In about 9 months, President Bush will not only face a new Congress after the November mid-term elections, he will also be facing the reality that media and voter attention will start to focus on his replacement to be elected in 2008.
Worse, the next Congress in 2007 may not contain Republican majorities in the House or Senate if the current elected Republicans cannot start acting like the fiscally and socially conservative representatives which the American public expected when we voted them into office during the past few years.
Thus, the next few months may be President Bush’s last chance to ensure that his legislative priorities are taken seriously and are passed by the current Congress. Many are saying that his “image” is already so low that he has no leverage to propose or pass any laws. Should President Bush be worried about that “image”?
President Bush has always maintained that he does not look at poll numbers or worry about what the media is writing about him. Certainly, his steadfast persistence in promoting such important issues as Social Security Reform, a restructuring of the income tax codes, a movement towards an ownership society, and the war on terror prove that his vision is not swayed by polling.
Our President should not make decisions based on poll or image numbers. Unfortunately, his advisors and the Congress do. Thus, if President Bush wants his agenda passed during this current Congress, he must start getting more of the Americans public behind his vision and efforts.
Fortunately, the President has proven that he has the skill and energy to inform and rally the American public when he needs to get his unedited message delivered. The recent wiretapping controversy was a perfect example of the President being able to explain to the American public what was really being done.
When the New York Times and their secret sources started writing that the President had authorized supposedly illegal domestic wiretaps of US citizens, the President went around the country to explain that only transcontinental communications coming from, or going to, suspected terrorists and organizations were being monitored. Now almost every Democrat is singing the praise of those efforts! And Bush’s poll numbers increased.
The President needs to follow that same road rally and multiple press conference plan to continue improving his image and his chances to get his legislative agenda passed. He needs to talk directly to the American public about the importance of getting the Patriot Act extended, about making his dividend and estate tax cuts permanent, and he needs to lead the discussion about immigration reform.
I’ll admit that I used to be concerned about President Bush’s ability to handle press conferences. During his first term, he seemed unprepared for many of the questions. Now, I believe he has a commendable grasp of most issues and has learned how to get his points across in a calm and convincing matter. If the President continues to increase his public presence, I believe his image will continue to increase as will the chances for his legislative agenda.
