It is inexcusable for the United States Senate to let this Patriot Act expire....

It (leaking NSA operations) is a shameful act by somebody who has got secrets of the United States government and feels like they need to disclose them publicly....

Straight talk like that leads directly to this....

President's Approval Rating Rebounds

Bush's overall approval rating rose to 47 percent, up from 39 percent in early November....A clear majority, 56 percent, said they approve of the way Bush is handling the fight against terrorism...A majority now believes the war has contributed positively to the long-term security of the country....Sixty percent said the United States is making significant progress in restoring civil order in Iraq, a 26 percentage-point increase since November, and 65 percent said the United States is making significant progress in establishing a democratic government there. Almost three in four (71 percent) said last week's election brought the country closer to the day when U.S. forces can be withdrawn.

Now consider that this poll was taken before last night's speech and today's press conference, I wouldn't be surprised to see the numbers jump even more.