Broder's Folly

Am I the only one whose mind was boggled by David Broder's column last Friday suggesting that Bush was "poised for a political comeback", that he "shows signs of renewed energy," and that he has "depersonalized his differences with his critics and his opponents." This is the Bush to whom I presume he is referring who last week desperately tried to change the subject from Iraq to Afghanistan by giving a speech about the war there as if he had just discovered that it exists and that it is failing. This is the same Bush I presume he is citing who, at 28% in the polls, acted so cocky and imperious at his press conference on Wednesday as he batted away press questions that he seemed to be hopped up on some sort of speed. This is the same Bush who has in the last few days unleashed his right-wing attack dogs on Congressman Murtha for daring to propose the attachment of conditions to the future use of American troops in Iraq. So much for a "comeback," or "renewed energy" or "depersonalization." Frankly it's the same old tired routine, a la Karl Rove -- and it just ain't got the same mambo any more.