Political news junkies (or polaholics as my wife describes them) have had much to follow this past month.  There are so many remarkable things that one doesn’t know where to start.  This has not been a good month for the Bush administration.  I won’t even mention the price of gas!

Iraq continues to be a daily source of bad news for Bush.  The vote on the constitution may provide momentary hope.  The war continues to be fought without a clear plan or a definition of Bush’s promise of “total victory.”  The Department of Defense is working on a plan relating withdrawal to specific progress by the Iraqis.  By the way, Hillary Clinton included this approach in her May speech at the Aspen Institute.  She wasn’t the first.

Reports from the Gulf Coast continue to reveal that FEMA as well as local agencies have not been effective in the recovery.  The resignation of ‘Brownie’ as head of FEMA exposed how incompetent managers chosen for their loyalty to Bush rather than professional skills have destroyed the agency.  Further reports add other examples of political hackery.  Perhaps the most ludicrous appointment was choosing a veterinary to head the women’s health section of the Food and Drug Administration.  Truth be told, the FDA reversed this appointment shortly after an avalanche of criticism.  The position opened when the previous head, Susan Wood, resigned to protest the agency's failure to make emergency contraception more easily available. 

Although Bush succeeded in getting Roberts confirmed as Chief Justice, his nomination of Miers to replace O’Connor created a storm.  Her resume was a sharp contrast to the stellar resume of Roberts.  She may be an outstanding lawyer but her track record doesn’t prove it.  Conservative leaders, who have longed for this opportunity to reshape the Supreme Court with another strong conservative, immediately challenged Bush’s nomination.  Evangelicals are also up in arms.  Rove was sent to Dobson to calm the religious right who are suspicious of Miers’ evangelical fervor.  Dobson tried Bush’s “Trust me” approach by claiming he had secret knowledge.  After it appeared that Dobson would be subpoenaed by the Judiciary Committee to explain under oath why he knew more than anyone else, he backed off to only claim her church was staunchly conservative.  Bush’s mistake was selecting someone without the evangelical bona fides that come with being an establishment evangelical.  It is somewhat like having a degree from an unaccredited university. 

The White House staff is strained by the Grand Jury investigation of the attack directed out of the White House to discredit Wilson’s report debunking the Niger yellow cake claim.  This was fundamental to Bush’s WMD claim that Hussein was reestablishing nuclear programs.  ‘Outing’ Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame, as a CIA “operative” may have been illegal.  Further, the actions of the participants may be conspiracy.  The extended testimony may also lead to perjury.  It’s like John Dean’s book title, “Worse Than Watergate.”  Prosecutor Fitzgerald is expected to act shortly.  Indictments are expected.  Rove?

Meanwhile, more politicians are falling victim to the corruption of money.  Tom DeLay was indicted three times for violating Texas campaign finance laws.  The trail of the rainmaker, Abramoff, has touched many politicians.  Quite a few are trying to deny knowing him or participating in his schemes of throwing money to politicians.  Even Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham and his buddies are close to being indicted.  And what about ‘Martha’ Frist?

Beltway Democrats in Washington are gleeful at the decline in Republican fortunes shown in poll results.  Loud cautions must be voiced.  Although Bush’s approval ratings are now clustered below 40%, it does not follow that people are ready to vote Democratic.  Don’t forget that a lot of staunch conservatives do not approve of Bush now but would never vote for a Democrat.  Also there is continuing criticism of the lack of meaningful and coordinated policy solutions from Democrats.  One useful suggestion I read today called for a midterm convention in 2006 to provide a plan for a Democratic administration.  What do you think?