In this week's "Off to the Races" column for National Journal (a free subscription to view the rest that can be accessed by clicking here), Charlie Cook lays out a number of problems currently facing the Bush administration and the Republican Party. They include the deterioration of the situation in Iraq, the pending investigation into GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff (and his possible ties to Tom DeLay, Bob Ney, Conrad Burns and others), the failure of Bush's Social Security and Tax Reform plans, and the special election this month in Ohio. Cook writes,

Arguably, some of the problems previously discussed can be lumped together in a category of "chickens coming home to roost." Luckily for Bush and the GOP, they were successful in keeping these chickens from roosting before last year's presidential election. But these problems are mounting and Republicans may have to take their lumps in the midterm elections instead. It can also be argued that while the president's previously strong ratings on the war, terrorism and national security provided something of a safety net for Republican candidates in the last two elections, it ironically could be a liability this time.

Having said all of this, the Nov. 8, 2006, midterm elections are still more than 14 months away, and things may get better or worse for Bush. But for now, the situation is bad and appears to be worsening.