Bush's Problem

Sometimes I read an article or in this case an editorial which really hits the core of something I am interested in and just haven't managed to articulate. A prime example explains Bush's basic problem as he enters an election he should be leading by at least 10 points and 50-60 electoral votes. Today's Wall Street Journal makes the point that Bush met a number of challenges and despite his small electoral and Supreme Court- assisted election tackled some of them head-on without undue worry about spending political capital. He made the right moves to get us out of a recession he inherited and the Afghan response and success were great positives. When he continued on into Iraq, however, he was severely handicapped by his almost pathetic inability to communicate. He avoided press conferences which could have steeled him and afforded needed practice in making his case for such things as the decision regarding Fallujah and the happenings at Abu Ghraib. All of this was most evident during the first debate and really throughout Bush's presidency. When you can't take the American public along with you, your leadership suffers tremendously. I think Bush recognized this as a liability and for this reason he avoided a number of situations where contentious defending of a position would have been required. This resulted in a disastrous farm bill, McCain-Feingold, steel tariffs, Medicare prescription drugs, and a recent caving on intelligence reform. He just accepted them rather than try to defend the superior alternative. I am afraid this great failing will give us an especially glib explainer of bad decisions. Hope I am wrong.