[podkane]

BS. The only poll that mattered was taken in November...and Bush knows it as do these others.

The polls in 2006 may matter if it hands Congress to the Dems. We all tend to believe polls when they are giving good news (were they any less valid for the ~ 90% approval rating after 9-11?), and dismiss the bad. But people are uneasy with the perceived mess in Iraq. We can bicker about the MSM not giving a clear picture, but perception is reality in politics, and the admistration had better go on the offensive and assure the people that what gets established in Iraq is ultimately friendly to us, and worth the lives and limbs of our soldiers.

If what gets established in Iraq is an Islamic regime friendly with Iran, then the administration has only itself to blame - the uneasiness that is reflected in the polls is real.

[Jeff Head]

Sorry...I do not buy it. I give the American people more credit than that. It is true that there is a significant portion of our society that is against the mission in Iraq...and sadly a significant portion of them who are just flatly against fundamental American ideals, and they voted that way in support of Kerry.

But even more voted the other way and the demos numbers dwindled. I believe they will dwindle even further in the mid terms.

[MikefromOhio]

If what gets established in Iraq is an Islamic regime friendly with Iran, then the administration has only itself to blame

But short of a military invasion by Iran that happens to kick the US out, that isn't going to happen.

Iran's biggest allies are the 3 reps that are affiliated with Sadr. Sadr claims to represent all of the Shia in the south, but he only got 3, count em, 3 reps in the government. Iraq isn't going to be anymore or anyless friend to Iran either tomorrow or the next day and nothing in their Constitution will change that.

[ChildOfThe60s]

I agree with you that the administration needs to get into gear selling itself.

I have been very disappointed in them for being so passive in the PR arena for the last 5 years. Unfortunately, we have been given no indications that they see the need to be aggressive in showing their successes.

Crap, when Slick Willie was in office they were trumpeting any and all positive economic data that was available every week. What's a matter with republicans? Why can't they do it? It isn't rocket science, just marketing.