Doc Fallout’s Spin Machine: Bush’s Disapproval Rating

Is today going to be partly sunny or partly cloudy? Is the glass half empty or half full? Is that idea half baked or fully baked? Are we winning or losing the War in Iraq? How you answer these questions depends or doesn't depend on how you view or don't view the world.

The same can said to be true or not to be true regarding how we view or don't view George W. Bush and the job he’s doing or not doing as our elected or supreme-court nominated President. Do we approve or disapprove of Bush’s performance? Are we satisfied or dissatisfied with Bush’s handling of affairs? Do we view Bush favorably or unfavorably?

Not a week goes by when we hear about or don’t hear about Bush’s approval rating, but is the word “approval” slanted and misleading or is it not slanted or misleading?

Doc’s Spin: Since we live in a Democracy or supposedly live in a Democracy, we should default or not default to the majority rule (depending on whether or not the Supreme Court has to interdict), especially when something can be clearly measured or clearly manipulated by polls. The latest polls show that Bush’s approval rating is hovering around the 35th percentile, while his disapproval rating lingers at the 60th percentile. Based on these numbers, it’s clear that the majority of Americans disapprove of Bush’s performance or fumbling of the presidency, so the media should call them Bush’s Disapproval Ratings, unless the tables should take a shocking turn for the worst or the best, then the media could revert to the Approval Rating.

Now for all of you optimists out there, no worries. If President Bush’s Disapproval Rate stays the course, you can say: “Golly, Bush’s disapproval ratings are going up.” And if you wondering how President Bush can tip the scales and resurrect his Approval Ratings, there’s always this to help keep your spirits up or dampened:

Doc Fallout’s Spin Machine: Hillary, Inc., Adultery, & Condom Sense

Doc Fallout's Spin Machine

Political Fallout is pleased to announce the recent hiring of its own resident spin doctor, Doc Fallout, who’s been saddled with the responsibility of spinning the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in the political news.

1. Hillary, Inc.: “Forget the Money”

The numbers for the first ’08 presidential filing report are in, and it appears that Hillary, Inc.’s top-down DLC campaign strategy of putting the squeeze on its competitors, forcing them to either merge or throw in the towel, may be on shaky ground. Granted, Hillary, Inc. was able to squeeze fellow DLC competitor Vilsack out of the race, but she did promise to help absorb Vilsack’s $400,000+ campaign debt. A larger concern, one that has sent a ripple of unease trickling down Hillary, Inc.’s top-down organization, is the Obama Factor. Obama’s fundraising campaign has literally erased the gap this quarter (not including the $10 million she duped from New Yorkers for her senatorial race). Hillary, Inc.’s shareholders are feeling a wee bit uneasy, thus prompting the Corporation’s Campaign Chair, Terry McAuliffe, to respond that money doesn’t matter.

Terry McAuliffe: "Ultimately, forget the money. You've got to get votes.”

Doc’s Spin: It’s all about the money. Just ask Hillary’s Inc.’s new national co-chairman, Tom Vilsack.

2. Hollycorn: “Clang! Bring Out Your Adulterers!”

Iowa Lawmakers are debating whether or not Iowans should offer tax break incentives for filmmakers who make their movies in Iowa. As written, the bill has one major sticking point that targets pornographers, although the vague wording “any obscene material” has prompted lawmakers to question what’s obscene and who decides what’s obscene.

Rep. Doug Struyk (Council Bluffs Republican): Brought up "The Bridges of Madison County." He noted that, while the book and movie brought fame to the state, perhaps it wouldn't have qualified for the tax break since its main character - Francesca - had an extramarital affair. Does the movie say that "Iowa is the state of adulterers, or that maybe it's the adulterers of Madison County?"

Doc’s Spin: Who needs fictionalized adulterers when we have real-life adulterers running for public office in Iowa. I've already begun writing a new film treatment with the working title: "The Fifth Corner Affair." The film is based on the sexual exploits of Jim Nussle and Rudy Giuliani as they go on a quest for extramarital affairs in Iowa's famed Fifth Corner of the state. Preliminary casting is already in the works. Buzz Lightyear has already agreed to play Nussle and details are being worked out with Robert Duvall, who will play Giuliani.

3. Iowa Lawmaker Opposes Condom Sense

A bill approved by the Iowa House last week would require the teaching of research-based sex education in public schools.

Rep. Betty De Boef (What Cheer Republican): didn't like the idea. De Boef said that some groups teach inappropriate topics, like instructing students how to put on condoms. "This bill has a hidden agenda," she said. And furthermore, we wonder, who would they get to grade the final?

Doc’s Spin: De Boef is right about the bill having a “hidden agenda,” but that’s the whole point. And as far as who would evaluate students, I recommend John Cleese from “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life.” This should help get the ball rolling.

Doc Fallout is Political Fallout’s resident Spin Doctor and has been spinning the truth before spinning the truth was in vogue.