Down on the Ranch ...

Recently, I wrote a little piece about how it's good for politicians to project an active and energetic image.

A Washington Post story on Saturday highlights President Bush's success in doing just that ...

"Ronald Reagan chopped wood and rode horses, Bush's father sailed off the shore of Kennebunkport, Maine, and Bill Clinton jogged. For George W. Bush, clearing brush projects the image of a cowboy president, a tough rancher fighting the elements to survive. That is, of course, the White House's projection ..."

My initial thought is this: It's a lot easier to get good press when some crazy lady isn't holding a vigil outside your ranch ...

... But, of course, even without a Shaheen, Bush's critics can't let this story be strictly positive.

They see this as a "publicity stunt" in which Bush is merely trying to manipulate the media (Message to Bush: Don't worry about that criticism; they said the same thing about Reagan and that didn't seem to hurt him one bit).

Here's one such critic:

"Most likely he's doing that to show the media he's got a chain saw,' joked Larry Mattladge, who raises Black Angus cows three-quarters of a mile from the Bush ranch and built his fence rows out of cedar posts. 'It's a man's thing. Brush clearing is not only for the young at heart, it's for the young. It's to show he's a Texan."

The truth is that Bush really enjoys doing this stuff. But, it doesn't hurt that it's good politics, too. Every time Reagan went to his ranch, his poll numbers would go up.

Hey, if this works for politicians, then maybe it works for me, too??? Well, I better get going. I've got to chop some wood and change the oil in my car ...