the only way his numbers will climb now

is from a catastrophic event. something similar to 9/11. and look at the blurb in today's papers about the very same thing:

While it agrees with the NYT that Bush faces something of an uphill climb, it does point out that the pundits counted Bush out once before, early in his first term when he appeared to be "bleeding influence," only to be given a new swell of support after Sept. 11.

notice the catastrophic event of 9/11 happened during a period of "bleeding influence" by bush. should there be another terrorist event, bush will no doubt enjoy the same lift he got the first time.

ooh, got a Quote from bob schieffer on cbs' face the nation.

"carrying water for anonymous character assassins is not what journalism is about"