Article here.

That, in and of itself, is not that big a deal. But look at the rationalization:

It's certainly noteworthy that the AP-Ipsos poll was conducted during the peak of attacks against the speaker for leading a congressional delegation to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Those attacks included Vice President Dick Cheney's remarks on the Rush Limbaugh radio show and President Bush's comments during a Rose Garden press conference. And she remains more popular than Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) was when he became speaker, settling in at an unpopular 40-48 rating by late January 1995.

But Pelosi's drop in popularity serves as an early warning for Democrats. In separate interviews last week, a pair of House Democratic leaders circled the wagons around their speaker and vowed a strong defense.

"The Karl Rove machine has continued to try to demonize Nancy, and I think this latest effort will fall flat," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"I can say unequivocally that we aren't going to let George Bush define our speaker. That is something we will do," said Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the majority whip.

Read the rest, too.

Imaginary interview:

Q: "Say, Mr. Media Man, I see Nancy Pelosi is going down in the polls. Why? Did she do something?"

MMM: "No, it's only because of all the vicious attacks by her political enemies. Look at all the attacks on her that were going on while the polls were taken! Isn't it obvious?"

Q: "Why are Bush's poll ratings so low?"

MMM: "That's pretty obvious, too. He's the worst president in American history. We in the media have spent years, day in and day out, telling you that.............What?"