The decline of one point in Republicans has to be within the margin of error, so much so as to be statistically insignificant. That W is keeping his base solidly with him belies the wails of El Rushbo and the Klown Kar Krowd over at the Weekly Standard. Now that the Democrats have decided to concentrate on "how we screwed up the war", Bush turns the issue about and asks Americans "how we can win the war in the future". Americans want an investigation into the failures to anticipate the terrorist attacks of 9-11, but they are firmly focused on winning the war. The point is, the Dims have inadvertantly refocused public attention on Bush's strong suit: the war. Bush's elegant aikido move, coopting the Democratic demands for a cabinet level Department of Homeland Security, effectively shut down the Democratic theme machine for the remainder of this electoral cycle. Now the issue will be: "...why are the Democrats conducting needless turf battles when American security is under threat. Geez, I gave 'em what they wanted! Oh, and by the way, the Dems won't give you any new judges, either."
I really like George W. Bush's position going into the campaign right now.
Be Seeing You,
Chris