At the Tip of the Spear: Explaining Bush's Poll Numbers

Recent polls show Bush's approval ratings sinking as disapproval over his handling of the Iraq war and the economy spreads. The protests headed by Sheehan in Crawford, the Downing Street Memo, and an increasing body count certainly haven't helped, but the turning tide of public opinion may hinge on a less obvious explanation; confusion about what exactly Bush meant when he promised he would bring democracy to Iraq.

When the President talks about Democracy, he doesn't concern himself with policy or issues of structure; he plays on the emotions of freedom and liberty by invoking a democracy of mom, apple pie, and American values.  But Bush also consistently peppers his speeches on Iraqi democracy with biblical psalms and verses.  This is common for Bush and these verses are often interpreted by followers as a code; inclusion of the Dred Scott decision in the State of the Union address was seen as a reference to abortion by pro-lifers.

This raises the question of just what Americans believed they were exporting at the tip of spear; given the Christian rhetoric of his speeches, it would not be unexpected that many Americans took 'democratic values' to mean 'Christian values.'  We are a Christian nation, and that heritage can't but influence our notions and understanding of Democracy, although not to the extent claimed by the 45% of Americans who believe the constitution was founded on the bible.

The shock of Iraq is thus not in the lies, the deception, the lack of WMDs; but the overtones of Islamic Theocracy that threaten to overwhelm America's democratic hopes for the country.  Bush supporters were willing to accept serious casualties and setbacks to spread a 'democracy' in keeping with our Christian understanding, but American efforts that appear to be producing an Islamic Theocracy at our own expense cannot be tolerated.

While it is unlikely many went so far as to mistake Bush's rhetoric for a full-on crusade, the Democratic Iraq Bush spoke of took a definite American shape and character with the promise of Christian overtones; that the new Iraq has not materialized as expected, that women must cover themselves more than under Saddam and do not love mom, apple pie and Christian values, presents a serious problem that is reflected quite clearly in the new poll numbers.