Bush in Prime Time

PRESIDENT BUSH DOES not want to give this speech. Tonight's speech is the political version of a Hail Mary. It's only the end of the first half, but he's so far behind he can't just run out the clock -- he's got to throw one up for grabs. The speech (in May Sweeps prime time, no less) amounts to an admission by the administration that they are in trouble. With poll numbers in the Nixon range, Bush is hoping tonight's address can start to reverse his recent slide in the polls. He's got his work cut out for him.

It seems to me that Bush is in trouble on all three political fronts. He lost the liberals on tax cuts and Iraq (not that he ever had them -- but he's beyond the point where he can get them back). He lost the conservatives on immigration and federal spending. He lost the middle (what remains of it) on Katrina and gas prices.

What's left? Not much. And when you don't have much to work from, the only choice to go after your base. That's Politics 101. Look for POTUS to reach to the right tonight.

I just hope the speech is over before '24'.