News & Politics - Poll: Clinton outperformed Bush

Lexis · 05-13-2006, 05:12 AM

Quote:

In a new poll comparing President Bush's job performance with that of his predecessor, a strong majority of respondents said President Clinton outperformed Bush on a host of issues.

The poll of 1,021 adult Americans was conducted May 5-7 by Opinion Research Corp. for CNN. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Respondents favored Clinton by greater than 2-to-1 margins when asked who did a better job at handling the economy (63 percent Clinton, 26 percent Bush) and solving the problems of ordinary Americans (62 percent Clinton, 25 percent Bush). (Watch whether Americans are getting nostalgic for the Clinton era -- 1:57)

On foreign affairs, the margin was 56 percent to 32 percent in Clinton's favor; on taxes, it was 51 percent to 35 percent for Clinton; and on handling natural disasters, it was 51 percent to 30 percent, also favoring Clinton.

Moreover, 59 percent said Bush has done more to divide the country, while only 27 percent said Clinton had.

When asked which man was more honest as president, poll respondents were more evenly divided, with the numbers -- 46 percent Clinton to 41 percent Bush -- falling within the poll's margin of error. The same was true for a question on handling national security: 46 percent said Clinton performed better; 42 percent picked Bush.

Clinton was impeached in 1998 over testimony he gave in a deposition about an extramarital sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinksy. He was later aquitted by the Senate.

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS...cnn_topstories

Aside from the Lewinsky mess, I'm struggling to see what he did to bring his untrustworthy score down to near Bush's. What's that bumper sticker? "When Clinton lied, no one died."

jalapeno_wildchild · 05-13-2006, 09:19 AM

interesting. i don't pay much attention to that sort of thing so it doesn't matter to me but its interesting nonetheless.

Lorna · 05-13-2006, 09:57 AM

I dont know about all the internal issues, but from a outsiders view, I much prefer everything Clinton did during his time in power than Bush has. I am just waiting for 2008, when he will finally be out of there, it can't come fast enough!

Ms Carolyn · 05-14-2006, 11:43 AM

Well, I'm an insider, and I'm with you, Lorna. I would do anything if we could have elected Clinton for a third term -- and don't kid yourself, anybody, Lewinsky or no Lewinsky, if it weren't for term limits the man would still be in the White House.

vc318 · 05-15-2006, 05:32 PM

I think this country was so much happier when Clinton was in office. I can't wait for 2008 to come so this idiot can be out of here!

Dalz · 05-15-2006, 09:22 PM

I'm not surprised. Clinton was one of the best president's US has ever had. He brought a lot of good things to the country. It's a shame he couldn't have stayed on longer.

86amanda86 · 05-15-2006, 11:50 PM

I have to wonder were excatly the people in the country who took part in this poll live. Since it was conducted by CNN, I highly doubt that the calls were evenly spread across the country.

Lexis · 05-15-2006, 11:54 PM

Why do you doubt that? Opinion Research Corp were the company that did the actual calling I understand, CNN just comissioned.

I'm not actually that shocked by the results, especially considering the recent Bush approval polls.

86amanda86 · 05-16-2006, 12:05 AM

I doubt it because if you look across America, regions are split in opinions. Obviously if you go to California, you are going to have a strong Anti-Bush rating, but if you go to Utah or To Montana, places where people farm and hunt, you are going to have a Pro-Bush rating. I just have to wonder where the polls and ratings are tested, because I don't know very many farmers who call in, type in, or do anything to volenteer their opinions, whereas every liberal in every city is happy to register their discontent loudly. I just don't think the Bush's "ratings" would be so low if you went door to door across the Nation.

Ms Carolyn · 05-16-2006, 07:05 AM

You know, I come from a very rural background, and almost all my people farm and hunt. But we're not cut off from the rest of the world, we've got eyes, we can read, and we're pretty much fed up with Dubya and his idiocy. So I suspect those polling numbers are very spot on!

TokyoNiGHTS · 05-16-2006, 08:22 AM

Yah I think you're starting to see people tire of Bush. For awhile people would defend him no matter what, but now you're slowly starting to see people that once supported him slowly back away. Especially with the elections upcoming, it seems alot of Republicans don't want to be associated with Bush because of how much of America sees him in a negative way. That's not to say there aren't some that still support him strongly, but its not as many as it was around the elections and shortly after.

Lexis · 05-16-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86amanda86

I doubt it because if you look across America, regions are split in opinions. Obviously if you go to California, you are going to have a strong Anti-Bush rating, but if you go to Utah or To Montana, places where people farm and hunt, you are going to have a Pro-Bush rating. I just have to wonder where the polls and ratings are tested, because I don't know very many farmers who call in, type in, or do anything to volenteer their opinions, whereas every liberal in every city is happy to register their discontent loudly. I just don't think the Bush's "ratings" would be so low if you went door to door across the Nation.

If a company that was paid big bucks to conduct polls didn't regional differences into account, they wouldn't get hired. I don't think its some guy with a NYC phone book making the calls.

As I mentioned, polls conducted on behalf of media organisations such as Fox and CNN are showing broadly similar results when people are asked how they feel about Bush's leadership. These results seem consistent with the mood of the others polled.

General Maximus · 05-16-2006, 05:35 PM

I rather agree with Amanda. Plus, only 1000 people polled? That holds 0 weight with me.

I don't like either president, but I have done ALOT better with Bush than with Clinton. I don't think either man's job performance has had an affect on my daily life.

86amanda86 · 05-17-2006, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms Carolyn

You know, I come from a very rural background, and almost all my people farm and hunt. But we're not cut off from the rest of the world, we've got eyes, we can read, and we're pretty much fed up with Dubya and his idiocy. So I suspect those polling numbers are very spot on!

I'm not accusing anyone of being ignorant or naive, I mean, I grew up in a farming town in the middle of colorado, I'm just saying that I think that a lot of conservative voices aren't heard because they aren't as loud as some liberal voices.

That said, I have to say that I am pretty damn hacked at Bush after his idiotic speach on border control last night. I'm not saying that either the public or I is in love with Bush, I'm just saying that I don't put much stock in polls or rating, because I don't think they are cunducted accurately. Partly because peoples' opinions change constantly, and partly because I just don't think there is any way to get an accurate measure.

Lexis · 05-17-2006, 05:30 AM

LOL, you're right to be generally suspicious of polls. Remember those exit polls that were saying Kerry was winning the election in 04?


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