[KellyAdmirer]

Let's accept what Novak says, for the moment. The reality is that there is nothing going on here but some weak Bush poll numbers. Believe me, that is all that matters here. If the poll numbers go up and stay up, there won't be any talk of "malaise" and all the Republicans will be happy as clams. This talk about mid-term elections is simply looking for a silver lining, much like some looking on a Kerry win as a final and permanent avoidance of Hillary as President.

[Fishface]

Whether Novak is a true conservative or not is not an issue with me. I trust that he has been around our weak kneed Republican congressman and that he has in fact heard these grumblings.

I am just not sure how it will ultimately impact Bush's re-election. After all, where have the Republicans in congress been for the past year? Their reign has been disappointing or even worse irrelevannt.

[Sabertooth]

The reality is that there is nothing going on here but some weak Bush poll numbers. Believe me, that is all that matters here. If the poll numbers go up and stay up, there won't be any talk of "malaise" and all the Republicans will be happy as clams.

Yep.

Bad polls = malaise; good polls = no malaise.