The American Spectator

/p> p>I think you hit it right on the head about Bush’s ebb and flow. I hope we don’t see too much ebb from now until the election. It’s got to be constant, unremitting flow until then. In other words, pour it on. br> — Frank Mauran /p> p> I am an Australian living back in Melbourne after having spent 15 years in NYC. During my time there I became a very interested student of American politics. I got the tail end of the Reagan presidency and through Bush Jr. There are a few possible reasons why this president ebbs and flows as you put it. I think the major reason why he appears like this to you is that he has a unique job that is unlike any of the other presidents since the Second World War. The homeland could be attacked at any moment and the U.S. is essentially at war. I would say this guy is pretty busy executing the war and has no time for such other things like making out with interns under the office desk. The pressure this guy is under must be immense. We should all thank God he actually keeps regular hours for family time, otherwise he like most other people would not be able to take the unfolding strain . br> — Joe Cambria /p> p> I have another analogy for the President’s seemingly cyclic engagement in the week to week political dog fight. And if you look at his track history one could conclude he uses the Rope-a-dope strategy. I think the President is a keen observer of the opposition’s offense and after he reads their playbook he formulates his strategy. Examples abound: tax reductions, bucking the U.N. and then at the 11th hour returning the volley right into their teeth, opposing the Homeland Security department and then using it to beat the opposition (Democrats and their union bosses) silly (a beautiful score off of an interception), freezing out the enemies of the state (France, Germany, Russia, etc.) and then dividing them with the lure of booty in Iraq, resisting the 9/11 commission and then watching them implode in a partisan flop, putting up with “the worst economy in the history of our country” and now that issue vanishes like snow in springtime. Sometimes the opposition is so inept at handling the political football they cough it up without any effort on the President’s part. In every one of these instances he has taken heat and then returned fire after the opposition has punched themselves out. Look at what happened to JFingK. For months he was savaging the President and then after a month of advertisements his lead vanished. Don’t worry, be happy. br> — unsigned /p>

In reading your column I realized how very true it is that the president seems to be quiet and somewhat disengaged at times.

After reading Karen Hughes book I think I understand what is happening in the time of quiet. He is planning, he is getting advice and he is thinking decisions through. He is not a man who leaps into the fray without some thought. While he is asking for advice he always makes his own decision and takes responsibility for each and every one of them.