Right. To add on to what you said I think there is a calculated dem strategy to influence public perception of the President. These hit and run tactics are propaganda techniques to influence the mushy people in the middle (who don't follow the details) but keep seeing all this smoke and to also stay on the offensive with anything and make the Republicans respond to THEIR tactics.
I think the Republicans would be better off playing offense. Bush should have long ago moved on to domestic issues and acted as if this Iraq deal was in steady-state mode now that they have a Consititution and a government. In other words we have already won Iraq, it's a success and we are now in the steady-state aftermath phase. The casualties we are seeing, suicide bombers in Iraq, etc is just the normal course of doing business over there in rebuilding an Arab country. It's a difficult line to walk because we also need to continue to garner support that we still need to stay over there and it's not over yet. Clinton would have known how to walk that fine line. (I wonder if Rove could hire Clinton as a consultant?). As it is the success part of the message has become lost.
Bush needs to get on offense and stay there. And the Republicans in Congress should be doing the same.
President Bush should announce that if the Republicans retain solid control of both Houses of Congress in 2006, he will ask for the resignation of Vice President Cheney after Election Day, but if the Democrats gain control in either House, he will have to retain Vice President Cheney in order to defend against the expected attacks from Congress.
Then the Democrat voter will have to decide. Does he pull the (D) for Congresscritter on the hope that maybe they will be able to pull off a miracle upset and impeach the President, or does he pull the (R) and go for the sure thing and fire Cheney?
My observations over recent years tells me that hate will win out over hope with these voters, and they will vote to fire Cheney, because they want somebody to get the axe, and Cheney's head would look pretty nice mounted on a trophy.
You are so right... The Dems are delusional and truly hate the President more then the enemy that we are fighting. If they ever do regain control in the House they will vote on party lines to impeach him and they will all stick together on it an impeachment in the middle of this war would send such a strong message of weakness to our enemies we could not recover.
If anyone thinks the Dims won't go this route (or Impeachment in the House) if they win back Congress, they're deluding themselves.