Allow me to wax political for a moment...
In the waning days, well, years of the Clinton presidency, it was infuriating and frustrating to have to listen to him speak, because you couldn't believe a word he said. I believe it was because he was both a liar, a cheat, and just an overall asshat.
Now, in the waning days of the Bush presidency, it is infuriating to listen to him speak, because you can't believe a word he says. I believe this is because he is incompetent, delusional, and an overall asshat.
Not trying to be overly cynical, or even negative. Politicians are politicians, and honesty and/or intelligence don't win elections. It would just be nice if they did once in a while.