The gathering clouds in the Bush/Cheney skies

George Bush may wish to call up his dad soon, ask him a few pointed questions about that one term he served as President. Find out where it all went wrong, in one word, the answer will be the "economy". And as the Bush/Cheney crew make their signs, air their ads and write those cheques, it's the economy that may be the undoing of the son as well.

Short of Osama Bin Laden turning up in a spider hole (ala Saddam), which would probably seal a victory for Bush this election. The focus is going to be on a struggling American economy. One which has created few jobs, but yet increased millionaires. Now millionaires are a nice group for the Republican fundraisers to tap for funds, but the bulk of the voting public probably have more in common with the folks without jobs, or trying to find one that might actually pay a livable wage. An economy financing an ever extended war in Iraq, one which shows no signs of winding down. Gobbling up money day after day, helping large corporations increase profits, but using tax dollars to keep things on track.

Buried under the avalanche of all Martha coverage on Friday, were the latest jobless figures in the USA, again they show a country with a jobless recovery from the last recession. Any more recovery news like this and it may as well be called the continual recession. For Democrats using the image of closed factories, downsized employees, offshore outsourcing and low wage and temporary jobs increasing (usually taken by formerly well paid, now laid off workers), gets the perception of needed change out there. And when they think the news can't get any better for their cause, it does, Corporate profits are up, based partly on the deep job cuts made in the last six months. There is no possible way for the Bush team to paint that as a good thing for the average American.

Add to the mix rising gasoline prices and possible gas shortages! Just in time for the summer travel season and ready to peak just as the President receives the official nomination in New York City in August. Imagine the visual image of the President waving to his wealthier supporters inside Madison Square Garden, while outside cars are lined up around gas stations charging the highest rate for gas in history, occasionally closing due to a lack of supply. Yep, that'll be a hell of a photo op.

Increasing personal debt by Americans must be an alarm bell as well, for eventually a debt must be paid off, or defaulted on. The latter a sign of an economy in deep trouble. And then there are the whispers of a possible correction in the US stock markets, which are starting to make the rounds. The markets starting to show the same signals that preceded the bubble burst back in 2000. Most economists don't expect any severe stock market troubles, but even a small correction won't do much for the public's confidence in the Bush strategy. Many of whom believe that the President is leading the country in the wrong direction.

One of his biggest critics is George Soros, the international financier who has decided to make defeating Bush his main goal this year. No doubt the Democrats are hoping that he can drop a few of his dollars in their collection plate.

Now a perfect storm of this kind is most likely not going to fall into place. But the worrisome trends are there and will need to be watched carefully by the White House. Somehow, you just get the feeling that Osama is going to be captured sometime in the near future, which will probably be enough of a national boost to put Bush back in office for four more years.

However, if things don't go according to plan overseas, the economy will be the central campaign issue. If it is, Carter, Ford, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr., will all have something to talk about at the old ex presidents club. How failing to address the economy resulted in a shorter stay in Washington, than originally planned. Look for John Kerry and the Democrats to hammer President Bush on the theme, over and over again. It's their best card to play and the House is showing a bit of weakness at the table these days.