WHAT do George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac, Angela Merkel and Helen Clark have in common? They have been having such a difficult time lately that they are widely written off as lame-duck political leaders. Bush's approval rating is at a record low following his inept handling of the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. A spy scandal engulfs his administration; his nominee for the Supreme Court quits; and Republican party candidates were beaten in the two governors' races contested last week. Meanwhile, a war rages that America may or may not be winning. Blair had already announced he would resign...
