http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16384398%255E7583,00.htmlAugust 26, 2005
Former Bush speech writer David Frum, in National Review Online, on the President's failure to sell the war
BY now it should be clear that President Bush's words on the subject of Iraq have ceased connecting with the American public. His speech (this week) to the Veterans of Foreign Wars is the latest – and one of the most serious to date – manifestation of the problem.
The polls tell us that the American public is losing heart. A substantial majority (56 per cent) now say that the war is going either "very badly" or "moderately badly". More than 50 per cent now regard the war as a mistake. One-third want an immediate and total withdrawal.
Maybe most fatefully: a plurality now say that they believe that the President deliberately misled the country into war.
Supporters of the war can argue that the public is mistaken, overly influenced by biased news reporting. Yes, yes, but mistaken public opinion is just as powerful as sound public opinion. Again, supporters of the war can do our bit to try to change minds. But the biggest megaphone in the country belongs to President Bush – and much depends on whether he uses it well or badly. He is using it very badly indeed.
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