Bush and Santorum poll numbers

The new Strategic Vision poll of likely voters in Pennsylvania indicates that the people of the Commonwealth are not happy with these two.

Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance? Approve 38% Disapprove 55% Undecided 7%

Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy? Approve 35% Disapprove 57% Undecided 8%

Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq? Approve 41% Disapprove 50% Undecided 9%

On the 3 big questions of the day over half disapprove of Bush's job performance. But Santorum (R-VA) is still carrying water for him even when he does things that may not be legal like spy on people in the US without a warrant. From the Inquirer:

Santorum, a member of the Senate GOP leadership, had no qualms. "The senator recognizes that in times of war, the President has the constitutional oversight or the constitutional ability to do whatever is necessary to protect the American people," Santorum spokesman Robert L. Traynham said. "He fully supports the President's ability to protect American lives by going this step in terms of listening in on conversations." Traynham said Santorum was not among the congressional leaders who had been briefed on the surveillance program.

Santorum's numbers are also in the tank.

Do you approve or disapprove of United States Senator Rick Santorum's job performance? Approve 40% Disapprove 47% Undecided 13%

If the election for United States Senate were held today, and the choice was between Robert Casey, Jr., the Democrat and Rick Santorum, the Republican, whom would you vote for?
Robert Casey 50% Rick Santorum 39% Other 1% Undecided 10%

Now he is running away from his support of teaching Intelligent Design in public schools. The Inquirer documents his flip-flop:

In a 2002 Washington Times op-ed, Santorum wrote: "Therefore, intelligent design is a legitimate scientific theory that should be taught in science classes." But in recent interviews, including one in August on National Public Radio, Santorum said: "I'm not comfortable with intelligent design being taught in the science classroom." Santorum said his statements are not contradictory, nor has his position changed.

Santorum raised the national profile of intelligent design in 2001 by introducing a "teach the controversy" amendment to the No Child Left Behind bill. The Santorum amendment was approved, 91-8, by the Senate and placed in a legislative history report. It validated the push by some school districts to teach alternatives to evolution. But science groups attacked the amendment and lobbied successfully to keep it out of the final version of the legislation.

Maybe Ricky is starting to realize that people are tired of having religion used to divide us and want our leaders to concentrate on what is important. He will now have to worry that Pat Robertson will put out a contract on him.