My prediction for Thursday's speechification.

[Atman]

Bush will feign contrition. He might even pretend to weep a bit. He'll be oh-so-sorry for the failures of "the federal government." He may not go right to blaming state and local officials. He'll save that for the talking head spin doctors.

Next, he'll make some announcement about energy and gas prices. Gas prices will fall 10-20 cents or more by the weekend. Talking heads will give BushCo credit, which he'll gladly accept. Short sighted Americans will suddenly love Bush again. He'll have good new fake poll numbers in time for the Sunday news shows.

I devine this after listening to Bill Schneider on CNN a few moments ago, talking about Bush's horrible poll numbers. He pointed out that what Americans' are fearing most now is GAS PRICES affecting their personal lifestyles. Hey, we're bummed about the Katrina thing. That Iraq war dealy is a sham. But, fuck, it costs me $50 to fill up the mini-van! This is what Schneider said will resonate with Americans. So look for some serious pandering.

And, I'm afraid "we" will fall for it.

[berni_mccoy]

1. Gas will have to drop down more than that

to get Mericans back on his side.

Not until gas is below 2.50/gallon will it make a difference. This is because the average commute to work is about 20 miles and avg gas mileage of commuters is running about 15-20 mpg. At $3/gal that's about 150-175 / month just on gas. Under 2.50, you are talking about 100/month to get to work... a magic number for many peoples' budgets.

[tridim]

2. I wouldn't assume that the oil companies will cave

and forfeit their record profits to help Bush. Money is much more important to them than Bush's popularity.

[BillZBubb]

3. Good analysis.

Nothing moves the sheeple like what hits them in the pocketbook. The Crawford Cretin can start a war based on lies, totally screw up the US budget, or let people die in a disaster, but none of that makes much difference. But, you let gas prices rise dramatically and they turn on you.

If gas prices drop back below $2.50, Bush will get back to 50% in the polls. If not, he stays in the toilet. The sheeple are nothing if not predictable.

[underpants]

4. Mmmmm .... nah they are still screwed

LEgacy building or not W is screwed. I can't see him showing any weakness. His supposed taking of responsibility today was in the middle of the day and it will be shown on the network news tonight but not much after that. He got it out there and they will mention it when needed.

[DearAbby]

10. Agree, sort of like "there is no evidence of WMD in Iraq..." Then back

to business as usual. The sheeple forget easily if it is not drilled into them on a daily basis.

[underpants]

11. I wish I could find that footage of the cabinet meeting

when they went right down the line saying that there was no evidence of Saddam's involvement with 9/11

W then Dick then Rummy then Condi then Colin

Never to be seen again.

[SmokingJacket]

5. I can't picture the fake crying.

Honestly, I think we'll just see more of the same. "Blah blah lotta work to do in New Olreans... blah blah... We all have to do our part... blah..."

I don't think Americans are ready to love him again. Those low poll numbers are a sign of genuine anger and disgust. I don't think the numbers will ever go up much unless things markedly improve -- and I don't see how they can anytime soon. (Oh, yeah, major terrorist attack and swift action by Bush -- that could also change things!)

Things are steadily crumbling for him, have been for a while. None of his little helpers has been able to save him.

[Mutley]

9. I hope he fake cries.

Not only would it be entertaining, but even the most kool-aidified freeps will be able to see how phony it is.

[Botany]

6. drinking game

Another speech = I smell drinking game = drink when * says .....

dodged a bullet
blame game
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION (republican cover up)
day of prayer
size of the storm
find out what works
"I like Negroes, really I do." (something to that effect .....he will use Condi or make some sort of very awkward statement)
We must help the victims
point fingers
devastation
rebuild
compassion
now is the time to help
subtle but over riding theme of it was the Mayor or Governor's fault
resources (as in pre-positioning them for the next storm)
throw Brown and maybe Chertoff under the bus ...... this is too big not to find some scapegoats ..... (btw did you know that
Chertoff has Israeli citizenship too)
now is not the time for finger pointing

[rustydog]

7. This useless bastard will "accept" responsibility for this f*** up ?

The problem this loser can't grasp is that he does not have to accept responsibility..it has been lain at his feet by the American people.

This self-serving corporate murderer put these incompetent people in their positions of power.

He fucked up appointing his chicken-hawk military leadership and he has magnified his ignorance in Bolton's appointment, Brown and Chertoff are jackoffs.

You can judge a person by the company he/she keeps...This retard we call president has surrounded himself with incompetents and morons who THINK they are smarter and stronger than we are.

Mr. Bush, I don't give a fuck what responsibility you "accept' I'm dumping this whole cluster fuck right on the steps of the White House whether you accept it or not you gutless fool.

[underpants]

13. (hand in cookie jar)MOTHER I want to admit something to you

excellent rustydog

[Beelzebud]

8. Hell, a few of "us" around this site have already fallen for it....

It's not good when there are even sheep among "us" that cave in to a little lip-service.

[cliss]

12. Good fortune telling, Atman.

You could be right. Bush will appear on Thursday, and he'll have 2 blacks on either side of him. He'll hug them in front of the cameras, he might even hold out some cash for them, or a debit card to really show he cares.

It really isn't going to matter because the shit has hit the fan BIG TIME for Bush. And he knows it.

This fall, gas prices are expected to go through the roof. Home heating oil is expected to go up. I fully expect lots of deaths in the colder parts of the U.S. because people can't afford to heat their homes.

So Bush might buy himself a little time. It won't matter because by this winter, people will think of him in homicidal terms.

Bush is finished.:smoke: