Bush's Current Events Bounce

I saw a lot of stunned media faces this week on TV as a Time Magazine poll following the Republican National Convention showed that months of a virtual tie have been broken with President Bush now having a 11% lead over challenger John Kerry.

Quiz: Which of the following stories that I watched on TV in the last 10 days WILL NOT help President Bush's reelection chances?

1. Al-Qaida backed Chechen Islamic terrorists seize a school in Russia and kill more than 300, including at least 150 children.

2. The Republican National Convention, including the "mad" night of Zell Miller and Dick Cheney launching pointed remarks at Kerry.

3. Al-Qaida backed Chechen Islamic terrorists take down two Russian commercial airliners simultaneously killing 90.

4. A&E replays documentaries on 9/11 that show the World Trade Center towers attacked by Al Qaida Islamic terrorists with more than 3000 brutally murdered.

5. Al-Qaida backed Chechen Islamic terrorists stage a suicide bombing in a Moscow train station, killing 10.

6. Islamic terrorists kidnap French journalists and threaten to kill them if France does not repeal a law banning headscarfs.

7. Three hurricanes in a row slam into and cripple the state of Florida. Including this week's assault by the Texas-sized behemoth Frances.

8. Islamic terrorists stage a suicide bombing on a bus in the Gaza Strip.

9. Islamic terrorists in Iraq kidnap and kill 12 Nepalese restaurant workers, shooting 11 and beheading one before dumping their bodies in a ditch and showing the video on Arab TV.

10. Former President Bill Clinton's chest pain that will result in a quadruple bypass heart surgery some time this week.

Answer: Sorry, it was a trick question. All of these stories help President Bush's reelection. How?

1. All of the terrorist attack stories remind people that:

a) the world is a dangerous place
b) the War on Terror is a global war and Al Qaida is involved everywhere
c) the fight on terrorism will be a long and unconventional struggle
d) we need a resolute leader to stay in there and keep fighting. That resolute leader is Bush.

2. The Republican National Convention was a huge success. It was well scripted and stayed right on message. That message played out sequentially over 4 nights by political superstars like John McCain, Rudy Guiliani, Arnold Schwarznegger, Laura Bush, and the candidates themselves. The message was:

Monday: 9/11 was a defining moment for our country - Bush was right to launch the War on Terror and - the WoT rightfully includes Iraq.

Tuesday: Republicans are optimisitic and compassionate

Wednesday: John Kerry record disqualifies him for command. And despite the media's hand-wringing about how "angry" Zell's speech was, it was devastating and effective.

Thursday: George W. Bush is the resolute leader we need. "...you know where I stand".

3. The hurricanes give the Bush's - Jeb and George - the opportunity to lead publicly and to dispense money and aid.

4. Clinton's heart attack takes him out of the campaign as a Kerry advocate. The Democrat's hero and leader - who by the way, is not the candidate - is down. Bad timing.

All of these stories help George W. Bush less than 60 days before the convention. I predict that we will see that 11% margin grow. Barring a catastrophic mistake on Bush's part I think it will be a substantial win in November.

And oh, by the way, watch out for Russia's response to the school attack. I saw quotes today from Russian premier Putin acknowledging that they have mishandled the recent Chechen situation by being "too weak". I'd say - look out. I'd hate to be the Al-Qaida backed Chechen Islamic terrorists when Putin, former head of the Russian KGB, takes the gloves off.