From Hyperdictionary.com--a boxing tactic: pretending to be trapped against the ropes while your opponenet wears himself out throwing punches.
I think Pres. Bush accomplished this by taking FDR's tack of putting people to work building infrastructure. People who work pay taxes, so the hit on the economy will be mitigated and the long-term results may change the ratios between classes, hopefully to the good. This leaves the Bush-haters in a bind, because FDR is their Reagan, so to speak, but they are so small-minded about regaining power, that they will continue to flail at the President who doesn't flail back; instead he deals them a left hook, as in this America-sized vision which gives hope to those who need it badly. After all, hope has to be present at the start of moving forward.
Maybe that blood they smell is chum.
Personally, I think GW is brilliant. I also think he read the book, "How To Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. It's an older book but the common sense within it is timeless.