I carry into the Labor Day weekend the good news that Bush bounced big time, according to a Time poll.
New York: For the first time since the Presidential race became a two person contest last spring, there is a clear leader, the latest TIME poll shows. If the 2004 election for President were held today, 52% of likely voters surveyed would vote for President George W. Bush, 41% would vote for Democratic nominee John Kerry, and 3% would vote for Ralph Nader, according to a new TIME poll conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. Poll results are available on TIME.com and will appear in the upcoming issue of TIME magazine, on newsstands Monday, Sept. 6.
I don’t like polls, but it’s Friday and I’m glad the conventions are over and can’t wait until the election is over, good or bad. We can take polls all day long, but that Electoral College map is the thing to watch.
See also, “Bush, Republicans Outpoll Kerry, Democrats on TV and Bush’s Big Bounce.
That’s enough blogging. Please keep Bill Clinton in your prayers. I may not like him, but I don’t wish him pain or ill health.
Rest easy, everybody.
Update: Audio of President Bush announcing Clinton has been hospitalized.
(Hat tip: Powerline)
Update II: Bush/Cheney Lead Kerry/Edwards 54 to 43 Percent
Update III: From the Washington Post (registration req.), the text and video (portion) of John Kerry’s “speech.” Warning: It’s kind of stupid.
Update IV (9/5): About the audio of President Bush announcing Clinton’s rush to the hospital, the Associated Press got it wrong: there were no boos from the audience (Can you imagine such a thing?). Even Kerry supporters agree. From Talking Points Memo:
I take this as a final, definitive word on the back and forth about whether there was booing at the Bush rally.This comes from a reporter on the scene whose judgment and honesty I completely trust…
They didn’t boo. More accurately, the overwhelming number of people didn’t boo (I heard maybe one or two, and even those died with “hospitalized.”) AP got it wrong.When Bush said “En route here we just received news that President Clinton has been hospitalized in New York,” there was a big intake of breath and some loud “oohs” in the crowd. It was unmistakably shock. No boos.
Bush then followed up, and the official transcript has it right: “He is in our thoughts and prayers. We send him our best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery. (Applause.)”
End of story. I give Bush and the crowd their due.
That is a nice picture, although it’s the picture 2 months from now that counts.
Comment by Elizabeth B — 09.03.04 @ 11:14 pm
Exactly my feelings. ‘Feel so bad about Bubba’s health. Totally thrilled with GW’s post-convention bounce. Life is good…Hillary looks ashen, and my prayers are with this woman I normally despise.
Comment by Sissy Willis — 09.04.04 @ 7:45 am
I read the polls and like you I don’t live by them. However, it’s good to have a bounce.
Politically I don’t agree with much of anything the Clintons espouse. Morally I don’t know how they live with themselves or each other. But, I would never wish pain or suffering on either of them. My prayers are with Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton at this time.
Comment by Pamela — 09.04.04 @ 8:20 pm
The electoral college map, as it currently stands, is nearly the image of the final 2000 count, with the exception of N. Hampshire in Kerry’s column. Actually, Bush would have lost had these standing held up (He is ahead in the electoral count because the Bush states gained electors in the last census).
Who knows? Perhaps Bill Clinton will use this illness as an opportunity to reflect upon his heinous past. Good could come out of this.
Comment by Mark Slater — 09.04.04 @ 11:21 pm
“…. Please keep Bill Clinton in your prayers. I may not like him, but I don’t wish him pain or ill health. ”
My sentiments exactly! That was the very first thought that ran through my head when I first heard the news.
Kindred spirit indeed.
Comment by Jerry McClellan — 09.05.04 @ 1:06 pm
Bill clinton in the hospital for double bypass i might not have ever cared for him but hoping he recovers and maybe he will get a little lesson in honesty
Comment by firebird — 09.06.04 @ 10:08 am
BOUNCE ROUND-UP
While I am still enjoying my post-Instalanche bounce, George Bush is enjoying his post-convention bounce, but it is next to impossible to quantify the size of the spike in support for Bush. And then, the only thing that really matters
Trackback by Peaktalk — 09.06.04 @ 12:56 pm
Yes, and leave it to the AP to report booing. Enough of their bias.
Comment by kjo — 09.06.04 @ 2:26 pm
Any poll updates???
Comment by Chrissy — 09.07.04 @ 11:05 am
Not much of a poll guy myself, but since we have them on the ground with 2 months go………..might as well stomp on ‘em. Time to continue hittin’ ‘em like we’re losing, as it ain’t over yet.
I can’t wait. On 11/3/04, if us Floridians can actually vote and the Prez gets re-elected, I have a nice portrait of GW & Laura to tick off my co-workers.
Gonna sit it in plain view so my liberal, butt-kissing & backstabbing work associates can see it every single day.
Yes, Bloggies, I do have a real job, thank you very much. And hey!!! I even got notification that I will soon see $6,000 raise……how bout that? That will mean I have almost quadrupled my salary in about 11 years. I rule.
Oh, and wit not naaaaah racial preference. How bout THAT?!!
I am da man.
Comment by Beau — 09.08.04 @ 1:31 pm