Bill Frist is having a tough time these days. His medical ethics are being questioned. His nuclear option is in serious jeopardy. Things are so bad that his fellow Republicans are already beginning to run for his leadership spot.

Why is all of this happening? Because of his focus on running for President instead of presiding over the Senate. As Forward's E.J. Kessler notes, even that's not going well.

Dr. Deadly: No one in Washington accuses Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of having a hopping personality. But the GOP presidential hopeful from Tennessee, a heart transplant surgeon, really needs to give a jolt to his stump skills, if a speech he gave at the Republican Jewish Coalition's winter meeting earlier this month is any indication. The address flat-lined, according to several Republicans to whom we spoke. "People were shocked at how bad it was," said one Republican, who for obvious reasons will remain nameless. "He was poorly prepared and a poor speaker.... People were turned off. There were some major-league fund raisers in that room." RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks did not return a call seeking comment by press time. Frist protégé Michael Lebovitz, who did not attend the speech, said that Frist "is committed to a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and is working hard as Senate majority leader to that end."

It flat-lined? People were shocked at how bad it was? If Frist continues to drop the ball, who are the ultra-conservatives going to turn to in the 2008 primaries? Santorum? He could easily lose this year. Brownback? The guy has the charisma of the man who previously held his seat -- Bob Dole. Newt Gingrich? Tom Coburn? James Dobson?