Bush's standing with the public is a factor in his ongoing effort to influence legislation and to sustain support for his Iraq policy. The honesty dip is partly caused by a loss of faith in his credibility on Iraq.

Bush likes people who keep low profiles. He likes to be the star. He doesn't like competition from within.

Well, he is more careful, more cautious. He's protecting a lead. He's very sensitive to the fact that any misstep is going to be magnified a thousand fold,

There is a tendency for current news to supplant old news, but the hit he took on Katrina, coupled with the hits he's taken on other areas -- the war, Social Security -- is a heavy load for this current hurricane to lift, even if he does really well,

Texas comes out smelling like a rose so far.

My guess is they (the president and first lady) are discussing tradeoffs between SMU and Baylor but that they remain open, officially and personally, if there's something striking enough to catch their fancy.