LIFE ON THE RANCH

Amid a struggling economy and near-record unemployment rates, one of the deadlies weeks for U.S. troops in Iraq and crucial Sept. 11 commission testimony, Bush's tendency to go on vacation appears, at best, to be startling, and at worst, a slap in the face at actually leading -- what he claims to do so well.

None of this does anything to dispel the notion he's out to lunch.

In a story titled "Powell Calls U.S. Casualties 'Disquieting'," the Washington Post buries this tidbit:

This is Bush's 33rd visit to his ranch since becoming president. He has spent all or part of 233 days on his Texas ranch since taking office, according to a tally by CBS News. Adding his 78 visits to Camp David and his five visits to Kennebunkport, Maine, Bush has spent all or part of 500 days in office at one of his three retreats, or more than 40 percent of his presidency.

If he loves that ranch so much, perhaps he should just stay there come November.