Bush as pinata

I'll let the AP set the scene:

President Bush drew sporadic, startling criticism Tuesday night from Republican White House hopefuls unhappy with his handling of the Iraq war, his diplomatic style and his approach to immigration.

"I would certainly not send him to the United Nations" to represent the United States, said Tommy Thompson, the former Wisconsin governor and one-time member of Bush's Cabinet, midway through a spirited campaign debate.

Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) criticized the administration for its handling of the Iraq War, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said, "I think we were underprepared and underplanned for what came after we knocked down Saddam Hussein."

Rep. Duncan Hunter (news, bio, voting record) of California said the current administration "has the slows" when it comes to building a security fence along the border with Mexico.

Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado recalled that White House aide Karl Rove had once told him "never darken the door of the White House." The congressman said he'd tell George W. Bush the same thing.

The criticism shouldn't be surprising for a number of reasons. First, Bush is a lame, lame duck. The Republican candidates are not risking much by taking shots at him. Secondly, amongst the Republican base, Bush has managed to anger nearly everyone on multiple issues. The candidates can score easy points with those all important primary voters by going after the president. Third, the Republican nominee cannot go into the general election next year with the cinder block called George W. Bush tied around their ankles. Attacking the president gives them the chance to break with him in the eyes of the public. Don't be surprised if eventually the Democrat candidates move past attacking Bush while the Republicans linger on it. They need the disassociation badly. Given that, Bush will be lucky if he isn't the first President to leave office with a negative approval rating because he is going to take a beating from all comers.