It wasn't the President who went on TV and said he was sad, sick, disappointed, etc. It wasn't the President who said this nomination was a sign of weakness. It was the pundits who have been filling the papers and the airways with their coplaints for the last two weeks.
Having created a climate of unease, the pundits have affected the numbers.
All the pundits have done is amplify the sentiments now being expressed by millions of conservatives who have gradually-but inexorably-become disenchanted with the Bush administration's domestic policy betrayals.
They counted on Bush to represent them in at least one critical area-and fulfill his most solemn campaign promise-and they were publicly rebuked.
If anyone is culpable for this debacle it is President Bush, not the commentariat.
>>> The polls were not taken the day of the nomination ... Having created a climate of unease, the pundits have affected the numbers.<<<
Get real, miss marple. This conservative was outraged by the Meirs nomination from the beginning. I expected the conservative pundits to give Bush a break -- the ole wait and see approach. To my surprise most stood by their principles, which has only increased my respect for them. My respect for those who support this nomination ranges from marginal (for the "let's wait and see" crowd), to zero (for the "if you do not support Meirs you are a sexist, elitist, etc." crowd).