Nation: Packaging a New Carter

Jerry Rafshoon tries to reverse a popularity slide

Is a new Jimmy Carter emerging —tougher, demanding more of his staff, focusing more sharply on issues? Some recent evidence suggests that there is, despite the polls indicating that the public widely regards him as a weak leader. He acted unusually quickly to obtain the resignation of Adviser Peter Bourne when he became an embarrassment to the White House. He dramatically asserted presidential control over the scandal-tinged General Services Administration. And he has imposed a tighter rein on Cabinet officials.

Much of the credit (or blame)...