Can you imagine what it would be like if nearly every week, someone wrote a news story focusing on how many people liked you and’thought you were doing a good job? And what if those news stories were consistently negative? What if those stories also included interviews with friends who say they’re distancing themselves from you because of the bad funk you bring?’That would pretty much stink wouldn’t it?
Welcome to George W. Bush’s world.
More and more people, particularly Republicans, disapprove of President Bush’s performance, question his character and no longer consider him a strong leader against terrorism, according to an AP-Ipsos poll documenting one of the bleakest points of his presidency.
Nearly four out of five Americans, including 70 percent of Republicans, believe civil war will break out in Iraq — the bloody hot spot upon which Bush has staked his presidency. Nearly 70 percent of people say the U.S. is on the wrong track, a 6-point jump since February.
“Obviously, it’s the winter of our discontent,” said Rep. Tom Cole (news, bio, voting record), R-Okla.
Republican Party leaders said the survey explains why GOP lawmakers are rushing to distance themselves from Bush on a range of issues — port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade, for example.
The positioning is most intense among Republicans facing election in November and those considering 2008 presidential campaigns.
Yeah, I know – this all comes with the territory. If you’re President of the United States, politics can be the god that delivers all things glorious or the demon that torments. Even so, for those of us who support Bush, we mustn’t get bogged down in the negatives.
Instead, take time on this Friday to compare and contrast leadership. Take time to Find the Leader.
MORE: Bush on poll numbers – whatehvah.
Increasingly, conservatives are distancing themselves from the Bush administration. With low approval ratings and increasing problems both domestically and abroad many conservatives from various circles are unhappy with the Bush administration. Fiscal conservatives are unhappy that the deficit has soared (the president has not vetoed one spending bill (or any bill) since he took office). Prominent neo-conservatives are bailing as well given how the war in Iraq has gone and how the Bush administration has used the notions of preemptive war.
Any republican that wants to win the 2008 Presidential election (the general election, not the primary) will have to distance themselves from the Bush administration if they want to caputre the swing voters.