The Incredible Shrinking President-Will Democrats capitalize on Bush's weakness? (BARFO Alerto)

George W. Bush is on the defensive. Unless you're the Baltimore Ravens, that's not a good place to be in September, especially for a politician.

On issues ranging from the economy and budget to stem-cell research to Mexico, criticism mounts as the president often appears dumbfounded or duplicitous. His poll ratings remain respectable, but Mr. Bush is not controlling much of the political discourse.

On issues ranging from the economy and budget to stem-cell research to Mexico, criticism mounts as the president often appears dumbfounded or duplicitous. His poll ratings remain respectable, but Mr. Bush is not controlling much of the political discourse.

As long as Bush attempts to "govern from the middle" he will be nothing more than a pseudo-DemocRat. Trampling on the sovereignty of our country and the well-being of its citizens to pander votes from the Hispanic minority is a sure-fire recipe for a 1-term presidency.

I voted for Bush only because I thought Al Gore would have driven us to Hell a little more quickly. Now I realize that was a mistake, since all it did was encourage the RepublicRat Party to continue on its path of taking its core constituency - white conservatives - for granted. Demopublican or Republicrat, what's the difference any more?

Bush has tried to conduct himself as a reasonable, likable fellow that is willing to consider both sides of most issues. This has been effective since it has exposed the bluster and partisanship of the Democrats. The real test is going to come shortly when the budget battles heat up and Bush has to reach for the veto pen.

The public has indicated that they like this approach by his poll numbers. The constant politicking by our former President sickened most people.

The thing that worries me most about Bush is his tendency to compromise rather than do battle. You can get so much accomplished by being mr. nice guy but eventually with the sharks in Washington he is going to have to come out swinging.

Bush isn't governing from the middle, as you say, but if the president doesn't pay attention to all the voters, including independents and conservative democrats, he will have little chance of being reelected. That also goes for the Hispanic vote. Whether you like it, or not, America is heading into a period of significant racial and cultural change that will see white folks of European heritage, like me, slipping into the minority by 2050. Republicans need to plan for the future and understand what the political landscape will look like years down the road. Building new coalitions and constituencies to battle the Democrats with is critical. Theres no other options available.

This ignorance that some people have of American politics is bewildering. Just how many times must it be explained, that the Executive Branch doesn't hold all the power of the federal government and the President isn't a dictator. We have a Constitutional system of checks and balances that makes a small majority, basically a divided government, a very difficult situation to operate under.

President Bush isn't a "pseudo-DemocRat", thats ridiculous. He's a mainstream conservative-republican with a small legislative majority in the HoR, who has inherited stagnant economic conditions that have been building for over a year now and liberal media outlets that miss their old buddy, 'der slickmeister'.

President Bush can't please everyone, all the time. He's bound to disappoint some demographic group with every decision he makes and that includes conservatives like me. But so far, Bush has made a huge difference. The tone in Wash-DC has changed dramatically, if you ask me. The new President has returned honor and dignity to the White House and the Oval Office. Bush fought for serious tax relief and won victory. Chances are good Bush will get funding to speed up production for a national missile defense system. He stood up to the environmentalist wackos in the world and told them the current version of Kyoto is DOA. He went to Europe twice and told the socialist leadership over there, that what matters to him as President, is placing the interests of America and American's first and foremost.

I highly doubt you voted for Bush. No one who understands American politics, could cut and run from the person they helped elect to office and on top of it, after only eight months in office. You have no loyality. Give me a break!

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