Americans are in a sour mood. The latest Gallup Poll finds that Americans' ideas about moral values in the U.S. are at a low point, the lowest in five years. Seventy-seven percent of Americans view the nation's moral climate negatively, in a Gallup Poll. That's up substantially from 65 percent in 2002 and 70 percent last year.
Conservatives (+16 percent) have grown more disillusioned faster than liberals (+9). Small wonder. We are seeing widespread contempt for law in the immigration debate. There are corruption scandals on Capitol Hill. Hollywood no longer "pushes the envelope," it crawls through a gaping hole. The President cannot change all of this, but he can change some of it.
For example, the recent signing of the Cord Blood Bill was a low-key affair. It was a missed opportunity for using the White House as the Bully Pulpit Teddy Roosevelt called it. Congress is poised to pass important indecency legislation and may pass a tough ban on Internet gambling.
These things need to be highlighted by President Bush. He needs to speak out on marriage. His official--and unofficial--family have surely had their say. As Harry Truman put it: The Buck Stops Here. President Bush's position is actually quite good on many of these life and family issues--but he needs to get out front on them. The Values Voters are waiting Mr. President.
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