to hear Bush speak unfiltered..."

Meanwhile back in the real world it's exactly his very own words that make so many of us dislike him as we struggle to put food on our families.

[huskerarmy]

"Entirely expected though, Democrats do not watch republican presidential addresses, and vice versa for Republicans with Democratic presidents."

tru_american,
Perhaps the numbers should be reported as "eight in ten of those who had the stomach to watch..."

[huskerarmy]

"President Bush's energy plan includes a proposed 20% reduction in gas..."

To do this he will have to open his pie hole significantly less often.

[annette999]

I will agree that the media(liberal) do twist the President word. I am getting sicjk and tired of that too.

[erichsh]

So huskerarmy, which part of the American economy don't you like? The record low unemployment? 3+ years of consecutive growth? Continued low inflation? The stock market at an all-time high? I might have more respect for you and your opinions if you were to refrain from calling Republicans "stupid" and our president "frat boy". Perhaps you could apply the same term to Kerry, no? But as usual, liberals who so pride themselves on their support for "diversity" and "inclusion" seem to be very picky as to which people and points of view fit within those definitions.

[olebd]

I didn't hear anything new concerning his energy plan. It was the same old jargon the last six times he cared to mention it during his pep rallies.

The year 2017 is the new target for these modern day "breakthroughs" to come on line. How about NOW Dubs? It may be too little too late by tomorrow.

[jeannec3]

Just a thought. Remember how other countries were weakened by not staying strong behind thier presidents. Remember how easy it was for Hitler to just march right in and take the countries over. I'm not saying that we have to agree with our president,but what I am saying is stay strong with him. Soon we'll be voting for a new one for everyone to pick apart. Lets get real people,there IS no perfect president ! But to continuely put him down in and out of our country makes us look like a weak country. If we look like a joke whose to say other world leader won't get together and take over our country. Sure you might laugh about that now. But Hitler got the last laugh when he took over those countries. Yeah,we saved them. But if we are a joke to the other countries,do you really think they would save us !? Wars are not some game you play on TV and just quit when you want. It takes time to win and help the weak rebuild.

[xccoach]

What is the difference between the media "twisting" his words and dubya twisting the facts?

Oh yeah, one is liberal bias and the other is lying.

[olebd]

Iraqis have had plenty of time, training, resources, etc. to pick themselves up and stand on their own.

No matter how long we stay or how soon we leave, they WILL go after each other.

[erichsh]

OK liberals, lay it out here and now all of "dubya"'s lies. Back it up and prove it. Remember the definition of a "lie" is to knowingly and deliberately say something, when at the time you say it, you know it is wrong. So before you all scream about WMD and Iraq, explain why, if Bush was lying, so many other US and world leaders agreed at the time about WMD. If you think he singlehandedly hoodwinked the entire world, I hope you have the evidence to back it up. If you really think this is all about oil, prove that too. And if Bush brought down the WTC (yeah, a lot of you really do believe this), I'd like to see the evidence. Maybe we should put Bush on trial for war crimes, like you guys want, like those *** neocons did to Clinton. Then the onus would be on you to come up with the evidence to convict. After all, it was in a court of law that Clinton was proven, beyond all doubt, to have lied.

[fleshmonger6]

Jennec3,

Your form of apathy, and that is what it is, is exactly the wrong kind of approach to the kind of leadership represented by our current president. I mean no disrespect when I say this but you need to take a moment to consider the way the rest of the world thinks about the average American if, as it appears to them, that we will do nothing when confronted with the grossest forms of incompetence or deviousness which the current president seems to excel in. I have friends all over the world and they, without fail, wonder more about the us, the average citizen, than they do about President Bush. Because the documents that this country were founded upon place a higher burden on ensuring proper leadership on the citizen than they do those in government and my friends are more familiar with their contents than most Americans.

[grumpas]

erichsh: If you were the genius you seem to think you are then you ought to know the following! Low unemployment doesn't do a thing for the person who is working a minium wage job and can't make both ends meet due to the high cost of living! Doesn't have a dime in health care insurance! Can't pay the rent or bills! The other things you mention only help the rich too! But, then again you are the typical Robber Baron Republican so what can one expect? All for the rich and screw the working person! WHEN YOUR PRESIDENT DOES SOMETHING TO DESERVE A LITTLE RESPECT I WILL GLADLY GIVE IT TO HIM! BUT NOT UNTIL THEN! We have only become a weak country from his mismanagement! But, I have faith we will raise again when we get a leader who knows what the "f..." he is doing! Maybe you believe in following the sheep over a cliff, but I don't!!!!!

[grumpas]

erichsh: The evidence of his lies has been under your nose for years now! All people like you have ever had to do is look! It's been proven time and time again! If you choose to stick your head in the sand and not believe it don't blame the rest of us!

[Razzl]

This is a man who has never made a speech that was not solely for effect--saying what people might want to hear, then moving on without making any movement toward carrying out his own suggestions. Remember AIDS? Genocide in Africa? Social Security?

We owe it to the dignity of the office to give him a chance to prove he will act on his suggestions, but given his history that time cannot be long--since stalling and deflection are part of the Republican repertoire. I would say he has one week to show he plans to actually do anything, and if no action appears, we can safely ignore the speech as politics and move on...

