Wallace, Stephanopoulos, wires did not rebut first lady's false claim that Bush's high poll numbers were never "on the front page"
SUMMARY: Neither Fox News' Chris Wallace nor ABC News' George Stephanopoulos corrected a claim by first lady Laura Bush that when President Bush's poll numbers were high, the press did not put them "on the front page." Nor did the Associated Press or Reuters challenge Laura Bush's claim in articles reporting it.
On the May 14 edition of Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace did not rebut a claim by first lady Laura Bush on the broadcast, that, when President Bush's approval ratings were "really high, they weren't on the front page" of major newspapers. Similarly, during an interview with Laura Bush on the May 14 broadcast of ABC News' This Week, chief White House correspondent and host George Stephanopoulos also did not correct her when she repeated her claim that, "when poll numbers were good," the press did not put them "on the front page." Nor did the Associated Press or Reuters, both of which reported Laura Bush's claim, note that it was false.
In fact, as The American Prospect's Greg Sargent noted on the Prospect's Tapped weblog, The New York Times and The Washington Post published numerous front page stories touting President Bush's formerly high approval ratings and his lead in polls taken during the 2004 presidential campaign. These include:
- January 29, 2002, the Post: Bush and GOP Enjoy Record Popularity; Poll Finds Broad Support Despite Doubts on Economy
- March 11, 2002, the Post: Poll: Strong Backing for Bush, War; Few Americans See Easy End to Conflict
- July 17, 2002, the Post: Poll Shows Bush's Ratings Weathering Business Scandals
- Dec. 17, 2003, the Times: Bush's Approval Ratings Climb In Days After Hussein's Capture
- Dec. 23, 2003, the Post: Bush Gets Year-End Boost in Approval; Poll Shows Dean Surging Among Democratic Rivals
- March 22, 2003, the Times: Support for Bush Surges at Home, but Split Remains
- April 20, 2004, the Post: Poll Shows New Gains For Bush; Lead Over Kerry Widens On Issues of Security
- Sept. 10, 2004, the Post: Bush Support Strong After Convention; Kerry Favorability Rating Plunges in New Survey
- Sept. 28, 2004, the Post *: Poll Shows Bush With Solid Lead; Despite Worries, Voters Cite Lack of Clarity From Kerry
During the same Fox News Sunday interview, Wallace advanced the dubious claim that Americans are only "beginning" to lose confidence in Bush. In fact, Bush's approval ratings in Fox News polls have remained well below 50 percent since March 2005.
*Sargent misattributed this article to the Times.
From the May 14 AP article by staff writer Hope Yen:
"I don't really believe those polls," said Bush, who added that the news media seem to have "a lot of fun" writing front-page stories when ratings are low but ignoring the numbers when they are high.
"As I travel around in the United States, I see a lot of appreciation for him. A lot of people come up to me and say, 'Stay the course,'" she said on "Fox News Sunday."
From the May 14 Reuters article:
Mrs. Bush complained that when her husband's popularity was high, newspapers did not put that on the front page. Now it was low, they took great delight in highlighting the fact.
Asked if she thought the media had been unfair, Mrs. Bush said: "No, I don't think it's necessarily unfair. I think it's just, you know, I think they may be enjoying this a little bit."
From the May 14 edition of Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday:
WALLACE: As someone whose, I'm sure you know, approval ratings are double your husband's, why do you think the American people are beginning to lose confidence in your husband?
BUSH: Well, I don't think they are, and I don't really believe those polls. I travel around the country. I see people. I see their response to my husband. I see their response to me.
There are a lot of difficult challenges right now in the United States. We face many, many challenges, unprecedented challenges, when you think about the huge area of destruction after Hurricane Katrina or a "war on terror." All of these things are new, really, for the American people.
The idea of a terrorist attack on September 11th and then this huge hurricane that devastated the entire Mississippi coast and, of course, New Orleans, one of our great cities -- all of those decisions that the president has to make surrounding each one of these very difficult challenges are hard. They're hard decisions to make.
