All politicians are vulnerable in an environment of anger. What you've got is this perfect storm: The president is low in the polls, the governor is low in the polls and neither of them is on the ticket. Given the criticism and the anger, somebody is going to be on the receiving end of those emotions.

The rhetoric has to really describe reality, or the public will recognize there is a discrepancy between the two.

Communication can help, especially if it's done in a way that connects with the American public. But communication can only carry a president so far.

Branson is a metaphor for red state America,

We'll see if it takes root and becomes one of the issues that drives the (2006) campaigns.

There are those on the coasts that might snicker in their sleeves, but the town represents what many conservative people in the Midwest see as America, the America they want, the America they hold in their heads from yesterday. Maybe it is part mythical -- but it's the America they want to cling to.