Mixed signals

The Washington post this morning reports, in breathless ffashion, that the nation is "deeply polarized" between those who like the president and those who don't. He has a 56% approval rating, and enjoys a 48-47 lead over the yet-to-be-determined democatic candidate see individual poll results, including head-to-head matchups, here.

But I have to wonder whether these numbers will change once we actually have a defined andidate, rather than an aggregate candidate, running against Bush. and on that note, a few things. First, as the head-to-head polls show, Bush has a bigger lead over each candidate than he does against the putative candidate. Second, the Post also reports that Democrats are split on whether to attack Bush or to compromise, suggsting divisions among the other side that migh doom whatever candidate emerges.

And finally, there is the hilarious flap over Dean's recent remark that he wanted to be the candidate for "guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks," and now the other candidates are lining up to rip him for it:

Kerry: "We don't need to be a party that says we need to be the candidacy of the NRA. We stand up against that."

Gephardt:  “I don’t want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks. I will win the Democratic nomination because I will be the candidate for guys with American flags in their pickup trucks.”

Sharpton:“If I said I wanted to be the candidate for people that ride around with helmets and swastikas, I would be asked to leave"

Edwards: “Some of the greatest civil rights leaders, white and black, have come from the South. To assume that southerners who drive trucks would embrace this symbol is offensive.”
       
Clark: “Every Democratic candidate for president needs to condemn the divisiveness the Confederate flag represents.”

Lieberman (from a spokesman): “It is irresponsible and reckless to loosely talk about one of the most divisive, hurtful symbols in American history.”

Good stuff, very good stuff. Have at it, gents: send a bloodied and weakened candidate up against Bush and see what happens. That 48-47 will disappear quickly, I would guess.
- posted by Anonymous @ 9:36 AM