Scared?

October 7, 2004 10:19 PM

Terror warnings boost Bush's approval ratings. Cornell sociologist Robb Willard has used a time-series regression analysis to show that a terror alert by the US government predicts an increase in Bush's approval ratings, even on topics unrelated to security. It's often been claimed that the Bush administration manipulates terror alerts for political gain — does this finding make those claims more plausible?
posted by myeviltwin (9 comments total)

Thanks for playing but sorry.
posted by fenriq at 10:23 PM on October 7, 2004

Come on, those warnings are about as transparent as Bush gets.
posted by fleener at 10:23 PM on October 7, 2004

actually, the NYT just had an article on this, sortof: Can Fear Win Undecided Voters? Psychologists Say Maybe Not
posted by amberglow at 10:33 PM on October 7, 2004

Can Fear Win Undecided Voters? Psychologists Say Maybe Not

Maybe not. Gee, thanks for cementing that guys. Up next, can we create world peace? Experts say who knows?
posted by The God Complex at 1:29 AM on October 8, 2004

The logic of this theory doesn't justify the position that Bush is using terror warnings to actually drive up his ratings, regardless of whether you think he is doing so or not. Though it may well be useful evidence for his camp as to why he should do so.
posted by biffa at 2:02 AM on October 8, 2004

Whatever you may believe about this study they have done it again. W blows the first debate, then Edwards doesn't blow the VP debate. With the polls turning toward Kerry we suddenly hear about a month old scare regarding schools.
posted by caddis at 3:41 AM on October 8, 2004

Duct tape anyone?
posted by acrobat at 5:22 AM on October 8, 2004

War is peace.
posted by meehawl at 6:40 AM on October 8, 2004

...does this finding make those claims more plausible?

Does the Pope shit in the woods?
posted by spilon at 8:02 AM on October 8, 2004