A reader named Joe writes:
Jonah, what YOU need is a big yank back into reality. His low numbers, to a very large degree, are caused by the press. Negative story after negative story. How can you say all he needs is a little time away from the public?
Like the press is gonna forget they despise him?
Come on, Jonah, you are a better man than that.
Me:I think Joe’s right. Though I’m not sure it contradicts what I said. It’s certainly true that Clinton’s comeback benefited greatly from the fact the press wanted him to make a comeback. I can’t imagine the press would do anything but pounce on Bush like a wounded fawn if he tried to act on my advice. Perhaps Rove can figure out a way to go over the Washington media’s head as he did in the ‘04 campaign, but I doubt that’s possible now.