Latest poll figures demonstrate, for the first time, that a majority of Americans (51%) disagree with the President. In view of the variety and complexity of issues facing the President---Afghanistan, health reform, the economy et al--such results are hardly surprising. In every President's term, you run into cyclical variations, mood swings that cover the gamut of emotional reactions.
What I really think is the President is a victim of his own doing---overexposure. In his efforts to be, like Reagan, a Great Communicator, he is being seen and heard too much and thereby losing some of his effectiveness. We need a quiet period with less press conferences and speeches, a time when he quietly meets with his advisers, works behind the scenes with his very persuasive skills to influence key congressional people and develops policies for our domestic and international problems. In this situation, silence can be golden. Then, later, he can pull an F.D.R. and present some fireside chats to the American people, which will be even more effective if followed after long silence.
He is enough of a seasoned politician to know you can't stay on an eternal high but are subject to these mood swings and variations. It is an integral part of the great game of politics. It's time, Mr. President, to take five, reflect and, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, carry that big stick but, for a little while, don't even speak softly.
I think that would be an excellent strategy. Also, as Marita often points out, he got dealt a bad hand going in.
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