Is Anyone Listening?

By Stan G. Kain
September 24, 2003

Last Monday night, President Bush was interviewed by Fox News chief correspondent, Brit Hume.  According to the Nielsen Media Research report, not many Americans were listening.  In a CNN report, President Bush says he's paying no attention to the Democratic race for his job.  A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows Mr. Bush with the lowest approval rating of his presidency.  The majority of Iraqi people, willing to voice their opinions, say they're unhappy with the progress of American occupation in their country.  I wonder if anyone is listening to anyone else?

During the President's White House interview, the Nielsen poll indicated most Americans were more interested in new comedies and a football game, than hearing what Mr. Bush had to say.  In fact, Mr. Bush drew an average of about 4.3 million viewers in the same time slot, the reality show, "Fear Factor," drew more than 13 million viewers.  Admittedly, when I hear "Fear Factor," I'm inclined to think first of President Junior, his resurrected Reagan advisers and John Ashcroft.  Why aren't Americans listening to their President?

Robert Thompson, Director of the Center for the Study of Popular Television, at Syracuse University, says, "That is a sorry state of affairs."  He adds, "I think most people, when they heard that the interview was going to happen, just assumed they weren't going to hear anything new that they hadn't already heard."  I agree.  We have an upcoming election and people are tired of hearing the same old messages and not seeing the results.  War on terrorism - we're making progress.  The American economy - It's showing signs of improvement.  Saddam Hussein - we're sure he had weapons of mass destruction.  Cut taxes and spend more money on defense.  Ronald Reagan is back, in President Junior.

Presidential campaigns are gaining momentum.  Retired General Wesley Clark has announced his candidacy for the Democrats.  Following Clark's announcement, polls showed him having favor with 39 percent of respondents.  Another 48 percent of respondents said they are unfamiliar with General Clark.  The same polls show the President with the lowest approval rating of his presidency.  Mr. Bush has the support of 50 percent of the Americans polled, down from 59 percent in August and 71 percent in April of this year.

While General Clark appears to be a serious challenger to Mr. Bush, there's a question as to whether he can maintain the momentum for the year ahead, until the election.  Republicans point out that Ronald Reagan, a year before the election for a second term, had an approval rating of about 40 percent and still won by a landslide.  Will American voters take time to learn about General Clark?  Will they compare the general to other Democratic hopefuls?  Will they compare Mr. Bush to his Democratic opponents, or will they just tune in to another good sitcom?

What does President Junior think about criticism of his performance and his Democratic challengers?  When asked by the interviewers, Mr. Bush said, "Well, occasionally it blips on my radar screen, but not nearly as much as you would think.  I've got a job to do.  I'm occupied."  As to specific Democrat criticism of the war in Iraq and the economy, Mr. Bush says, "I repeat, I'm not really paying attention to it."

Mr. Bush was asked about his thoughts on opinions, as they reach the media.  His response was almost comical.  President Junior said, "I appreciate people's opinions, but I'm more interested in news.  And, the best way to get the news is from objective sources, and the most objective sources I have are people on my staff who tell me what's happening in the world."

Let's think about that for a moment.  The President appreciates the people's opinions, but those opinionss are apparently not to be taken seriously.  Opinions are the views of American voters.  Opinions may well translate into votes, a year from now.  Even better, Mr. Bush considers his own staff members to be the most objective source of news.  I wonder if he's ever read, "The Emperor's New Clothes?"  Probably not.  How many corporations have ended in bankruptcy court because the CEO only listened to his staff advisers?  Many, no doubt.  Paid staff advisers are paid "yes" men.  They tell their employer what he or she wants to hear.  Unless Mr. Bush wants to follow in his father's footsteps, as a one-term president, he would be well advised to listen to the opinions of voters in this country.  I don't think he's listening, either.

I think our President and his staff are counting on American voters not listening.  They hope voters aren't listening to how much money they are spending in Iraq.  They hope the voters aren't listening to unemployment figures in this country.  They are hoping voters weren't listening when Mr. Bush said he'd "go it alone," in the war in Iraq - especially now, when he's back at the U.N. asking for military and financial assistance in Iraq.  They are hoping French President, Jacques Chirac wasn't listening then they ordered "freedom fries," instead of "French fries."

If you have questions or comments, please email Stan.

ⒸCopyright Stan G. Kain 2003