No matter what the Bush administration does, the public is never going to believe they're doing everything they can in the Gulf. That's the box the administration is in.
This is the ultimate mommy party issue, if you believe that Democrats are the mommy party and Republicans are the daddy party.
I've had my own anecdotals with old friends, here's a gentleman quoted in the Times about, "I believe my government is suppose to protect me but it has let me down. I resent having to defend myself; I shouldn't have to but at this point I don't feel like I have a choice."
America has a love-hate relationship with celebrity. We love to follow celebrities, but we also love to mock them. And secretly, we believe were better than they are.
Voters definitely believe Washington is corrupt - but most think its bipartisan.