And of course, some people are unhappy about what some of those decisions are. But I think people know that he is doing what he thinks is right for the United States, that he's doing what he -- especially in the "war on terror," what he thinks he is obligated to do for the people in the United States, and that is to protect them.
And as I travel around the United States, I see a lot of appreciation for him. A lot of people come up to me and say, "Stay the course." And I think, right now, what we're seeing with these poll numbers is a lot of fun in the press with taking a poll every other week and putting it on the news, on the front page of the newspaper. When his polls were really high, they weren't on the front page.
From the May 14 broadcast of ABC News' This Week:
STEPHANOPOULOS: How about inside the White House? How do you see your role? And has there ever been a moment particularly in the last year where you've woken up and said, "You know what, we've got to get a handle on this, we have to turn things around"?
BUSH: Well, sure, of course, I wake up and think that a lot when I see the bad poll numbers on the front page of the newspaper. I didn't -- back when poll numbers were good, I don't think they put them on the front page, but now, the bad ones are there.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you think the press has been unfair?
BUSH: No, I don't think it's necessarily unfair. I think it's just -- you know, I think they're maybe enjoying this a little bit. I mean, that's what it seems like.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Enjoying it?
BUSH: That's what it seems like a little when I read it in the paper. Because it isn't really what I see everywhere. I mean, I travel all around our country. I go to every part of our country, and what I see is that Americans are standing with our troops. They want them to succeed. They want them to be successful. They want the Iraqi people to be successful. They want the people in Afghanistan to be successful, and they want to rebuild the Gulf Coast. I mean, that's what I see everywhere in our country.
wanted something great to rise from the ashes. I was behind the President and our government in a way so true I could not at this time believe it or express the belief fully. I remember reading the headlines that touted the approval in the 90th percentile. I was part of that percentile.
I truly hoped that the administration and the Congress would use the disaster (I hate to use that word because it makes it seem like an accident) to bring America together, pursue diplomacy, and start a debate which could of benefitted the world. I told my wife at that time, "That this could be Bush's moment and that should he actually use this opportunity wisely that I could see myself voting for him." Well, that did not happen and I voted Democratic. I should have known that the "divider" and "decider" would not do the "right" (and I don't mean right wing) thing. I have seen our wealth, lives, reputation, and liberties squandered with little or nothing to show for their sacrifice. And when I look back upon those days they seem distant and almost 3rd person to me.
I felt the same (90%) -- feel the same now (disgusted, disenfranchised, horrified, angry). The WORLD was behind us... 5+ years later, we have the end-products of the neocon wet dream. How any humane or rationale person can STILL support this criminal regime is beyond me.
I felt that bushco was gonna play dirty pool from the beginning, and my opinion never changed during 911. I have to admit that, because of all the bashing that I had to take for not supporting w during that time, I'm going to be a VERY sore winner.
The cons deserve a good "I told you so" from the left on this one.
Perhaps Mrs. Bush doesn't think statistics, random sampling, and polls aren't sound science. If she doesn't see the people disgusted with her husband, perhaps it is because they live in a cacoon, have the Secret Service to keep away protestors, and go to places that have screened audiences. It's too bad she is so desperate for here husband that she now has to go out spread propaganda.
especially that moron Kilmeade. Apparently no one on this show bothers to do any research before they open their mouths. They just blindly repeat White House/GOP lies and talking points. Then, in order to further bash the low Bush numbers, the 3 stooges with ED Hill taking the lead go on to question the accuracy of the polls based solely on the fact that more people have only cell phones these days. But, according to Zogby and Breslin, for example, while it may become a problem down the road, it isn't at this time. Only 5% use cells solely and they tend to be young voters (who tend to be Dems) which probably would only make the numbers worse for Bush. ED Hill should be glad that cell users aren't included in these polls.
That's why they have Laura out pimping for them.
