Negative polling numbers can lie, too

As everyone knows, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics, and when it comes to polling numbers, so far this year some of those numbers are actually worse than damn lies. And one of the the biggest lies is the President's polling numbers. Now like all statistics, the actual number is correct, but what it tells people is wrong. To give this some subtext, let's look at George W. Bush's numbers and compare them to President Obama. In W's last year, he hovered around 38%, and stayed there. Now this is a horrible number, but actually is higher than some would think. Take any generic president and say that after his first election, he would invade 2 counties, take a yearly surplus in taxes and turn it into a $7 trillion deficit, watch as a major American city was devastated by hurricane and man-made errors and do nothing to help, and still have a 38% approval rating, and while it's surprising that 38% still approved of his actions, it would be obvious that the approval would come from one wing of one party. Now there's Obama's numbers, which is a steady 44% approval rating. But here is where the numbers get different. With TARP, the Stimulus Bill, and Obamacare, it is obvious that the right hates the President. But what isn't shown is other actions that he's taken. The troop are still in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay is still open, DOMA still hasn't been overturned, and even in the health care bill, there was no single pay government entity like in Medicare. Each of these actions and lack of action have infuriated the left. So while only 44% approve of the Presidents actions, there are those on both sides of the aisle, and even some in the independent middle, that disagree with some of his actions. But as the GOP pulls farther right in their search of a nominee, the farther they go, the more they have no chance of getting the left, and less chance they have to get the independent middle. So yes, only 44% approve of the President's actions, this doesn't mean that 56% will vote against him.Find where the 56% stand on specific issue, and you'll know if the 44% statistic is just a lie, or a damn lie.