In defense of the Republican polling numbers
I keep seeing stuff like this being batted about in the liberal blogosphere.
Yes. Republicans. Less Popular than China. Or Venezuela.
Leaving aside that we’re left assuming that this as meaning the Chinese government as opposed to the rich legacy of Chinese culture — if nothing else, you gotta love your chow mein, right? Also, Yao Ming appears to be a nice enough guy.
… Assuming we can correlate the numbers exactly to the Chinese government, as against the Republican Party, we are left with the simple matters of apples and oranges. When asked for an impression of China, the baggage that comes with it is various policy measures as to what to do with the odium. To answer an unfavorable impression with China is to suggest that something needs to be done with it to loosen the grip of the Chinese government on either their human rights records or with regards to economic and military might.
Meanwhile, we can do something with the Republican Party: keep them out of office. Hence, a quick answer of unfavoribility is more apt when asking for impressions on the Republican Party than on China.
I don’t like this game, and I feel the need to state my objection.