[shingles1]

I've never been a fan of the "Bush Lies" meme. Still...if it's a list of "misleading" or "inaccurate" statements you want go to BushLies.net which has a side by side comparison w/the facts.

[karlimhof]

erichsh - you asked for it

Before Mr. Bush was elected, he said nation-building was wrong for America.

Now he says it is vital.

He said he would never put U.S. troops under foreign control.

Last night he promised to embed them in Iraqi units.

He told us about WMD.

Mobile labs.

Secret sources.

Aluminum tubes.

Yellow-cake.

He has told us the war is necessary:

Because Saddam was a material threat.

Because of 9/11.

Because of Osama Bin Laden. Al-Qaida. Terrorism in general.

To liberate Iraq. To spread freedom. To spread Democracy. To prevent terrorism by gas price increases.

Because this was a guy who tried to kill his dad.

He sent in fewer troops than the generals told him to. He ordered the Iraqi army disbanded and the Iraqi government %u201Cde-Baathified.%u201D

He short-changed Iraqi training. He neglected to plan for widespread looting. He did not anticipate sectarian violence.

He sent in troops without life-saving equipment. He gave jobs to foreign contractors, and not Iraqis. He staffed U.S. positions there, based on partisanship, not professionalism.

He and his government told us: America had prevailed, mission accomplished, the resistance was in its last throes.

He has insisted more troops were not necessary. He has now insisted more troops are necessary.

He has insisted it%u2019s up to the generals, and then removed some of the generals who said more troops would not be necessary.

[karlimhof]

erichsh

He has assured us: We would be greeted as liberators %u2014 with flowers;

As they stood up, we would stand down. We would stay the course; we were never about %u201Cstay the course.%u201D

We would never have to go door-to-door in Baghdad. And, last night, that to gain Iraqis%u2019 trust, we would go door-to-door in Baghdad.

He told us the enemy was al-Qaida, foreign fighters, terrorists, Baathists, and now Iran and Syria.

He told us the war would pay for itself. It would cost $1.7 billion. $100 billion. $400 billion. Half a trillion. Last night%u2019s speech alone cost another $6 billion.

And after all of that, now it is his credibility versus that of generals, diplomats, allies, Democrats, Republicans, the Iraq Study Group, past presidents, voters last November and the majority of the American people.

[Darth Johnny]

The middle-East will dominate U.S. government regardless of what W. or any other President says. The Middle-East will allways become the defacto first priority, religating every other issue to a "back burner".

[getserious1]

Ya know folks, if you DIDN'T watch the speach (or read the complete text), how can you comment on it??
I prefer to listen to an actual source, then to get my news from opinionated second hand news reports!
Nothing like the ignorant telling the rest of us what he meant and what he said, when they didn't even listen to his words!
This is why none of you right or left extremist have any relevance.

[getserious1]

Don't pay any attention to the accusers that say Bush lied. They can't prove it. They don't KNOW he lied, they just BELIEVE he lied. If the Dems could PROVE it, they would have started the impeachment process already. So stop spreading YOUR LIES !

[karlimhof]

getserious1

WHERE have you been? Alaska? Did you listen to Powell at the UN? He told the world we have proof of WMD/bio/Chem , the whole lot and Tenent and Negroponte sat right behind nodding the whole. Not to mention all the fabricated intel produced at the "Office of Special Plans" inside the DOD, run by Cheney/rumsfeld lackies Feith/Wolfowitz!
Come on now, get serious.

[one_american]

"Viewers are doubtful President Bush will be able to accomplish all the goals he set out in his speech" because they know that the President has to now deal with the OBSTRUCTIONIST DEMOCRATS to get anything done.

And everyone knows that the majority of Democrats don't want to work with Republicans. It's just "their way" to block what needs to be done.

But the President will achieve the goals anyway.

[getagrip54]

getserious1 said "I prefer to listen to an actual source, then to get my news from opinionated second hand news reports!"

So why are you reading the comments section and posting if you think our opinions are meaningless? Either contribute to the discussion or get lost! If you think Bush told the truth give examples and enter into the debate.

[drinuk]

getserious1, Do me and those on here a favour and get lost. Two men who did Not lie were Hans Blix and Dr David Kelly. They said that there were NO WMD's, BUSH AND BLAIR stated that we had twenty four hours. They are proven liars, albeit they are now lying again accusing their respective advisors. Get real you republican donkey

[inventagod]

Translation: Quack-limp-quack-limp...

[i-tack]

The topic of the article is quite simple. Tell people what you're doing or they will make up something about what you're doing.

Bush talks about what he wants to do and that is generally better than not, so a portion of America is temporarily appeased. Sounds like human nature more than a political upswing.

What we should all really want is results. I've heard us talk about energy policy since I was a child, when are we going to get serious about it?

[superdem]

Anyone who believes anything Bush says is like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football one more time. How many times do you need to get burned before you learn ? BushWorld doesn't exist ! These people deny science, which is based on repeatable cause and effect relationships. They are superstitious, magical thinkers who have no interest in the real world.