They know the political battle for national security has been won by Bush and the GOP, so they're praying that the economy becomes the premiere issue.
After 911, that ain't going to happen. Besides, the economy has a year and a half to go up, and where the hell else is it going to go?
I sincerely hope the Bush White House is not as complacent. The economy is a major issue, and could easily cost him the victory in 2004. Especially if people actually feel that the national security battle has been won.
Look, like most people on this board, I voted for President Bush. I don't see any of the Democratic candidates as real contenders (but at a similar point in 1992, I didn't see President Clinton as a contender either.) That said, I have some fairly serious problems with President Bush's handling of the domestic economy. I'll cheerlead with everyone else on his foreign policy - I think he's doing a great job there. But not on the economy.
He showed poor instincts there early on, with the tariffs for the steel industry. We can cheer his tax cuts all we want, but insofar as they are contributing to a deficit, they are driving up interest rates and hurting our economy. Certainly, a second round of tax cuts appears ill advised at this time. Even if his plan meets his own goals, and creates 1.4 million new jobs over the next 2 years, President Bush will be the first President since Hoover to have a net loss of jobs over a four year term. That's not good company to be in.
Maybe I'm worrying too much. He and his team have accomplished wonders in foreign policy over the last two years. I hope they can do the same domestically now. My point, though, is that they will have to do that - don't take it for granted.
Drew Garrett