McCain Remains Absolutely Anchored Down By Bush: Poll

Poll numbers don't look good for John McCain these days. But the internal dynamics are even worse.

A Pew Research poll released on Tuesday reveals that the Arizona Republican is not only trailing substantially (19 percent) among early voters, but faces political obstacles that seem downright insurmountable. Despite devoting countless airtime and speeches towards distancing himself from George W. Bush, more people today believe McCain would be an extension of the current administration's policies than they did just one week ago. As Pew reports:

"As disapproval of President Bush's job performance has edged upward, fewer voters say that McCain would take the country in a different direction from Bush's. Currently, more voters say McCain would continue Bush's policies than say he would take the country in a different direction (47% to 40%). Just a week ago (Oct. 16-19), voters were divided over whether McCain would continue Bush's policies or not (44% continue, 45% take new direction."

Making matters worse for the Republican ticket, the same-as-Bush perception is getting stronger among the Independent voters that McCain needs to court.

"Independent voters have become substantially more likely to say McCain would continue Bush's policies (37 percent in mid-October, 48% now) than to say he would take the country in a new direction (50% in mid-October, 38% now)."

Indeed, it appears that much of McCain's efforts this past week to cast his candidacy as the one to help the working class have been for naught. Buried in the Pew polls findings is this little nugget: "Half of voters say that, if elected, McCain 'would do too much for wealthy Americans.'"

These findings suggest that Barack Obama's efforts to paint McCain as an copy of Bush have paid off. But the current race for the White House is being played on an uneven field.

"Favorable ratings for the Republican Party, which rose sharply following the party's convention in early September, have declined to about their previous levels. Currently, 50% say they have an unfavorable opinion of the GOP, while 40% express a favorable opinion of the party; in mid-September, about as many had a favorable opinion of the Republican Party as an unfavorable one (47% favorable vs. 46% unfavorable)... By contrast, a solid majority (57%) continues to express a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, while 33% have an unfavorable impression."

If there was one glimmer of hope for McCain in the results, it was this: the vast majority of undecided voters have yet to decide to whom they are leaning. As Pew documents:

"When undecided voters are asked whether there is a chance they might vote for McCain or for Obama, only 14% indicate a preference for one candidate over the other (7% for McCain and 7% for Obama). More than three quarters (78%) of the undecideds continue to express uncertainty."

Comments

[Javelin 17]

> the vast majority of undecided voters have yet to make up there minds.

Ummmm... yes, I would imagine so.

[scjk67]

only 7% of them....hmmmm

[Lulubelle1]

Undecided voters often waffle in other areas of life, overwhelmed with "what if" questions. Action is "decisive" and can be regretted.

FAILURE TO CHOOSE IS A CHOICE. There are no sidelines in LIFE. We're all players on the field, in the game, whether we accept it. Are we standing there in others' way, or actively contributing?

I'm puzzled by concern about one party rule, either way. We've seen one-party rule of Democrats and Republicans... Action was taken, results reaped, and real-life outcomes. That's informative for citizens. We get muddled information when no party is "in charge" -- each blames the other for failures.

Those undecided -- read entire speeches of candidates. Go to their websites. Read policy statements. I've been to both campaigns' rallies, and watched speeches. I found it instructive, a comfort. I knew who to ally myself with. I contrasted what each with my experience, and decided how to proceed for best results.

Think objectively, not through the filter of media, who regardless of intent, are making choices that unavoidably slant perception. Watch all channels. There is no "neutral" when human beings interpret what candidates say, rather than candidates' policies.

You can do it. Choose. Seek information. Process. Vote. Have faith you did the best you could. That's all we can do.

[MIKEBC]

MC CAIN = MC BUSH, OK NEO CONS, IF IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER, ANY GAINS YOU HAVE UNDER BARACK, YOU CAN ALWAYS MAIL THEM IN TO YOUR FAVORITE RICH PERSON!

[radnip]

No Change McCain.

[ShareTheWealth]

This will be McCain's last Hail Mary play before Nov 4th:

--Stevens will drop out of the Senate race for the Alaska seat this week in return for the promise of a pardon by W after the election;

--Palin will resign as VP candidate and run as the GOP Senate candidate for Alaska in place of Stevens;

--And McCain will name Romney as his new VP pick.

That would be very mavericky.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Honest Americans fighting back:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/dozens_of_call_center_workers.php

McSame is getting it from within the very ranks of those corporations hired to push his specious campaign... poetic justice.... priceless...

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[hogoza]

Did anyone see that report of GWB getting the Congress to pardon him and his administration on War Crimes? Nice timing. I can't believe the Democrats passed it? This is a disgrace to the whole American beliefs. No wonder why Russia can attack any country it wants, no wonder why China can continue it's human rights abuse in Tibet. This is unacceptable.

[scjk67]

i think i heard he's trying to. i'm pretty sure after pelosi won the spearker spot 2 years ago, her and bush secretly talked of bush to stay in the white house???

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

there was a NBC/WSJ Ohio focus group that begs to differ

[scjk67]

i hear mcbush is slowly losing ground in ohio, and of course no chance for him in penn. on election night if virginia and north carolina goes blue its over for mcbush!

[VetKor51]

McCain and Bush, otherwise known as "Me and My Shadow."

[arthur2008]

"Here's what I really believe, that when you are -- reach a certain level of comfort, there's nothing wrong with paying somewhat more... (F)rankly, I think the first people who deserve a
tax cut are working Americans with children that need to educate their
children, and they're the ones that I would support tax cuts for first."

John McCain - October 2000

[scjk67]

just done watching joe biden rally in florida, looks like the bigest crowd yet!! i lke listening to him and he can really pound that mccain is the same as bushies

[Bigjonsey]

It's going to be impossible for John McCain to distance himself from President Bush.. Because he can run from his words but he can't hide on the internet....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uThoBMfcFRc

[super]

Now I see the wisdom of Ted Stevens: the internet is a series of youtubes!

[Deadmoose]

Does anyone remember "All In The Family"

I think it would be great sattire to bring it back and run a few episodes with hopefully soon to be POTUS Barack Obama.

[Mogamboguru]

Off topic, but:

HOW S.I.C.K.O IS THIS?

Bush Trying To Pardon Himself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RwoFcLgxA0

I just don't believe it!

[ThePublicRecord]

http://www.pubrecord.org/nationworld/432-aclu-urges-doj-to-refrain-from-probing-ohio-voter-issues.html

ACLU Urges DOJ to Refrain From Probing Ohio Voter Issues

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked the Department of Justice to reject a White House request to review the eligibility of at least 200,000 newly registered voters in the battleground state of Ohio.

In a letter sent to Attorney General Michael Mukasey on Tuesday, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said, “with the election one week away, this kind of intrusion represents partisan politics at its worst.”

[Shieldmaiden]

Ugh, the McCain campaign is so full of fail. Do NOT let these fools near the White House. Vote early, stay in line for as long as it takes, and don't be intimidated.