<http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-09-18-bush-poll_x.htm>
Poll finds rebound in Bush approval Updated 9/19/2006 10:23 AM ET
By Jill Lawrence and Susan Page, USA TODAY WASHINGTON - Amid falling gas prices and a two-week drive to highlight his administration's efforts to fight terrorism, President Bush's approval rating has risen to 44% in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll. That's his highest rating in a year. The poll also showed likely voters evenly divided between Democratic and Republican candidates for Congress, 48%-48%. Among registered voters, Democrats had a 51%-42% advantage. ___________________________________
[WS:] I find it hardly surprising. I think that with the exception of a few liberal pockets here and there, the US population tends to be "naturally" conservative: taking for granted individual responsibility towards above, authority towards below, free market, tribal loyalty, populism, and a belief in the supernatural. (I think US is not alone, but that is beside the point here). Therefore, they have a natural inclination to support conservative leaders.
This explains why Bush's popularity is still high despite his criminal conduct before and during his presidency. A leader who would be perceived as liberal (e.g. Clinton) would be tarred and feathered for far, far less than Bush can get away with. I think that once the initial embarrassment with Bush's dismal policies wears out, his numbers will go up. I also think that this embarrassment will NOT transfer to other "naturally conservative" GOP politicians.
In short, I see a solid Repug lead in the future, Bush's relatively low approval ratings notwithstanding.
PS. I recently watched the Woodstock DVD, and I was struck by the essentially conservative message expressed by the interviewed hippies and others in this documentary.
Wojtek