The American Conservative
by Kara Hopkins

01/16/06

President Bush's approval rating could not have slipped into the 30s were his base not bleeding. The gloss is off democratic crusading, and happy talk about Iraqis standing up is no substitute for an exit strategy. Social Security reform swirled down the drain months ago, leaving no domestic agenda save Katrina spending. Add Libby and Brownie, Miers and Murtha, and Bush probably spends many days missing Crawford. He can't change policy -- even if strategy so dictated, his temperament doesn't run in that gear -- so he is left trying to change the subject. With few options, he landed on immigration reform. But could someone who stumped in Spanish and turned 'jobs Americans won't do' into a national cliche convincingly sell himself to the Right as an immigration reformer? Short answer: no -- but it may not matter...

http://www.amconmag.com/2006/2006_01_16/article2.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp