Let's just say for numbers sake that 43% of the US population is Republican. Given the data from the last CBS News/New York Times poll, it’s safe to say that it must be tough being a Republican these days. Bush’s approval ratings are at an all time rock bottom tail spin low of 42%, while 51% disapprove. That pretty much means only the people who are registered Republican and voted for Bush are sticking with him. (I guess if I voted for him I too would try to save embarrassment and say, “Yes I approve” when called over the phone.) Which is also interesting is his privatizing of Social Security plan (which even the administration admits does nothing to save SS) has hit an all time low of 25%. The economy, the war in Iraq, and foreign policy are all below 40% approval as well. Military action against Iraq is no better, 51% think we should have stayed out while only 45% think it was the right thing.

So what is going on here exactly? Here is a party which owns the White House, both Houses of Congress, the Judiciary, and the Media. It’s in Republicans nature to always approve of their leader, no matter what the issue, predicament or rationalization of facts. The numbers prove that Republicans are “staying the course” when it comes to approval, but they forget to ask their fellow “white Christians” about “what is my position?” on other matters such as: SS, Iraq, the economy, foreign policy as they have slipped below the critical 43% mark. Not too bad for a group of people in which 75% think we found WMD's in Iraq... The official policy of the 2000 Texas Republican Party platform is to abolish the Department of Education by the way.

And it’s not just the general public, Republican Senate and House members are failing to “stay the course” on key White House issues. Just today Republicans joined Democrats in asking Bush to begin sending American troops home from Iraq or at least set forward some sort of exit strategy. Rep. Walter Jones, (R) N.C. stated:

"After 1,700 deaths, over 12,000 wounded and $200 billion spent, we believe it is time to have this debate and this discussion on this resolution."

These Republicans have to run again in 2006. Many of them are beginning to see reality and that although the usual minority Republican vote will be there, it still takes Independents and sadly even Democrats to win elections. Given the current state of public opinion, it is not good to be a Republican. Now where is that terror alert level?

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