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"Bush, it seems ever more obvious, is the Third Wayer Clinton only pretended to be."

- My opinion is that Clinton was never more than a poll driven tactician, content to go for short term political popularity, willing to do or say anything to garner short term approval ratings, regardless of principles(which, as we know, he has none). That is why his Presidency produced so little in the way of lasting achievements.
Bush on the other hand is a long term strategist, willing to take the short term dips in approval to garner the achievement of a longer term goal based on soundly based personal principles.
My belief is that Bush will rebound in personal approval with his base and with voters at large by mid 2006 based on two major events, ie; Meir will have rendered some Supreme Court opinions which will confirm her as a solid constructionist and secondly, there will be a draw down of American troop levels in Iraq. If, on top of that, Condi can point to some progress in frustrating Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions or if Syria has a change of government, it would just be icing on the cake. With these events in place Bush should hold or improve the Party's position in the 2006 elections.
He's gambling that the events I've outlined will happen and is willing to ride out the low popularity polls until they do.
If he's right, look for him to resuscitate the Social Security reforms in 2007 to end his Presidency on a high note.