I just waded through most of the comments regarding Bush's speech and Q&A before the Journalists of Color conference. As usual, most of the commenters were again amazed at the stupidity and inanity of his statements, and by implication, how anyone in their right mind could vote for such a hapless moron.
A common refrain expressed on this and other liberal blogs is that Bush fakes being a down home "good ole boy", i.e., "redneck". This rationale implies that his elite family origins, upbringing, and educational background contradict this image.
I would suggest that Bush is not faking the negative aspects of being a "redneck" - e.g., un or under-educated, racist, homophobic, chauvanistic, etc. These characteristics are obviously more a state of mind than circumstance. The only aspects of being a "redneck" that he needs to fake are the positive ones - e.g., rural, hardworking, honest, etc. (the constant images of his brush clearing in the 100 degree heat of west Texas are examples). The honesty part has been a little more difficult to spin.
I think that, yes, in some important ways, Bush truely is a "redneck" - and that this very important part of his base understands it quite well (in their "gut"). Thus, ridiculing him for his stupidity, incompetence, and general chauvinism doesn't resonate well with these folks.
Just some thoughts...