Bush's Second Great Challenge

Liberal Web sites such as Think Progress are expressing outrage: "[E]ven as one of the strongest storms in recorded history rocked the Gulf Coast, President Bush decided to continue his vacation."

John Aravosis at americablog is virtually apoplectic, citing example after example of "too little, too late."

Poll Watch

How the hurricane's aftermath will effect Bush's standing in the polls is anyone's guess. If it offers him a chance to appear presidential and act as a uniter, it could be good for him. But if he's seen as ineffectual, it could be bad. If it distracts the public from the war in Iraq, it could be good. But the expected hike in gas prices could be very bad.

In the meantime, another pre-hurricane poll finds Bush's approval rating at its lowest level ever.

Richard Morin and Dan Balz write in The Washington Post: "Rising gas prices and ongoing bloodshed in Iraq continue to take their toll on President Bush, whose standing with the public has sunk to an all-time low, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.

"The survey found Bush's job approval rating at 45 percent, down seven points since January and the lowest ever recorded for the president in Post-ABC surveys. Fifty-three percent disapproved of the job Bush is doing. . . .

"What may have pushed Bush's overall ratings down in the latest poll is pervasive dissatisfaction over soaring gasoline prices. Two-thirds of those surveyed said gas prices are causing financial hardship to them or their families. Gas prices stand to go even higher after Hurricane Katrina's rampage through the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico.

"More ominously for the president, six in 10 Americans said there are steps the administration could take to reduce gas prices. . . .

"The poll numbers paint a portrait of national frustration with the direction and leadership of the country, which, if not reversed in coming months, is likely to color the environment for next year's midterm elections, putting incumbents in both parties on the defensive."

Here are the complete poll results .

What Americans Would Say to Bush About Iraq

The Gallup Organization is out with another of its invaluable compendiums of open-ended responses from Americans. This time, more than 1,000 people were asked: "If you could talk with President Bush for 15 minutes about the situation in Iraq, what would you, personally, advise him to do?"

The most common "broad response category": "Pull the troops out and come home/end it." That got 41 percent.