[Pukin Dog]

What will sink President Bush is that now he and his team is beginning to be viewed as incompetent. Since you would welcome an argument countering yours, I will try to be respectful, though your argument leaves out some very important details.

First, Bush's perception by the public cannot be media driven. There are only a percentage of voters who base their opinions upon media reports. The general public has a very short attention span and even shorter memory.

Second, never forget that Bush owns the 'bully-pulpit' and can make or change the agenda, and the nation's focus anytime he wishes. There is no story in today's media that will be the focus in November.

Third, the facts are these. We are actually winning in Iraq, despite the media's best efforts to deny it. We are also winning on the economy. Bush has barely begun to fight back, and as before this is NOT the time. He needed to stop Kerry's momentum last month and did so with ease.

Fourth, WMD and OSAMA are still variables under Bush's control, not Kerry.

The point is, the election is and always has been Bush's to lose, and what happens in November is really in his hands. If he wants to win, he will. Its just that simple.

[AlbionGirl]

First of all, thanks for the thoughtful reply, and I think I noticed you saying on another thread that you either were or are in the Service, and I want to take this opportunity to tell you how grateful I am for men like you, and to say thanks, as pathetic a show of gratitude as that is.

Now, on to your counterpoints:

First, Bush's perception by the public cannot be media driven. There are only a percentage of voters who base their opinions upon media reports. The general public has a very short attention span and even shorter memory.

I think it is media driven for that part of the electorate that holds the winning hand, that 6 to 20% number of independents that's always out there. However, your point about attention span is not arugable.

Second, never forget that Bush owns the 'bully-pulpit' and can make or change the agenda, and the nation's focus anytime he wishes. There is no story in today's media that will be the focus in November.

As far as the War is concerned he can't really make or change the agenda, events drive that and he can't control events for the most part. And your general point about the 'bully-pulpit' while accepted is not this President's strong suit IMO, because he doesn't seem to like it or take advantage of it as he should.

Third, the facts are these. We are actually winning in Iraq, despite the media's best efforts to deny it. We are also winning on the economy. Bush has barely begun to fight back, and as before this is NOT the time. He needed to stop Kerry's momentum last month and did so with ease.

I don't think you can really say that we're 'winning' in Iraq presently. We're holding our own would be as far as I would go in characterizing the positive aspects of this War. Please see, if you're so inclined website called Cella's Review, and scroll down to piece by N. Millman regarding Rumsfeld and the War. Long but very informative piece. But I will agree that the media is painting this as a fiasco, and as yet, I'm not willing to take that view. But as you see, the media can control perception.

Fourth, WMD and OSAMA are still variables under Bush's control, not Kerry.

Agreed!

The point is, the election is and always has been Bush's to lose, and what happens in November is really in his hands. If he wants to win, he will. Its just that simple.

I'm sure I said pretty much the same thing in my original post.

[HostileTerritory]

Second, never forget that Bush owns the 'bully-pulpit' and can make or change the agenda, and the nation's focus anytime he wishes.

You must be joking. Bush has been trying all damn week to talk about jobs and the growing economy and all the press wants to talk about is Iraq, Iraq, Iraq. I hear it on the radio; he's always being quoted from the floor of a factory in Ohio or W. Virginia, talking about tax cuts or education, and that's good for thirty seconds. Then you get 20 minutes of prisoner abuse and Congressional hearings and what's Powell saying bad about Rumsfeld.

[GraniteStateConservative]

The point is, the election is and always has been Bush's to lose, and what happens in November is really in his hands. If he wants to win, he will. Its just that simple.

So incumbents merely have to will themselves to victory? Ummm... OK.