Bin Laden: Hopes for Re-Election as World's Most Popular Asshole Dim, New Poll Suggests

Nick Gillespie | July 15, 2005

Osama bin Laden's popularity, even in Islamic countries, is tanking faster than Karl Rove's or Gov. Arnold's, says a new survey of six predominantly Islamic countries conducted by the Pew Research Center. Among the findings:

In Morocco, 26 percent of the public now say they have a lot or some confidence in bin Laden, down from 49 percent in a similar poll two years ago.

In Lebanon, where both Muslims and Christians took part in the survey, only 2 percent expressed some confidence in the Saudi-born al Qaeda leader, down from 14 percent in 2003.

In Turkey, bin Laden's support has fallen to 7 percent from 15 percent in the past two years. In Indonesia, it has dropped to 35 percent from 58 percent.

What the hell does it mean to express "some confidence" in bin Laden? "I have some confidence that his kidneys will hold out long enough to blow up the Eiffel Tower"? "I have some confidence he will be able to make his scheduled appearance on The Tony Danza Show before that small-screen crime against humanity is cancelled"?

Not all the trends are as strikingly anti-bin Laden: In Pakistan, support for the pal of Bert from Sesame Street dropped a mere 6 points, from 51 percent to 45 percent (giving bin Laden about the same approval rating in that great nation as George W. Bush has in these United States). And in Jordan--aren't they our friends?--"confidence in bin Laden, who took responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and many other attacks, rose to 60 percent from 55 percent." C'mon, U.S.-born Queen Noor's book wasn't that bad, was it?

Whole Reuters account of survey here.

The Pew survey is online here. More good news: Support for suicide bombing is down in the Muslim countries polled.

Comments

|7.15.05 @ 8:57AM|#

This is a complete white wash. Don't look at the summary, look at the questions in detail. They are worded to get favorable answers from the interviewees.

Jeff|7.15.05 @ 9:06AM|#

And this comes out right after a hefty quotient of studies are found to be severly and deliberately flawed.

|7.15.05 @ 9:11AM|#

"The Pew survey is online here. More good news: Support for suicide bombing is down in the Muslim countries polled."

Did they break it down into "Suicide bombing by you", "Suicide bombing by someone else", and "Suicide bombing by you because someone duct taped your hands to the steering wheel"?

Or maybe "Suicide bombing against Muslims" vs. "Suicide bombing against the infidel oppressors".

I dunno, I have a hunch there could be some variation.

|7.15.05 @ 9:26AM|#

If support is down, then why is volunteering to be a suicide-bomber up?

|7.15.05 @ 9:30AM|#

The study shows alot of variation by place and circumstances on a lot of different questions. Kind of the way individuals really think. Yes, there are actual individuals among Muslims as elsewhere, who change their minds on things, have nuanced views, get emotional in response to events as perceived, and answer surveys. Sad, if some libertarians may need to be reminded of that.

|7.15.05 @ 9:35AM|#

Osama was the past. Iraq is the present. Hillary is the future.

|7.15.05 @ 9:40AM|#

He should come out stronger against same sex marriage and stem cell research.

|7.15.05 @ 9:51AM|#

Karl,

Osama needs to hire Rove.

|7.15.05 @ 10:07AM|#

I'm not saying he did. I'm not saying he didn't.

You should ask his wife. I hear she's the one that told him to go on jihad. That's the rumor anyway.

This is on background - right?

|7.15.05 @ 10:12AM|#

In Pakistan, support for the pal of Bert from Sesame Street dropped a mere 6 points, from 51 percent to 45 percent

Check the poll again, Nick. It rose from 45% to 51%. Also interesting that a full 100% of Jordanians hate Jews, with the number dropping down to 99% in Lebanon.

|7.15.05 @ 10:18AM|#

Does it really amtter? Bin Laden has a support base that will not go away. They should survey outside a Mosq.

Warren|7.15.05 @ 10:26AM|#

What the hell does it mean to express "some confidence" in bin Laden?

Yeah, I don't know what that means either. But I'd bet dollars to donuts that if there is another successful attack on US soil (say, taking out one of Manhattan's bridges or subway) his numbers will soar again.

drf|7.15.05 @ 10:42AM|#

could we, like, cram a bunch of rabid weasels down that assholes pants, hoping they'll nibble off his jumblies?

or: better!
what we'll need is some 16-penny nails, a hot glue gun, a clown suit, and an extension cord.

(insert evil laughter and the need for some aspirin)

|7.15.05 @ 10:51AM|#

could we, like, cram a bunch of rabid weasels down that assholes pants, hoping they'll nibble off his jumblies?

