The Leadership Factor

From the moment George Bush got to Ground Zero after September 11, threw his arm around a fireman and grabbed a bullhorn, the president who had squeaked to victory by a Supreme Court ruling found his theme: leadership. Love him or hate him, for a long stretch that followed, Americans overwhelmingly agreed that this was a president who was leading.

Four years later, events, policies and missteps have scraped a lot of shine off George Bush's strong suit. Support in the polls has plummeted. Last night, the president stood in New Orleans, working to pull back the mantle of leadership.

Hear about Bush's leadership in the aftermath of Katrina.

Guests:

Evan Thomas, reporter and Assistant Managing Edtor of Newsweek

Mona Charen, syndicated columnist, author of "Do-Gooders: How Liberals Hurt Those They Claim to Help (and the Rest of Us)"

Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation magazine

Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst