I originally diaried the concept of Bush as a lame duck on November 5th. Not much support for the concept at the time, but I think it has come to pass. He did not have two years to run the table. Instead, he was at his highest point of popularity when re-elected and has been dropping ever since. Near zero post election bounce. Almost no one who voted against him has changed their minds.
Of those who voted for him, many certainly didn't vote for Social security cuts, Delay running Congress, intervention in end of life situations by the Feds, etc. Each time Bush panders to the far right, he loses more of the center. Those voters may not long for a Kerry win, but they are not 100%, whatever-he-wants Bush supporters. Can he stack the Supreme Court? Can he get Bolton approved? That he finally held a press conference was a sign of desperation, not strength.