I won't disagree with you too much, except to say that nobody listening to Bush isn't all his fault. The MSM just might have something to do with that.
Again, it is the job of a strong leader to get past that. If it means working directly with them or simply going around them, then that is what needs to be done. The Bush Administration has put up more barriers between the public and themselves than need be and they are hurting because of it. For example, while I delight in watching Rumsfeld slam the press, it doesn't win any brownie points.
The Democrats and other left-of-center groups have used the Internet to great effect. The Republicans have not. While Freerepublic is a great resource and can be effective on various issues, it does nothing to attract people who have a differing viewpoint and trying to win them over. Preaching to the converted is not what needs to be done. They are already on your side.