Coincidence or proof of speculations? You decide.
After Flagging Support, a Second Wind for Bush
By Doyle McManus, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The bombs exploded in London, but the repercussions are still rippling across Washington.
A surge in public concern about terrorism means a probable boost in support for President Bush and the war in Iraq.
Renewed fear of terrorist sleeper cells will probably spur increased support for tough law enforcement measures such as the Patriot Act, which is up for renewal. And there’s new enthusiasm in Congress for increased spending on domestic security, especially mass transit — an area in which legislators were cutting budgets three weeks ago.
There’s no telling how long the wave of concern will last. If the London attack gives way to months of calm, the increased fear — and any gain in popularity for Bush — may well be short-lived. But for the moment, Washington is back in 9/11 mode.
“The bombings will give both Bush and [British Prime Minister Tony] Blair a boost,” said Christopher Gelpi, a political scientist at Duke University who studies public opinion in times of war. “I think the attacks may help slow the ebbing of [public] support over Iraq, because the bombings make [Bush’s] point about linking Iraq and terrorism.”
Bush wasted no time in citing the London attack to support his central argument for U.S. military operations in Iraq. In his weekly radio address Saturday, the president said the bombings were part of a single terrorist offensive that included the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon as well as this year’s attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq.
“We are now waging a global war on terror, from the mountains of Afghanistan … to the plains of Iraq,” Bush said. “We will stay on the offense, fighting the terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them at home.”
War on terrorism has largely been Bush’s main focus since Sept. 11, and when the public has been attentive to the issue he has benefited politically. Polls have found that most Americans believe Bush has done a good job in battling terrorism, even though increasing majorities disapprove of his handling of other issues, such as Iraq and the economy.
“All our data show that Bush’s greatest strength is on terrorism, as opposed to other parts of his job,” said Frank Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup Poll. “These attacks will remind people … of what Bush’s strength is. The most probable effect is that support for the president and his policies will go up in the short term.”
Polls seem to be Bush’s life BLOOD.
