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Hard times for George Bush

Nothing seems to be going right for United States President George W. Bush these days. His second term agenda is in tatters; several key supporters are under investigation for suspected involvement in criminal offences; and his job approval ratings are at an all-time low. The downslide began with the administration's insensitive and inexcusably tardy response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Many U.S. citizens were disgusted by their government's failure to provide assistance to the poor — and mostly black — victims of the disaster until days after the hurricane struck. They were further incensed when they learnt that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had been so grossly inefficient because it was headed by a person who was not at all qualified for the job. The public and the media had tended to overlook the cronyism that was the hallmark of Bush presidency. After Katrina they were no longer willing to do so. This new mood became evident when Mr. Bush nominated his legal counsel, Harriet Miers, to fill a vacancy in the Supreme Court. The Miers nomination fell through for various reasons. However, Mr. Bush had proved by his choice that he values personal loyalty over professional competence. Other negative features of this presidency, notably its far Right ideology-driven approach and its lack of accountability, have come into focus in the course of the enquiry into the `Plamegate'. Mr. Bush had promised to take action against all White House officials who had a role in disclosing the identity of an undercover operative of the Central Intelligence Agency. While Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby, resigned on being indicted for offences related to this scandal, the administration does not appear to be sincerely cooperating with the special prosecutor conducting the enquiry. The scandal has also underscored the truth that the President and his close associates manipulated intelligence to justify the invasion of Iraq.

While Mr. Bush has been able to wriggle out of tough spots in the past, it might not be easy this time round. His chief political strategist Karl Rove, who is also caught up in the Plamegate enquiry, appears to be too distracted to provide advice now. Key allies in the U.S. Congress are in trouble. The Republican heavyweight in the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay, is being prosecuted for violating campaign finance laws. The party's leader in the Senate, Bill Frist, faces allegations of insider-trading in shares. These developments fly in the face of the Republican claim that the party is run by men of integrity and competence. The results of recent gubernatorial elections reflect the negative political fall-out. The ease with which the Democrats won the Governorships of Virginia and New Jersey suggests this party now has the momentum. Mr. Bush appears to be in danger of turning into a lame duck for a good part of his remaining three years at the White House.

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