Over the years, whenever I've seen her express any views, I'm left with the feeling that she's not too deep. When I realize she's married to the guy and has some motherly impulse to protect little Georgie from the bad guys in the world, I 'm also reminded that at some point in her past, she made a rational decision to buy in to a future with this guy. That's when I lose any sense of seeing her as much of a real intellect. She just can't be all that bright.
"Well, I don't think they are, and I don't really believe those polls."
So when her husband was high in the polls she didn't believe them? She thought he wasn't really as supported as much as the polls indicated?
Is this woman serious?
Does she have any idea how absolutely idiotic that sounds?
A first grader could have swatted that response down like a fly on a hot summer day without breaking a sweat.
I am tired of this crap that keeps getting spouted off as fact.
She never once doubted them when they were high but now....gee, she doesn't now believe them.
Is this woman really this crazy or do they think people are just stupid?
This administration has profited from innuendo, misinformation, and flat out lies. Sadly, 51% of americans voted him in for another 4yrs. No wonder they think we're stupid.
Bush certainly blew it. The world was behind him & US & he had an opportunity to become a great prez. but like they said He,d F Up A Free Lunch.Imagine if he would have stayed in Afganistan & help rebuild that country , Which he said we would do,He could of shown the world how to build a democracy. The Afghans would of welcomed our help in rebuilding, Bush could of shown some of that christian compassion he claims to have (B.S.), but he decides to preemptively invade Iraq on a load of lies.He could of just kept up the intence pressure & force Saddam to allow inspections Which he was willing to do. && WHERE Is Ossama???? Laura ! Your husband is a total disaster 7 he has divided US like no other person could . You Laura need to wake up & smell the cofee .
Now it appears some in Afghanistan are welcoming the Taliban back. After a generation of war with the Russians the Taliban were able to gain control. They exported terror and Radical Islamism until we drove them from power. They were defeated. Instead of staying there and helping to rebuild we were distracted by Iraq and now bogged down there. I'm sure the polls would be higher for Bush had he stayed focused on the real problems in Afghanistan.
That's what they all say when their polls are in the dumpster.
There are many ridiculous statements by Laura Bush here. The media goes out of its way to talk about any positives about Bush and to avoid negatives. It is very questionale as to whether U.S. policy is helping the Iraqi people. It seems to me that they are becoming subjugated and pawns in a game.
"And as I travel around the United States, I see a lot of appreciation for him. A lot of people come up to me and say,'Stay the course'."
At what function that she speaks at does she see "real" Americans?? Just like her hubby, Karl and the boys make sure her audiences are friendly Republican faces. I would hate to see what would happen if she were faced with the same type of vitriol that her party heaped upon our last First Lady.
Laura is obviously suffering from reality seperation. She "doesn't believe" those polls? Does she think all the networks (including FOX) and polling companies are part of a great conspiracy? I really feel sorry for this woman. I'm sure it must be emotionally painful to see someone you care for being berated daily by the majority of the people in the world.
BUSH: Well, I don't think they are, and I don't really believe those polls. I travel around the country. I see people. I see their response to my husband. I see their response to me.
Not that her sample is skewed or anything, you know.
Laura seems likeable enough until you consider, like the poster above noted, she has no credibility to do anything other then shill for her husband and has spent her adult life doing it. I'm sure Babs told her long ago not to worry her pretty little mind....
I remember a time when Jackie Kennedy would go on television to exhibit the changes she personally made to the White House, with out giving her two cents on presidential matters. What does her opinion matter? Of course she wouldn't directly answer a question like "Why do you think the American people are beginning to lose confidence in your husband?" The Bush Administrations main political strategy is misdirection. She was asked a simple, straight answer and replied the same way any Bush White House Press Secratary would, simply discount the question asked and spin the focus around to another relatable topic. Discount the question, and discount the thousands of people surveyed by MAINSTREAM MEDIA OUTLETS!