Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Even as his poll numbers tank, however, Bush is described by aides as still determined to stay the course. He resists advice from Republicans who fear disaster in next year's congressional elections, and rejects criticism from a media establishment he disdains.

"The President has always been willing to make changes," the senior aide said, "but not because someone in this town tells him to - NEVER!"

For the moment, Bush has dismissed discreetly offered advice from friends and loyalists to fire Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and bring back longtime confidant Karen Hughes from the State Department to shore up his personal White House staff.

"He thinks that would be an admission he's screwed up, and he can't bring himself to do that," a former senior staffer lamented.

Appearance to the world of the acting out personality

        * The "scapegoat'' of the environment

        * Irresponsible

        * Troublemakers at home, work, school, or community

        * Get into a lot of mischief

        * Runaways

        * Drug or alcohol problems

        * Delinquent or pre-delinquent behavior

        * Brushes with legal authority

        * Rebellious against any type of authority figure

        * Do not take direction easily

        * Goof off people

        * Bring disgrace to family, fellow workers, friends, or self

        * Lack tolerance for others

        * Poor achievement record

        * Angry, hostile, or belligerent

        * Fail at school or work

        * Sexually promiscuous, unwanted pregnancies,       sexually transmitted diseases

        * Unwilling to abide by rules or codes of conduct

        * Prone to use a self-destructive behavior pattern

        * Lack of worth to the system, organization, family unit

        * Sullen and uncooperative

        * Bombastic, mouthy, caustic

        * Shallow, self-centered, manipulative, exploitive