Carroll Doherty Quotations

There is a real sense of cynicism about the level of corruption in Washington. The feeling among public is it is endemic.

More independents, in particular, say partisan control will be a factor.

Bush stands at a precipice. He's lost ground among independents. He seems to be starting to lose ground among his own party. And he lost the Democrats a long time ago.

For what it's worth historically, 9/11 was the news media's last great moment in terms of the public view. I'd be hesitant to say much more than that because we don't know how the public is reacting to this crisis -- whether there will be the same sense of unity and common cause. There was an immediate rally effect shortly after 9/11, and that rubbed off on the media.

People are looking for improvements there, and that's not something he has great control over, the day-to-day situation in terms of car bombs and sectarian violence.

It hasn't broken through with the public in a big way.

I think the surprise here is that so many people see her as a strong leader. What's interesting about those numbers is that leadership was probably an area that proved to be John Kerry's downfall in the last election. It's an area where she is doing well.

I think the surprise here is that so many people see her as a strong leader, ... What's interesting about those numbers is that leadership was probably an area that proved to be John Kerry's downfall in the last election. It's an area where she is doing well.

Where Bush is beating Kerry among men and women alike is on leadership.

There's no consensus. There are so many strains and cross-currents.

They're not following the ins and outs terribly closely, but they get a general impression that something need to be fixed.

It was among the issues that showed the biggest percent saying it should be a higher priority.

It's a complicated issue, and the public's views aren't consistent.

It is unfortunate that it takes a tragedy like that for people to see the system working at its best. When the stakes are high, the press does a good job and the public responds. ... It just doesn't come across in the daily barrage of cable shout shows.

The sense you get in this poll is that people don't see a lot of good options or a lot of good strategies.