I contend that the significant, recent changes in Bush's approval numbers are a direct result of Rove's (Bush's) attempts to coverup the prisoner abuse scandal. Until this latest effort, they have done a masterful job of covering up their problems, and letting time & the SCLM's short attention span take care of the rest. However, this time, it was a huge miscalculation to try this scenario again. In a comment to an earlier diary entry, I attempted to explain this contention by saying:
"the real point I'm trying to make is that by not making Rumsfeld & company accountable, they are making a serious mistake. By not doing the right (smart) thing, they are betraying a very important segment of their hard political support (the white, patriotic, blue collar workers who have steadfastly supported the war (& Bush)). I really feel that this betrayal is what has recently showed up in the polls - not necessarily just the abhorrence of the abuses. And, when the court martials of the reservists begin, this betrayal will really be brought home to them."