The Nixon Meme
If it hadn't been for Vietnam, and Watergate, we might remember Nixon as the last liberal President we've had... given how far politics has subsequently shifted to the right. But because of Vietnam and Watergate, as it stands we remember Nixon for his deeply antagonistic relationship with the public—and this territory is being explored all over again by W. The important thing to notice, I think, in W's recent 34% approval found by CBS, is not the level itself but the trend. Despite a wide-spread, almost universal presumption that, as some headlines put it, "Bush has hit rock-bottom," I don't think "rock-bottom" is anywhere in sight. While there may be a small part of the population that suffers irreparable cognitive impairment which prevents them from understanding how W is waging a class war of the most wealthy against everybody else, I doubt whether that defective minority could be very large—no, the rest of W's backers have always been fair weather friends along for the ride for diverse, loosely related reasons. As he increasingly demonstrates his contempt for the public through his actions on such matters as Katrina, Iraq, and the ports' priorities, and as the economy continues to go down the drain (for almost all of us), the wheels inevitably will come off this clown car. W is now easily within striking distance of Nixon's ratings before he resigned—thus it seems reasonable to suppose the question to ask, the thing to prepare for, and what we should be demanding of the Democratic leadership (so-called) is how to handle W's removal from office.
Posted by George Kenney on March 1, 2006 8:38 AM 
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Comments
W is certainly heading into uncharted territory. The creative ways he seems to beguile the public has become the proverbial "up equals down" scenario.
W has also had his share of 'flip/flops' in recent memory. The entire War on Terror seems to be a partial attempt (among other things) at merely compartmentalizing his base for 'rally votes', that seem never to fail. Just this morning the Senate voted to extend the P.A.T.R.I.O.T Act.
As W tramps off to India to procure an unprecedented Nuclear agreement, and to slightly rattle China, his absence will dull the public's animosity slightly before his return. I am sure Rove and crew will utilize this time (while W is away) to delphi the public into facing backwards: from which they once opposed.
Keeping two steps ahead has greatly benefited the White House in the last 5 years.. I see no reason why they will not succeed in re-directing animosity onto other platforms again during this latest 'retooling'.
Lastly, in a country that is based on strong fundamental principles, it seems to me that when statistics like this:
(http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/breaking_news/13986532.htmOnly
(One in four Americans can not name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances.)
Sadly, to me this means that whomever is in control will not find much opposition in many parts of the country..even at 'Rock bottom'.
Posted by: Damon | March 1, 2006 2:06 PM
George, Do some research on the Leo Strauss character , even an interview with someone that can summarise his beliefs and provide insight into what a country would look like under a Straussian Neo Cons. When you understand Straus the Neocons make sense.
Posted by: Pissed OFF Old Man | March 18, 2006 6:50 AM