Checking in with those Cuddly Boys of Hamas

So it's been a few months since the Happy Peace-Loving Peace-Lovers of Hamas took over Gaza in a violent coup. So it's a good time to ask, how are they doing, now that the Palestinians have had a chance to see, up close and personal, what life in a Hamas state is like?

The AP had a story yesterday. And the answer is: uh-oh! Not so good!

RAMALLAH, West Bank: The popularity of the Hamas militant group has fallen far behind rival Fatah, according to an opinion poll released Monday, and Palestinians were overwhelmingly opposed to the Islamic group's heavy-handed tactics in the Gaza Strip.

The poll . . . was the latest sign of public discontent with Hamas following its violent takeover of Gaza in June, when its gunmen defeated pro-Fatah security forces.

In the poll, 78 percent of respondents said they didn't approve of the practices of the Executive Force, the paramilitary Hamas force policing Gaza.

78 percent? That's even higher than George Bush's disapproval rating. Apparently Hamas's beating journalists, their takeover of the mosques and banning outside prayer, and that whole thing isn't playing that well in Palestinian Peoria.

But at least they've got the law'n'order card, right? Like Giuliani, at least they're making the streets safe, aren't they?

Although Hamas leaders have said the Executive Force have returned law and order to chaotic Gaza, 65 percent of respondents said security was deteriorating in the strip. Just 21 percent said they believed Hamas is capable of governing the Gaza Strip.

Let's see that one again.

Just 21 percent said they believed Hamas is capable of governing the Gaza Strip.

Has all this trouble eroded the voter base? Not in the least! Unless, that is, you consider losing by almost a four-to-one margin "erosion":

According to Monday's poll, 50 percent of respondents said they would support Fatah if elections were held today, compared with 14 percent support for Hamas. Similar numbers said they would support a Fatah presidential candidate over a Hamas candidate.

But at least the armed coup was popular among Palestinians, right?

Nope, according to the AP:

The poll found that 73 percent of Palestinians oppose Hamas' Gaza takeover last June, when the militant group routed forces from Abbas' Fatah movement during five days of infighting.

"Hamas will keep losing its popularity if it doesn't fix the situation it made in Gaza. People now view Hamas as a political party. It used weapons against the Palestinians, which made it lose its ideological, and religious and political purity," Shikaki said.

There's only one possible conclusion that can be drawn: this is all really Israel's fault, because those Happy Reporter-Beating Boys of Hamas couldn't possibly be bad men.