Why is it going to be so fascinating to watch the President on prime time TV tonight, and how is the situation he faces tonight different than on all other nights since 9/11?

1. He has never seen his poll numbers take this kind of hit among Republicans before.

2. He has never seen his poll numbers on "strong leader" and "can handle a crisis" take such a hit before.

3. He has never seen his efforts to build the Republican Party among African-Americans be so thoroughly undermined before.

4. He has never had to take "responsibility" for such death-infused tragedy before.

5. He has never had to rethink whether he has put fully qualified people in critical jobs before.

6. He has never had so many well-meaning Republican strategists and Administration aides whole-heartedly agreeing that the White House was too slow off the mark in dealing with a crisis before. He has never had to dial back on his view that "it's also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life" — at least in public — before.

7. He has never had to be dependent on an inexperienced Democratic governor of a poor state for his own political health before.

8. He has never faced the possibility of long-term blame for something (the rebuilding of New Orleans and other devastated areas) that is to a large extent beyond his control — and which he will say tonight should be left largely to the choices of local people — before.

9. He has never had to be so deeply self-conscious about tossing off sarcastic remarks, half-baked cracks, and casual comments before.

10. He has never been so denied the cushion of his nonchalant confidence and relaxed superiority before.

11. He has never been perceived as such a potential liability by others in his party looking to hold their seats before.

12. He has never lacked "The Other" — an enemy to demonize and to contrast with himself and his policies in the eyes of the media and the public before.

13. He has never been rolled by Nancy Pelosi before.

14. He has never been without Dr. Rice or Ambassador Hughes down the hall during a crisis before.

15. He has never had two open-ended spending commitments (Iraq and Katrina) of tens of billions of dollars before.

[yoinked from The Note]