[HitmanLV]

I think you're right, but for the wrong reasons.

Dubya had an absolutely pitiful last two years. He was incoherent and made no effective effort to explain to the American public what he was doing, why he was doing it, and why it was a good idea.

A hostile dem posse and a hostile media took advantage of those deficiencies to seize control of the narrative. The result was that by the time Dubya even tried to do something, it was too late. His credibility was shot and nothing he said stuck.

The GOP in congress was rudderless. They saw a president sinking in popularity and effectiveness. He was sinking (indeed, he still is). The polls were right and they knew it. If more GOPers stuck with the prez, more would have lost.

A recent poll I just heard on the radio noted that 62% oppose the troop surge, while only 35% approve of it. That's where Dubya is stuck at now - an electorate that doesn't trust him or the GOP to wage a successful war.

Rotten. But pretending this stuff isn't happening doesn't help us.

[4integrity]

Recent poll...

Wouldn't you like to have details of these polls? Who exactly is being polled? I don't put too much stock in polls. They can/are worded to obtain the desired responses. There is not one Republican I know who has stopped supporting the President. I find it amazing when the media reports "the American people" believe ...
they don't have a clue as to what the average American believes. I suspect media reports are based on one media person talking to another.

I do agree that the President and his advisors could have made their case better and sooner.