Waking Up and Smelling The Coffee

But why did it take so long?

President Bush’s overall approval rating has fallen to the lowest level of his presidency, 44 percent, in the latest CBS News poll, reflecting the weight of instability in Iraq on public opinion of Mr. Bush even as the economy shows signs of improvement.

Two weeks ago, 46 percent of Americans approved of the job President Bush was doing. On April 9, his approval rating was 51 percent.

American’s opinion of Mr. Bush’s handling of the economy is also at an all-time low, 34 percent, while 60 percent disapprove, also a high of the Bush presidency. Increasing employment is seemingly not affecting Americans’ view of Mr. Bush’s economic policy.

… The highest figure ever recorded, 64 percent, say the result of the war in Iraq has not been worth the cost in lives or money. Only 29 percent, the lowest figure yet, believe the war has been worth it. And just 31 percent of Americans now say the United States is winning the war.

And this is probably the worst news for the President:

BUSH’S HANDLING OF CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM

Approve

Now

51%

Two weeks ago

60%

12/2003

70%

Disapprove

Now

39%

Two weeks ago

32%

12/2003

23%

If voters lose their faith in Bush’s ability to conduct the War on Terror, or at least to keep American safe, then he’s basically got nothing compelling, outside of his appeal to the Religious Right, on which to run. More tax cuts? Been there done that. More steel tariffs? Not a net vote-getter. More prescription drug plans? Republicans will revolt. More NCLB? States, including ones with Republican governors, will revolt.

Am I missing anything? Once you get past tax cuts, there’s really not much of a domestic agenda.