[areafiftyone]

Wasn't this Daddy Bush's problem? His failure or reluctance to step into the campaign fray? If I remember correctly, George Bush's re-election push was lackluster at best.

You are exactly correct. Daddy Bush was counting on his Gulf War status to bring him thru the election and it didn't work. The economy was doing very poorly then and it seemed like he didn't care. Once you give the democreeps that kind of opening they jump in like the bacteria they are and seep into the wound and infest it. Bush is doing that right now. HE HAS TO STOP THEM but I am afraid his advisors are telling him (like they told his father) to wait until the primaries are over. In the meantime the Democreeps are starting to hypnotise the American people. Bush cannot wait until the primaries he has to begin his campaigning right now!

[LibFreeUSA]

Let's face it. Republicans never attack and change the subject, or change the premise by which the attack is based. This is something the Democrats are always totally focused and experts at. BECAUSE THEY DO IT CONSTANTLY!

The Republicans always want to conduct themselves as 'principled' people, something which the Democrats are not, and don't claim to be. As such, the Republicans only 'hit' (maybe) if they are first hit. Problem is, they only hit back when it's too late, or not at all.

[CedarDave]

The RATS are controlling the agenda and the media are being their usual lap-dogs. What is it going to take for the White House to wake up and battle the "enemy"? They have to go on the offensive, and not wait too long to do so. I get regular updates from GeorgeWBush.com, but they're preaching to the choir, IMO. When is the Bush camp going to start countering the liberal press onslaught? He has a considerable campaign war chest, when is he going to start to use it? Waiting too long to go to get into the battle may make it too late for him, and our country's future.

[neverdem]

I don't believe Bush can do anything unless he drops the "new tone". Rove's calculations require him to sit tight, do nothing else that could be considered conservative and stay above the fray. He has no individual opponent to focus on until the rats have a "standard" bearer.

Stealing the rats issues gets him nowhere with the rats and the media and alienates his base.

Tax cuts to stimulate the economy are derided by those who love class warfare as tax cuts for the rich.

His realistic foreign policy is attacked as aggressive and imperialistic.

He can't say that the conservatives believe as they do because the left scares the crap out of them.

Did I leave something out?

[ought-six]

"Bush cannot wait until the primaries he has to begin his campaigning right now!"

I couldn't agree more. It's uncanny how Bush II is repeating the performance of Bush I almost verbatim. If he raises taxes, he's really toast. Also, do not be surprised to see a challenge to Bush, either within the party or from a conservative running as a third-party candidate. Bush is a very decent man, a good and honorable man, but that ain't gonna cut it any more.