Bush has done and continues to do that. You cannot take a single-time point snapshot and claim that Bush's support has collapsed. Even this port deal has yet to fully play itself out. I agree that Bush needs to make a better public case for this decision and I think he will. Of course, it won't satisfy the pitchforkers, but what could he do that would?
As far as Reagan is concerned, a lot of his popularity during his term of office is retrospective. Have a look at this interesting piece More Gloss for the Gipper. Reagan only ranks in the middle of modern Presidents in terms contemporaneous approval.
I disagree. Time and time again, his Administration has let the Dems and the media define the debate. In the one key instance lately where they took the offensive, namely the NSA wiretapping matter, they won over public opinion.
And lately, they have really not been on top of things at all. From failing to release the information about the Cheney hunting accident in a timely manner to having Bush threaten a veto over the ports deal BEFORE explaining in detail the issues, they have shot themselves in the foot repeatedly. And when the Dems and the media are constantly firing at you, the worst thing to do is fruther their agenda with self-inflicted wounds.
You cannot take a single-time point snapshot and claim that Bush's support has collapsed.
I am not saying such. However, the cumulative effect is sapping the resolve of many conservatives to keep supporting the Bush Admin despite their disregard for key concerns such as illegal immigration. I would venture that if Bush had made a serious attempt by now to combat illegal immigration, many conservatives opposed to the ports deal would be more inclined to take Bush's word on this one.
As far as Reagan is concerned, a lot of his popularity during his term of office is retrospectivem
I am not talking about Reagan's popularity. I am talking about his ability to define the debate and his message in the face of a hostile media - lessons that the Bush Admin would be wise to heed.