Bush will be hurt by this, but he is not "toast"

[bluestateguy]

I believe his approval ratings could dip another 5 points or so, down into the low-mid 30's. But everybody acknowledges that the federal government's response was terrible, and that Bush himself was slow to react. Other than Haley Barbour, I have yet to hear anyone say that the Bush Administration has just done a bang-up wonderful job. But the White House and the Right wing echo machine will contain the damage by shifting some of the blame to Blanco and Nagins. Some people will become convinced that governments at all levels are to blame, but that will still include Bush and his team.

He is still the president and he still has a Congress that is very, very loyal to him. He also still has a cadre of supporters who will protect him as if he were a little child.

[quiet.american]

1. I tend to agree.

The public has a short memory, and the cable news stations, and certainly the local news stations, are already starting to operate in stenographer mode again.

[livetohike]

2. We can still try. I have written e-mails to Boxer, Feinstein and

my worthless Republican Rep. Darrell Issa. At least I did something.

I am writing to those editors and TV personnel who are speaking out as well.

[Totally Committed]

3. I agree, too, and said this from the beginning...

Having Rove and Hughes is better than being coated in Teflon.

TC

[mirandaod]

4. If the American people

don't start making some changes in '06, the conservatives are going to fail us again. It could be even more spectatular next time - maybe a devastating earthquake in California, maybe WMD terrorist attack. Whatever's coming, if things don't change, many more people will die.
I don't know if it's too late or not. It's going to be tough. I wonder if America still has the strength to pull it off.

[still_one]

5. that says everything

when people of his own party WILL NOT STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT...

[Spazito]

6. In once sense, he may be 'toast' by way of the 2006 elections

If he loses control of the House and Senate, he is toast, he would have lost his power. The power to begin investigative processes, possibly leading to impeachment would then be in democratic hands. The republicans know this, they are very aware of the anger of the American people and how that anger can be expressed through the ballot boxes, with or without Diebold.

The key is to focus on 2006 republicans in vulnerable states once the race officially begins, imo.

[Walt Starr]

7. The beauty is, WE DON'T WANT HIM TO BE TOAST!

Any Republican who backs him up will be vulnerable come 2006. We want the assholes to back him up because that will make it easier to beat them next year.

This thing has changed the rules of the game, and the rules are now in our favor. Karl Rove demonstrates two dimensional thought patterns, and this has moved into a foru dimensional structure for strategy. Karl is playing by 9/11 rules and that will not woork in a post-Katrina world.

I had thought about sending a warning to Judy Biggert not to back up Bush on this one. After thinking it over, I hope she does because we can slam her for putting Bush above the well being of the American people. I can work personally to see that the likes of Judy Biggert and Dennis Hastert lose their seats if they make this foolish move.

[4bucksagallon]

8. What if:

What if, instead of New Orleans it was the capital, Baton Rouge and what if, instead of a hurricane it was a terrorist nuclear device. What if, all communications were cut and all officials from mayor to governor were dead or missing. Would the republicans still be saying that the federal government could not act unless "ASKED". Posse Comitatus act my a@@.



It's hard work, such hard work, we're working hard, hard work, It's going to take hard work. ha ha!!!

[newyawker99]

11. Hi 4bucksagallon!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Joe Chi Minh]

9. Wow! You're a real leader of men!

Just the guy for the troops to listen to before going over the top. "The US expects...!".

[KharmaTrain]

10. So What If He's Toast, He's Not Running Again

Personally, if I never see that oxygen thief and his evil henchmen, it won't be soon enough.

I could also care less about his popularity ratings or what type of job he's doing. In my book it has and always will be zero.

The game here is not just sticking mr. booosh, but taking this fiasco and others and showing it's the fault of Repugnicans. Almost every problem we face now has their bloody, selfish hands over it, and it's the local face of the Repugnican party I want to paste it on.

My concern is people will be so pissed at mr. booosh and still give a pass to their Senate or Congress critters. If we're ever to restore any responsible leadership in this country, it starts next November in your local house and senate races.

[nonconformist]

12. Yes he is.

I *have* to believe that right now.