Can you sell something you don't have?

Bush Goes on Offensive To Explain War Strategy

President Bush plans to begin a series of speeches next week again explaining the administration's strategy for winning the war in Iraq, as the White House returns to a familiar tactic to allay growing public pessimism about the war that has helped keep the president's approval rating near its historic low.

After previewing the upcoming speech in his radio address today, the president is scheduled to make remarks on the war at George Washington University on Monday. The appearance, which will be followed weekly by as many as four other speeches, marks the start of the White House's latest effort to convince skeptical Americans that it has a coherent plan for victory as the war nears its third anniversary later this month.

Bush has a couple of problems here. The first is that nobody else thinks that "stay the course" is a strategy and the second is the he has not been a real good salesman since he was reelected. But this is typical Bush and he won't back down. Joe Gandelman explains that we shouldn't expect any changes in the White House style or personnel. Backing down even when under pressure from his own party is not Bush's style. It kind of reminds me of my two sons when they were teenagers. They both outgrew it, Bush didn't.

The bottom line is that this tells you that there isn't much of a learning curve, and there is unlikely to be one. Why change staff and get young — and more efficient — blood when you seemingly consider Congress clueless, the press biased, and that problems are mostly due to not note being aggressive enough in getting your message out?

Then if you boil all this down and it's clear: on major issues there's little likelihood that there will be any compromises with this White House. Just these same pattern: declaration of a zero-sum game with winner-take-all, and if they can't take all, they'll go to the mat for it and if necessary lose all. In other words: expect more divisive confrontation.

Just think about what this story say: that even a clamor even from his OWN PARTY for new staffing at the White House causes Bush to dig in his heels and decide he therefore won't make any changes. What does that say about the way decisions are made on large, controversial issues — and likelihood that the administration (i.e. the U.S.) can adapt and adjust to new situations?

OK, read that last paragraph again. It explains why everybody regardless of party affiliation should be scared as hell. Here it is again.

Just think about what this story say: that even a clamor even from his OWN PARTY for new staffing at the White House causes Bush to dig in his heels and decide he therefore won't make any changes. What does that say about the way decisions are made on large, controversial issues — and likelihood that the administration (i.e. the U.S.) can adapt and adjust to new situations?

Are you scared yet? If not you aren't paying attention.