George's Problems

Hmmm, this doesn't sound like the Mainstream Corporate Media at all... but the force is strong with W. and Karl Rove, so I wouldn't count them out yet. That said here's a list of things ABC's 'The Note' thinks differentiates the Katrina aftermath from everthing else W has faced before:

"How is the situation President Bush faces tonight different than on all other nights since 9/11?":

He has never seen his poll numbers take this kind of hit among Republicans before.

He has never seen his poll numbers on "strong leader" and "can handle a crisis" take such a hit before.

He has never seen his efforts to build the Republican Party among African-Americans be so thoroughly undermined before.

He has never been rolled by Nancy Pelosi before.

HA HA HILARIOUS!

He has never been without Dr. Rice or Ambassador Hughes down the hall during a crisis before.

He has never had two open-ended spending commitments of tens of billions of dollars before.

He has never had to take "responsibility" for such death-infused tragedy before.

Or take repsonsibility for anything else for that matter. Just credit. Lots and lots of credit.

He has never had to rethink whether he has put fully qualified people in critical jobs before.

Or just 're-think' anything... that's a new experience for him.

He has never had so many well-meaning Republican strategists and Administration aides whole-heartedly agreeing that the White House was too slow off the mark in dealing with a crisis before.

He has never had to dial back on his view that "it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life" — at least in public — before.

Oh don't be naive: he hasn't dial back that view at all... he just has to remember to use his little inner W voice for that one.

He has never had to be dependent on an inexperienced Democratic governor of a poor state for his own political health before.

He has never faced the possibility of long-term blame for something (the rebuilding of New Orleans and other devastated areas) that is to a large extent beyond his control — and which he will say tonight should be left largely to the choices of local people — before.

He has never had to be so deeply self-conscious about tossing off sarcastic remarks, half-baked cracks, and casual comments before.

But if our so-called 'liberal media' had been doing their job maybe he would have been self-conscious of these long long ago. Wankers.

He has never been so denied the cushion of his nonchalant confidence and relaxed superiority before.

He has never been perceived as such a potential liability by others in his party looking to hold their seats before.

He has never lacked The Other — an enemy to demonize and to contrast with himself and his policies in the eyes of the media and the public before.

D'oh!