You are right about some of it. I am simply saying if Bush had a War Room set up like Clinton did to shoot down the lies as soon as they were told, there wouldn’t have been Bush fatigue. If the American people saw the truth as soon as the media told the lies, things wouldn’t have gone as far as they did. Bush let the left and the media define him.
IMO, no matter how much Bush might have defended himself, I don't believe it would have been heard. (I believe that in part because he did defend the war in Iraq and it was never heard).
And I'm not sure he would have gotten the long term respect he will eventually have because he behaved honorably at all times.
In the end, I believe he will benefit for being a man of conscience and integrity who refused to get in the mud with his detractors. JMHO.