We'd have to catch him first:)

drf|7.15.05 @ 10:54AM|#

Issac: that's not my department. i just come up with strategic concepts. :)

|7.15.05 @ 11:16AM|#

Isaac Bertram,

We aren't serious about catching bin Laden these days.

|7.15.05 @ 11:34AM|#

"But I'd bet dollars to donuts that if there is another successful attack on US soil (say, taking out one of Manhattan's bridges or subway) his numbers will soar again."

But that's the point - his stock is falling because he's losing.

|7.15.05 @ 11:37AM|#

drf,

"i just come up with strategic concepts."

Look, the plan went through extensive public hearings, several modifications, and was endorsed by the Planning Board and the City Council.

The recommendation that we have live sharks suspended 30' above the right of way has broad public support. You're getting $200,000 for this contract, now just fucking do it.

drf|7.15.05 @ 11:53AM|#

Joe: we're overbudget. We strategery types, just like everybody else, need the creature comforts. AND LOTS OF THEM.

|7.15.05 @ 11:55AM|#

...stares blankly for a few seconds, then starts flipping through a spiral-bound document...

"Look, right here, Page 14, under the heading Suspended Sharks..."

|7.15.05 @ 12:13PM|#

Joe: LOL!

|7.15.05 @ 12:17PM|#

More good news: Support for suicide bombing is down in the Muslim countries polled.


Of course support for suicide bombing is down. It shouldn't be hard for them to see that they are getting blown up alongside the rest of the infidels...So naturally, why should they support it?

|7.15.05 @ 12:27PM|#

Are you saying the number of people who support suicide bombing is declining?

I've got a theory...

|7.15.05 @ 12:28PM|#

The only reason the suspended shark plan was approved is because the entire Planning Board is in the pocket of the Shark Farmers of America. Everyone knows that a Piranha tank would be much more effective and cost efficient. Let's do lunch and I'll show you the numbers.

Tony Higgenbottom,
The American Piranha Growers Council

|7.15.05 @ 12:33PM|#

Are you saying the number of people who support suicide bombing is declining?

No. That is what the poll says. I was just trying to draw a logical conclusion as to why, if indeed the poll is correct.

BTW, lay the theory on us...

|7.15.05 @ 12:36PM|#

Lastiko:

My guess is Joe means that suicide bombers are a declining population, due to their nature.

|7.15.05 @ 12:42PM|#

linguist:

LMAO! I would have to agree.

BTW, I did not read the PEW survey results. Just throwing my own theory out there.

|7.15.05 @ 1:06PM|#

In another thread I said that if you want to meet women go to church: Fundie Christian church if you want a full social calendar, mainline Protestant or Catholic if you want lighter social obligations.

And if you want a church that offers few women but lots of weapons training, visit a Wahabi mosque.

|7.15.05 @ 1:51PM|#

thoreau,

I find that Baptists and Church of Christers will have sex in order to save your immortal soul. :)

|7.15.05 @ 3:08PM|#

Reminds me of my favorite joke Hakluyt:

What's the difference between a Reformed Baptist and a Southern Baptist?

A Reformed Baptist will say hi to you at the liquor store.

Or:

Why do you always take two Southern Baptists fishing with you?

If you take one he'll drink all the beer.

|7.15.05 @ 3:23PM|#

"Osama! A Ralph Reed on line two! Says he can boost your numbers!"

"Put him on hold, I've got Abramoff on the line. He says he can get us some Indian casino money."

|7.15.05 @ 6:01PM|#

ralphus, that second one is the best Baptist joke ever. Just be careful who overhears you telling it. I got in dutch once when an ex-girlfriend's ardently Baptist grandmother overheard me telling it. I just don't understand, everyone else liked it...

|7.15.05 @ 7:00PM|#

"What the hell does it mean to express 'some confidence' in bin Laden?"

"Well, I'm not sure I like his farm program but I support him on trade issues..."

|7.15.05 @ 7:32PM|#

I'm told that some libraries in the Islamic world will no longer lend people books on how to be a suicide bomber. It's not that the libraries have any moral objections--it's just that all too often the books were never returned...

|7.15.05 @ 9:05PM|#

"I find that Baptists and Church of Christers will have sex in order to save your immortal soul. :)"

Hakluyt,
Calling bullshit on that. If memory serves, which it doesn't, I surely tried that line... to no avail.
I'm a Tennessee Volunteer and CofC'er.

Even married CofC'er's, to this day, will not have sex standing up. They're afraid it may lead to dancing.

|7.16.05 @ 2:57AM|#

Ruthless,

I never had to use a line or ask. I just told them that I am an atheist. :) And I am being completely serious.

Anyway, its well known that Church of Christ kids screw like bunny rabbits. Summer youth group camps were notoriously "wicked" affairs. :)