Politics as blood sport --or why the GOP rules

chicago tribune ^ | January 27, 2008 | Rex W. Huppke

[KeyLargo]

THE ATTACK MACHINE

Politics as blood sport --or why the GOP rules

For Hollywood's toughs, the line forms on the right

By Rex W. Huppke

Tribune staff reporter

January 27, 2008

If popular culture has anything to do with the 2008 presidential campaign, it's safe to predict the Republicans will win in an unrealistically violent landslide.

Consider this:

Mike Huckabee has already recruited tough-guy Chuck Norris and pro wrestler Ric "Nature Boy" Flair to the Grand Old Party's side of the fence. Then last week, just as he was bringing his iconic Rambo character back to the big screen, Sylvester Stallone parachuted into the political arena, mumbling his support for Sen. John McCain.

"I like McCain a lot," Stallone told Fox News, with the oratorical panache of a postfight Rocky Balboa. "A lot."

Norris, Flair and Stallone make a formidable trio, and should California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eventually back one of his Republican colleagues, that would create perhaps the most intimidating group of action-hero political advocates ever assembled.

So what does this mean for the Democrats?...

[KeyLargo]

Hollywood Republicans: Fact or Ficton?

http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/celebrity/becksmith.jsp?p=ce_bsf_143

The 'Buck' Stops Here: Voight Stumps for Rudy

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4178718&page=1

[highlander_UW]

Politics as blood sport --or why the GOP rules

Apparently this author hasn't been watching the Clintons.

[SIDENET]

it's safe to predict the Republicans will win in an unrealistically violent landslide.

This just in from Bizarro World.

[bill1952]

Someone is clearly smoking crack.

[Mobile Vulgus]

The Chi Trib is obviously losing its mind.

[SERKIT]

Sometimes I think about the "Rat F*ckers" in the of days of old in the Republican party and, man, could we use them now against the Clintons.

But then, we really don't need such a squad if the Republicans simply expose, expose, expose the history of the Clinton RICO organization.

Doug From Upland is a great example of this, but he seems to have trouble getting traction. Will ANYONE from the Drive-By-Media not only look at the FACTS but have the will to actually talk about them. Forget about what is sequestered at the Clinton Lie-brary and Massage Parlor, the facts are in the public domain.

Secondly, will ANY candidate (including Obama) dare to discuss the Clinton scandals on the campaign trail?

Don't look for McCain to use ANY of these facts or tactics if he becomes the Rep candidate - he's just "too cute by half" with Hillary. Rudy is too vulnerable on the scandal front, and Willard doesn't seem to have the stomach for it.

Where are the new "Rat F*uckers"?

I don't think a landslide is in our future. If Hillary is the candidate, the definition of the RICO laws will have to be rewritten. If Barry is the candidate, MANY Reps will switch over and vote for him.

[Thebaddog]

Chitrib has been lost for a long time. This is probably the wonder boy's first attempt at moral equivalence to try to rehabilitate the Clinton behavior against their other opponents.

A lib friend of mine from Seattle who I can actually argue with civilly, was trying the same thing on me yesterday. And then he was trying to tell me that he likes McCain for the Republican candidate int he general election. What does that tell you?

[okie01]

And then he was trying to tell me that he likes McCain for the Republican candidate int he general election.

John McCain is the Democrats' favorite Republican.

[ClearCase_guy]

My decoder ring tells me that the Clintons are feeling like cornered rats -- they plan to start REALLY fighting dirty. Lives will be destroyed in the up-coming Democrat primaries.

But the Republicans are being positioned to take the blame.

[Neidermeyer]

Secondly, will ANY candidate (including Obama) dare to discuss the Clinton scandals on the campaign trail?
*****************************************************
If he did ,,, and the Klintoons acted civily in public I would immediately bow out of the race for fear of Arkanacide.

[RSmithOpt]

“Print anything to increase circulation?”

[dynachrome]

“should California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eventually back “

He’ll go for the Irish candidate, O’bama

[Steve_Seattle]

Is anyone considering the possibility that this is a tongue-in-cheek piece? The fact that the Republicans have a few tough-guy actors on their side might make a difference if the election was a barroom brawl, but it isn’t. Most of Hollywood is for the Dems, and Oprah’s support for Obama packs more wallop than all of the Republican tough-guys put together.