GWB needs to get a handle on this FAST. Maybe Freepers could help. I have a few suggestions.
1. GWB should go to the World Series in NY and sit with Rudy in the Front Row - not in Steinbrenner's box. If he isn't safe there he isn't safe anywhere (sing with me, New York, New York).
2. He should stop Cabinet Secretaries from appearing on the Sunday shows. They muddle the message and - for the most part - are miserable public speakers. Cheney, Rice, Ridge, Chao and Norton are the best think-on-their-feet speakers. Powell and Rumsfeld should use the 'I'm too busy' excuse - the public will believe them. Norton, of course, is hated by the press so she should probably stay home, too.
3. Get some YOUNG, ENERGETIC, well-spoken Republicans out on the circuit. Where the heck has J. C. Watts been? J. D. Hayworth? Steve Largent (I know he's retiring to run for Governor, so that's even better - he's recognizable and people will listen to him). Rick Santorum.
Where is Jennifer Dunn? She's an excellent speaker, and would be a good antidote to Loretta Sanchez. I saw Susan Molinari on t.v. the other night and she was quite eloquent. Where's her hubby, Bill Paxson?
4. I think GWB is making a BIG, BIG mistake not campaigning for Republicans. The press is denigrating and ridiculing him anyway. I think Schundler is a lost cause, but Earley might be able to squeak out a victory. Bush needs to get to the Naval shipyards and take Earley with him. He doesn't have to fundraise or actively campaign - photo ops would do nicely. Republicans are going to need all the help they can get next November and it's not too early to start.
5. He needs to go to California. While he's still in good standing with the public, he should tour several military bases and venture into Silicon Valley. CA Republicans could use a boost and it would be good p.r. The press loves to go to CA, which would help.
6. Take Torie Clarke out of the Defense Department and move her to the White House to replace Ari Fleischer. She is an excellent speaker. She would get good press - married, 3 small children, working mother, etc. The press doesn't mess with her. They don't take Ari seriously, and he can't get past one or two sentences in response to any question.
7. The speechwriters need to find some new ways to describe OSB - 'evil doers' is worn into the ground. Even I am tired of hearing it. How about something simple - like 'murderers', zealots, 'vast right Islamic wingers'?
8. Where's Haley Barbour? I thought he was returning to help out at the RNC? I don't see any evidence of that.
The people I've talked to this week (very conservative, all Bush supporters) are very frustrated that we are not using our military - that the state department is running the show, and we're pussyfooting around when Americans want to hear big thuds! I haven't heard anyone but the media wail and moan about 'civilian casualties'. At this point, I don't think 70% of Americans give a rat's ... about Afghani casualties.