[TomGuy]

I also don't think that the Republicans in Congress have given anywhere near the level of vocal support to the President that they should. And I mean from the very beginning, not just recently.

That is because his leadership skills have been weak. The President who stood on the mound with the bullhorn shortly after 911 had the entire nation in the palm of his hand. He squandered it.

As for the Republicans in Congress, at their first balking, he should have taken them to the woodshed. Other leaders have, to keep their party members on board. He didn't. He let them run rampant. And that made him appear even weaker, as a leader.

[TigersEye]

As for the Republicans in Congress, at their first balking, he should have taken them to the woodshed.

Not just that. He could have also encouraged them, backed them up as his supporters, shown the strong fighters favor and made clear that he would return favors. He left them all standing alone to take the heat for supporting the WOT. Senators and Congressmen can't stand alone politically.