I agree that sustaining this line of argument would be a huge mistake, but I don't agree it was a bad play because it does two things: keeps the Big Creep in play (and say isn't there a new HBO special coming out soon?) and as has been noted by others here, sends a shot over the bow of the Demcrap ship that the Bushies are willing to play hardball if necessary.
If we are simply to look at poll ratings and try to ride the storm out, then aren't we simply doing exactly what we critized Big Red Nose for doing for eight years? Bush appears intent on busting the kneecaps of terrorism and realizes some noses will have to get bloodied to do it.
I think this was a calculated play and a smart one.
I wasn't intending to say that the Bush administration's actions should be poll-driven. Quite the contrary. One of my favorite Bush quotes is his, "I'm not going to fire a $10 million missile into an empty tent and hit a camel in the butt"; which I took: 1) as a direct hit against Bill Clinton's poll-driven way of doing everything -even military actions; and 2) a recognition on Bush's part of the real seriousness of the situation. My point was simply that the administration shouldn't allow themselves to be baited by the Democrats. It just seems so clear that Daschle's criticisms of the President are evidence of just how desperate the Dems are over the President's continuing high approval ratings. So let's just pop some corn, chill some cokes and enjoy their desperation.