Replies

There is still a trump card to play here...

the card is from Bush...

imagine the unthinkable -

Bush can come out have a 5 minute dialog with the American public (probably on the day of testimony in front of the 9/11 commission) - some sort of special speech in prime time -

using an example from the great communicator -

After October 1983 suicide bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon. President Ronald Reagan held a news conference that December at which he said, "If there is to be blame, it properly rests here in this office and with this president. And I accept responsibility for the bad as well as the good."

He also said that "more should be done to anticipate and prepare for a dramatic terrorist assault." ..

..

Bush can do the unthinkable - (I know this is very hard to swallow) - he come out and accept the blame, the responsibility, sorta like what Reagan did - and then refocus the whole issue of what are we going to do next?

Reason for that is #1) political shock value - how many politicians can utter the word, I take responsibility #2) Personal character - Bush is a very likeable president, people like him because of his leadership and honesty - again how many politicians can say - I take responsibility #3) reframing the issue of what to do next?

I bet the public (save the 40% in the angry left) really don't care for the blaming game on Bush, and by coming out to take responsibility, Bush will win a huge majority for the rest. The rest want to know how are you going to protect us, not blaming so and so. Remember the personal qualities of Bush standing on top of the ruins of wtc, we like him because he is decisive, he is honesty and he is trustworthy. All these qualities will undercut Kerry's character (vote yes before no blah blah)...

I do think if the media are overplaying this Bush bashing game, Bush can come out and put all these media thugs into shame. The Bush presidency is full of surprising moments - the 9/14/01 WTF megaphone, the 5/01/03 Aircraft carrier moment, the thanksgiving 03 moment..maybe a surprise moment in 2004 in the next few months is what we need to refresh our memories why we like this president over weasels like Clinton and Kerry.

jmho.