Posted on 04/27/2005 5:59:11 AM PDT by FlyLow
Journalists and the public are seeing a lot of the real George W. Bush these days, the genial, relaxed fellow whom handlers often kept under wraps in his first term.
He seems a lot more like the friendly guy who was so popular as governor of Texas. But as the president nears the end of his second term's first 100 days, there's little sign yet that a more open demeanor is paying political dividends.
Polls show Bush's standing with the public is lower than four years ago. The prospects for his major initiatives are dimmer, a reflection both of their difficulty and a sign that substance trumps atmospherics, even in today's highly personalized political world.
In any case, it's been evident since last November's election that Bush is, if not liberated, far more comfortable in confronting controversy and the press.
He's had regular monthly news conferences, displaying the increased deftness that comes with practice. The contrast between the stiff, uncertain first-term president and the relaxed, confident second-term version was on vivid display when Bush appeared recently before the nation's news editors.
Four years ago, when he spoke to the American Society of Newspaper Editors, he stayed for just 23 minutes and answered only five questions, not counting his abrupt brush-off of one probing his long-term intentions toward China.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
After a while the MSM liberals will take the shine off a new penny! So to speak.
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