Bush Credibility?

After months of searching for a unified political attack against President Bush, congressional Democrats have settled on a new and, some say, controversial strategy: questioning the president's truthfulness.

On an almost daily basis now, congressional Democrats are warning of a "credibility gap" between what Bush says to the American people and what he does through new government policies.  [Washington Post]

It's about time.

When Bush took campaigned for the Presidency, he said he would bring integrity back to the White House.  It's looked to me - for quite some time - that whatever directions he gave it were pretty lousy, and I hope if anyone sees Integrity out roaming around, looking for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, they'll be nice and buy it a GPS system so it can find its way there.

To me, credibility covers a lot more than someone doing what they say they will - though that's a big part of it.  It also involves not trying to hide what is being done, who its being done with, how its being done, or why its being done.  It also means giving straight answers and not coming up with a list of collapsing excuses.  It also involves doing what is best and not just doing what those who give you a lot of money want you to do.

A top strategist for House Democrats, who declined to be identified, said party leaders are intensifying the campaign now to coincide with criticism of Bush's Iraq policy from world leaders. "What's happening in Europe has been the trigger," the strategist said. Daschle has encouraged activists in labor unions and environmental groups to spread the "credibility gap" message, too. "You will see this coming from all corners of the Democratic operation," spokeswoman Ranit Schmelzer said.

Having the message reinforced from a variety of sources sounds like a good idea - but it needs to be done well for it to work.  There will have to be evidence to back up the claims that he's full of it, or it will be construed as liberal whining - and that will only hurt the Democrats.