Bush The Albatross (Ronald Brownstein MEGA BARF Alert)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 07/18/2007 | Ronald Brownstein

[goldstategop]

In fact, to survive 2008, Republicans will probably need some combination of separation (from Bush) and rehabilitation (for him). But neither end of that equation will be easy. Bush's disapproval rating has exceeded 58% all year and has not fallen below 50% for two years — the longest stretch of such presidential weakness since Truman finished his second term beleaguered by Korea, corruption and Joe McCarthy.

It's true that Republicans in 2008 should perform slightly better among voters who disapprove of the president than George H.W. Bush and Gore did, because their nominee, unlike those men, won't be the retiring president's vice president. But another pattern underscores how hard the challenge will remain: On average, 80% of voters who disapproved of a President's performance have voted against his party's candidates even in House races since 1986, according to the respected University of Michigan post-election polls. When a President takes on water, in other words, everyone in his party flounders.

One senior GOP strategist says Bush could most help the party by redirecting the American mission in Iraq away from front-line combat operations toward training and counter-terrorism. But even if Bush dropped his opposition to that idea, such a change might be too little, too late to rebuild his public standing. Whatever Bush does in Iraq, Republicans next year will probably need to paddle away from him much more energetically than they have so far. It also means that no matter how hard they swim, they could still be swamped if Bush can't stabilize his sinking ship.

[goldstategop]

Ronald Brownstein argues Bush's dismal job approval ratings portend a Democratic landslide in 2008. He does NOT mention the Democratic Congress's job approval rating is 20 points LOWER than President Bush's. Iraq IS Bush's legacy and he is determined to keep the Democrats from forcing a defeat upon him or pressuring him to leave Iraq before he determines its safe to do so. The President's chief goal, now that he never has to face the voters again, is to keep the country safe from the specter of another 9/11. The GOP cannot separate themselves completely from Bush for the War on Islamofascism is important to GOP primary voters. As for the rule Brownstein cites, it may not hold water since the public just as strongly disapproves of the Democrats' performance. And the two Democratic front runners, Hillary Clinton and Hussein Barack Obama, have to contend with that congressional baggage. So things from a political standpoint aren't as bleak as as they seem to be at first glance. The GOP can recover in time for November 2008.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Theodore R.]

Did LBJ address the Chicago convention of 1968? I can’t recall. I know no one much wanted him there. But GWB will be in Minneapolis, dragging down whatever ticket is assembled there.

[Theodore R.]

I definitely recall that HHH would not assemble the old “New Deal” people once more for victory in November 1968, but he almost did, as Nixon stubbornly sat on his “lead”.

[kabar]

LBJ didn’t attend the convention.

[Theodore R.]

I would suggest that GWB and Cheney stay away from Minneapolis (Isn’t that where the conclave will be?), not that it will help matters much.

[kabar]

If the situation hasn’t changed appreciably in Iraq and/or if we have been attacked at home, I agree. The Rep nominees must distance themselves from Bush and his low approval ratings. They can’t do that if he is there.

[AdvisorB]

I’m not surprised that Ron Brownstein is shilling for the ‘rats, once again. Brownstein and Mark Green, the leftist Harold Stassen of New York politics, were both Nader Raiders at one time, and Brownstein shares Green’s radical leftist philosophy.