"I found myself Thursday watching President Bush's news conference and thinking about what it is about him, real or perceived, that makes people who used to smile at the mention of his name now grit their teeth," she said.

Distaste of the President is spreading, according to anonymous Republicans quoted by Noonan in her Wall Street Journal column.

'I don't believe a word that comes out of his mouth,' one reportedly said.

Another quipped that he'd taken 'the W off my car today.'

Noonan's criticisms will carry weight as she was not only a special assistant and speechwriter for Reagan, but she also worked for George W's father when he was President.

She was the architect of such famous sound bites as 'a kinder, gentler nation,' 'a thousand points of light,' and 'read my lips -- no new taxes.'

One reason cited by Noonan for the growing enmity towards the President was his feelgood attitude in the face of serious problems facing his administration.

"He doesn't seem to be suffering, which is jarring," said Noonan.

"Presidents in great enterprises that are going badly suffer: Lincoln, LBJ with his head in his hands.

"Why doesn't Mr. Bush?

"Every major domestic initiative of his second term has been ill thought through and ended in failure.

"His Iraq leadership has failed.

"His standing is lower than any previous president's since polling began.

"He's in a good mood."

Noonan's ire extended to accusing the President of being 'irritating', 'unnatural', and 'weird':

"Americans...like the President to be the cool-eyed realist, the tough customer who understands harsh realities.

"With Mr. Bush it is the people who are forced to be cool-eyed and realistic.

"He's the one who goes off on the toots.

"This is extremely irritating, and also unnatural.

"Actually it's weird."