Bush Says Beliefs Unshaken By Poor Numbers--Denial?

Reuters: via MyWay.com

With polling numbers slumping below 40%, President George W. Bush say his beliefs are unshaken. So let's translate this:

"I do when I want, where I want, how I want. Laws don't apply to me. Opinion polls don't matter as those other people just don't get it." Did I get that all right?

WASHINGTON (Reuters)--Down in public opinion polls, President George W. Bush said on Friday he realizes he has made some unpopular decisions but that it "comes with the territory" and he will stand by his beliefs.

"I know some would like me to change, but you can't be a good decision-maker if you're trying to please people. You've got to stand on what you believe, that's what you've got to do, if you're going to make decisions that are solid and sound," he said.

During a question-and-answer session with a national newspaper group, Bush became his most animated when talking about the way he handles his job.

A year into his second term, Bush is beset with a job approval rating below 40 percent, with Americans disapproving of his handling of the Iraq war and the U.S. economy.

He said polls will not cause him to abandon his core beliefs.

"I understand some of the things I've done are unpopular. But that's what comes with the territory. If you're afraid to make decisions and you only worried about, you know, whether or not people in the classroom are going to say nice things about you, you're not leading," he said.

G.W., your administration is a miserable failure, and we do get it.