Even if GWB would increase in popularity, I think Gramps is right. We're not a monarchy.
Can you think of any other Republican who can win in 2012? I know the old saying about presidential popularity being the ceiling for voting support, but how did that work out for Harry Reid? Assuming any Republican wins because Obama will be unpopular doesn't hold water with me.
Mitt Romney - Can't connect with voters and failed in 2008
Tim Pawlenty - Possible, but a real snoozer
Sarah Palin - Only if all Democrats and Independents die before 2012
Mike Huckabee - He's limited to the Bible belt
Rick Santorum - Is this guy that stupid?
John Bolten - Got milk?
Newt - Too divisive
Haley Barbour - Possible, but he's foghorn leghorn
John Thune - Possible, but tough to win the early primaries
Mitch Daniels - Needs a charisma injection, but possible
Bobby Jindal - Running in 2011 hurts any run in 2012
Chris Christie - Interesting, but has said it ain't happening in 2012
Jon Huntsman - Interesting, but too moderate for some
I know the knock against Jeb is his last name, but the others I mentioned have real problems. Obama, from my perspective, looks to be in great shape because the field for Republicans is so awful.
Let me introduce you to Iowa. 
South Dakota isn't Iowa. South Dakota hasn't voted for a Democratic nominee for President in any non-blow-out election since 1916. Iowa voted for Dukakis in 1988.
.......
There have been efforts to "rehabilitate" Dubya and his Administration in an attempt to show his Presidency as a sort of Golden Age of prosperity and political competence. It might work among the gullible, but America has more than its share of political naifs -- the sorts who blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama for shattering the confidence in the Bush economy. (Never mind that the housing bubble founded upon predatory lending and contradicted by falling real pay was unsustainable!)
If Sarah Palin can put out best sellers, then what does that say about the effectiveness of the Hard Right in pulling the wool over people's eyes?
