Gallup: Dean Continues Slow but Steady Progress Among Democrats

This article from Gallup is worth a glance. (However, many of their articles reveal a certain Republican slant, which is probably true of the poll-taking methods, as well.)

While Lieberman still leads the Democratic pack, his numbers are falling, as are those of other front-runners Kerry and Gephardt. The “Big Mo” is with Dean, who’s gone from 5 points in June to 15 points in August.

Particularly is how Gallup subtly suggests that Lieberman’s lead is largely (if not solely) attributable to his stint as Gore’s running mate. No doubt that advantage will fade, as the other candidates become household names, as well.

As disappointing as it is to see Gallup still giving Chimpy a 60% approval rating –- and then concluding that his numbers are “leveling off” –- there are a couple of reasons for optimism:

a. Gallup’s numbers are considerably higher than those by other pollsters, who now have Chimpy in the lower to mid 50s.

b. Gallup points out a VERY interesting comparison between Chimpy’s polling trends and those of his father at this point in his presidency, suggesting Jr.’s numbers may soon decline again, just like his father’s did:

"One important comparison point for Bush's job approval is the trend line of George H.W. Bush's job approval ratings in 1991. The elder Bush's rating dropped rapidly from a high point of 89%, measured just as the Persian Gulf War was ending, to 72% in June 1991. At that point, however, Bush's ratings stabilized, and stayed at about that level through the next three months, even rising slightly to 74% by late August. As the fall began, however, his ratings resumed their downward trajectory, ending up at 50% by the end of 1991."

Moving from 5 to 15% in 2 months is anything but slow but at least they used the word "progress" in the headline.

Then again, they say he's an extreme left peacenik and only white college age males like him.

That's OK. After the Meet the Press interview where the media pegged him for dead, he got, oh, just $90,000 more than usual. Keep doubting, and we'll keep proving them wrong.