Republicans fret as Bush's popularity sinks

From the AP via the Houston Chronicle:

"Obviously, it's the winter of our discontent," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

Republican Party leaders said the survey explains why GOP lawmakers are rushing to distance themselves from Bush on a range of issues — port security, immigration, spending, warrantless eavesdropping and trade, for example.

The positioning is most intense among Republicans facing election in November and those considering 2008 presidential campaigns.

"You're in the position of this cycle now that is difficult anyway. In second term off-year elections, there gets to be a familiarity factor," said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a potential presidential candidate.

"People have seen and heard (Bush's) ideas long enough and that enters into their thinking. People are kind of, 'Well, I wonder what other people can do,'" he said.

The poll suggests that most Americans wonder whether Bush is up to the job. The survey, conducted Monday through Wednesday of 1,000 people, found that just 37 percent approve of his overall performance. That is the lowest of his presidency.

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Well, okay, I'm totally loving this. It's proof to me that in the long run, Americans always realize that conservatives don't have their best interests at heart--of course, I must admit that Bush's incompetence plays heavily into what's going on now as well. But I'm going to relish this while I can. As the article goes on to observe:

In addition, strategists in both parties agree that a divided and undisciplined Democratic Party has failed to seize full advantage of Republican troubles.

Ain't that the truth. In my opinion, the Republicans have a very good shot of holding onto Congress this November. They know they're in trouble. They're disciplined. They've got more money and they cheat. They're going to campaign like their lives depend on it. Meanwhile, the Democrats are going to campaign like John Kerry did in '04. That is, cautiously, trying to outflank the GOP by pandering to the right, which will do nothing but make people want to vote for the real deal, that is, for Republicans. It's kind of a drag. This is the Democrats' best chance in over a decade to get back both houses, but I have this awful feeling that they've learned nothing from being pushed in the mud repeatedly--I should rephrase that; I mean, from voluntarily jumping in the mud repeatedly. I guess I can hope, at least.

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