America Votes: Cancel Christmas at The White House

In our latest Washington Whispers poll, Americans seem to be voicing their anger with the plight of the economy and the huge Dow drop that's impacting their 401(k)'s. This week, we asked what one symbolic move President Bush could make to show that he understands the hard financial choices Americans have to face every day. And the top answer: Cancel the lavish annual Christmas parties. That, of course, isn't going to happen, but your voice is being heard. The next choice: Ground Air Force One. Fortunately, though, our polling sample had a heart when it came to the First Pups. Asked if the president should shift dog foods to a cheaper brand, only 3 percent said that Barney and Miss Beasley should go on Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy.

The Whispers Poll

In these economically challenging times, what one symbolic move could President Bush make in the White House to show that he understands the hard financial choices Americans have to make every day?

Cancel lavish annual Christmas parties 49%
Ground Air Force One 25%
Pump his own gasoline 12%
Open a West Wing soup kitchen 10%
Put his dogs on Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy food 3%

Source: The Synovate eNation Internet poll was conducted October 9-13 among 1,000 nationally representative households by global market research firm Synovate.