I agree. "W" is tanking just like his ol' man and for the same reasons. PR IS a part of being president and a duty of leadership. If anything, a president owes it to his supporters to "spend his political capital" wisely. "W" either has a horde of pennies, or is broke.
Things can turn around, but Dubya needs to not create the impression he is out of touch. His political capital from the 2004 election has been spent, with very little to show for it.
I agree that President Bush does not stay on top of the PR game --Republicans in general are bad at this-- but there is one big difference between President Bush and his father: he was reelected.
As far as this poll goes has there not been polls all August saying his approval rating was at 40%?