Iraq and an ailing Economy leave Bush aides on edge, worried about Dean

[CMT]

From the NYT:
People close to the president say that as the 2004 campaign approaches that the White House is not in a panic, but that the President is worried and his political advisors are on edge particularly about the three million jobs lost since Bush became president and the so-far jobless recovery...

...For now, Mr. Bush's political advisors are largely dismissive of the Democratic candidates although some Republicans say they are more worried than the White House admits about Howard Dean's ability to energize the Democrats...

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/23/politics/23BUSH.html

[BushGone04]

1. Interesting

Clearly, although unfortunately, the best things that can happen to Dean or any other Democratin candidate are for the Iraq situation to continue going badly and the economy to stay in the crapper. Dean does probably have the most to gain from this, though, having been the most vocally and belligerently anti-Bush of the six "real contenders." Seems the White House may be a bit more concerned than they admit about W's chances in 2004...

[CMT]

3. I've noticed the economy slowing again of late

and it is bad news for the unemployed but the Bush tax cuts just are not working (like we knew they wouldn't). I think the rebates per child went to paying off debt more than anything. Also, hate to say it, but I don't see how the situation in Iraq improves much over the next year. The UN owes nothing to Bush after the way he trashed them and the the conservatives will not let Bush leave Iraq because it would be a blow to our prestige--as if invading it didn't do that already in the eyes of the world.

[BushGone04]

7. Yep

The economy being down certainly helps our chances. I remember seeing a clever comment somewhere that the best thing (from our political perspective) about the economy and unemployment being as they are is that there's a lot of angry people out there with a lot of free time.

And I agree about Iraq, the situation just doesn't look good, either for our troops or for the Iraqi people. We don't seem to have a good option as to what to do about the situation.

[diplomats]

2. Notice they go out of the way to say the WH

is not in a panic. The fact they use that word at all is significant - think about it. Damn right they're worried, about Dean, about Clark, about Kerry, about Gephardt ...

[boxster]

4. "For now, Mr. Bush's political advisors..."

"...are largely dismissive of the Democratic candidates"

Please, please, PLEASE continue to underestimate the Democratic candidates, Rovie. The longer, the better. Preferably until it's too late.

Dean isn't the only one they should be worried about. Though, really, they'll have more than enough cash to start bashing on whoever wins the primary, as soon as that's known.

That's why I'm a little surprised how much fire they're throwing at Clark already. They must be terribly concerned that he's a threat to spend this much time and resources blasting him.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

10. Welcome boxster!

:hi: I agree...the longer they carry the bravado that Bush* is unbeatable, the easier he will be beaten.

[liberalmuse]

5. I love it!

The thing worrying the criminals in the White House is the thought of Democrats being energized. Let's give them their worst nightmare!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. Not in a panic.

I repeat: Not in a panic.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. This covers foreign and domestic:

Mr. Bush's speech will also serve as a central thrust of a White House communications push intended to show the president as proactive on Iraq and the economy, the areas where White House officials readily concede he is most vulnerable politically.



What the hell else is there?

[deutsey]

9. Just hit over $798k on the bat!

That's a language that Bush Co. understands...that, plus an energized electorate scare the hell out of them.

[Demobrat]

12. I have a theory about that bat.

I think that they're deliberately holding back the money from the Avalon and other fundraisers, and mail contributions until the end to keep the online people motivated. I think it's going to turn out to be double. Am I insane?

[Demobrat]

11. Regardless of what happens in the elections

Dean has already saved the world from these thugs just by virtue of being the first to stand up to them.