Republicans diagnose Bush: He's whipped!

Republicans are dismayed at the decline of the patented Bush swagger. The problem: Laura.

A top Republican close to the White House since the earliest days said the absence of a "reelection target" and pressure from first lady Laura Bush and others to soften his second-term tone conspired to temper Bush's swagger well before Katrina hit....Since the election, this official said, White House aides reported that Laura Bush was among those counseling Bush to change his cowboy image during the final four years.

Kevin Drum is offended by this, but we all know who wears the pants in the family.