The Dems being afraid to take on Bush

The Democrats are handed poll ratings that show Bush in the gutter, and evidence the guy is at once incompetent and dishonest. Let's get on it!

Bush Was Set on Path to War, British Memo Says

LONDON — In the weeks before the United States-led invasion of Iraq, as the United States
and Britain pressed for a second United Nations resolution condemning Iraq, President Bush's public ultimatum to Saddam Hussein was blunt: Disarm or face war.

But behind closed doors, the president was certain that war was inevitable. During a private two-hour meeting in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2003, he made clear to Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain that he was determined to invade Iraq without the second resolution, or even if international arms inspectors failed to find unconventional weapons, said a confidential memo about the meeting written by Mr. Blair's top foreign policy adviser and reviewed by The New York Times.

In Charge, Except They're Not
By E. J. Dionne Jr.

Is President Bush the leader of our government, or is he just a right-wing talk-show host?
The question comes to mind after Bush's news conference this week in which he sounded like someone who has no control over the government he is in charge of. His words were those of a pundit inveighing against the evils of bureaucrats.

"Obviously," said the critic in chief, "there are some times when government bureaucracies haven't responded the way we wanted them to, and like citizens, you know, I don't like that at all." Yes, and if you can't do something about it, who can?

[...]

"So I've asked Chertoff to find out," Bush said. "What are you going to do with them? I mean, the taxpayers aren't interested in 11,000 trailers just sitting there. Do something with them. And so I share that sense of frustration when a big government is unable to, you know -- sends wrong signals to taxpayers. But our people are good, hardworking people."

Hold on: The president of the United States runs the "big government" he's attacking. This is mysterious. If Bush's "good, hardworking people" aren't responsible for the problem, the villains of the
piece must be alien creatures created by some strange beast called Big Government.

[...]

This episode is important because it is representative of a corrosive style of politics. Bush and many of his fellow Republicans have done a good business over the years running against the ills of Big Government. They are so much in the habit of trashing government that even when they are in charge of things -- remember, Republicans have controlled the White House and both houses of Congress for all but 18 months since 2001 -- they pretend they are not.

And when their own government fails, they turn around and use their incompetence to argue that government can never work anyway, so you might as well keep electing conservatives to have less government. It's an ideological Catch-22. Even their failures prove they are right.

And check these poll numbers from Time.

His approval rating is below 40% and nearly half the country questions his competence.

In general, do you approve of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as President? Approve: 39% Disapprove: 56%

Would you describe President Bush as ... ... Competent? Total: 52% G.O.P.: 90% Dem.: 25% Ind.: 46% ... Incompetent? Total: 47% G.O.P.: 9% Dem.: 73% Ind.: 53%

CONGRESS Voters lean toward putting the Democrats back in control even though the party is seen as lacking a clear agenda. Voters prefer the Democrats on many domestic matters, but Republicans hold a notable edge on handling terrorism.

If the congressional elections were being held today, would you be more likely to vote for the Republican or Democratic candidate?* Democratic 50% Republican 41%

Regardless of which candidates you favor, would you rather see the Republicans or the Democrats control Congress? Democratic 49% Republican 38%

Do you think the Democrats have a clear set of policies for the country? Yes 36% No 56%

Do you think the Republicans have a clear set of policies for the country? Yes 43% No 50% *Asked of registered voters. Includes respondents who "lean" toward a particular party

Which party would do a better job of ... Democrats / Republicans

... rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast?
Democrats ...48% Republicans ...21%

... standing up to special interests?
Democrats ...40% Republicans ...22%

... managing government spending?
Democrats ...46% Republicans ...31%

... dealing with corruption in government?
Democrats ...39% Republicans ...25%

... protecting the rights of Americans?
Democrats ...48% Republicans ...35%

... managing tax policies?
Democrats ...45% Republicans ...38%

... dealing with the war in Iraq?
Democrats ...40% Republicans ...41%

... dealing with terrorism?
Democrats ...33% Republicans ...44%

This TIME poll was conducted by telephone March 22-23 among 1,003 adult Americans by SRBI Public Affairs. The margin of error is +/-3 percentage points. "Don't know" responses omitted for some questions.

ITMFA!