Posted on 05/11/2008 1:02:33 PM PDT by The_Republican
The last couple of months have been springtime in paradise for Republicans: the loveliest of all possible seasons. They have been watching two Democratic presidential candidates in an endless battle to destroy each other -- a process that does not appear to enhance the chance that the eventual nominee will win in November.
A recent Gallup poll shows John McCain leading both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in a head-to-head matchup. All this before Republicans even begin publicizing the worst that can be said about either of two candidates whose alleged defects provide a supremely target-rich environment.
But it's easy to let the individuals involved obscure larger factors that may prove more important. In a hurricane, even handsome, well-built boats can end up underwater. And right now, the GOP looks as though it may be sailing into a perfect storm.
Currently, 69 percent of Americans disapprove of the way President Bush is doing his job. That is the highest disapproval rating since Gallup began polling 70 years ago -- higher than Lyndon Johnson during the Vietnam War, Richard Nixon during Watergate, or Jimmy Carter during the Iran hostage crisis.
Today, notes polling expert Karlyn Bowman of the American Enterprise Institute, more Americans think the country is on the wrong track than at any time since the late 1970s -- which set the stage for the Republican resurgence of 1980, led by Ronald Reagan. The sentiment is even more negative now than it was in 1992, when the GOP lost the White House. Some 63 percent see the Iraq war as a mistake.
Bush's troubles have sent voters fleeing from his party. In 2004, 47 percent of Americans leaned toward the Democratic Party, with 44 percent leaning Republican -- a 3-point difference.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
This is nothing more than sour grapes about Bush.
McCain will be hit from all sides if the DEMS ever stop fighting.
George Bush is in trouble because he chose to be a “compassionate conservative.” I.e., soft money, spending like a drunken congress, a war that he has utterly failed to explain adequately. I’m not anti-war, but all the reasons I have for supporting the war have been provided by people doing the President’s job of communicating.
And Bush has done nothing to challenge the Global Warming Hoax, the many other enviro-wacko hoaxes, the sealing up of our oil supply, and sealing up of the Escalante coal supply—which Clinton did in response to a massive bribe, etc., etc.
Bush has done nothing about the fact that Washington is swimming in a sea of Saudi oil-money bribes.
I vacillate between thinking the American people cannot elect an outright Red (Obama or Hillary!) but then I remember that about 100 million Americans have murdered their own babies, and more than 100 million Americans are receiving some form of welfare, and that more than half of American babies are born as a result of fornication and adultery, and I think—yes, they can easily elect a Red to the White House.
McCain can win, if he tries to win. On the other hand, he shows every sign of choosing to lose—by running a “positive,” “high-minded,” “nice” campaign. We can sure he’ll never mention that Obama/Hillary! are Reds, or their connections with Red Chinese donors, or Tony Rezko, or the abortion industry. He won’t propose anything exciting like the Fair Tax, or cleaning out the Congress of the bought-and-paid-for Arab-Oil-Money bribe-takers, or doing anything about the printing-press-mad Federal Reserve.
Obama/Hillary! can’t possibly win, but McCain seems determined to coast to a comfortable, high-minded, senile loss.
The GOP is unappealing to me because of the likes of John McCain....not to mention their weak-in-the-knees approach to fighting the Democrats on important issues.
The only motivation I have in making a trip to the polls this election is reelecting Duncan Hunter as my congressman.
Operation Caos?
And I forgot to mention: McCain is just as much in the pocket of the slave-traders (i.e., businesses who want cheap, malleable, illegal-alien workers) as the Democrats.
McCain is another Dole. An unimaginative, somnolent, bottom-feeding, corrupt, nasty drifter through the Washington cesspool.
mclame is in the lead ONLY BECAUSE he is the lesser of the liberals, which brings some “hope” to our country afterall.
Prediction: The msm will ‘discover’ someone that heard John McCain use the n-word, and he will be painted as a racist.
The Republicans have totally underestimated the severity of the Health Care problem in this country. Face it, market based solutions and tax credits aren’t going to work for the low to mid income middle class, especially the self employed, those in their 50s, and those with pre-existing conditions. Health Care costs are crushing these folks, and I fear that they will run to the Democrats for relief, despite the unintended consequenses of universal health care.
No, you don't. McCain obviously wanted to run against Obama, but absent a magic bullet, he'll find himself reeling from the Obama/MSM punches by November, just like Hillary.
Can McCain even articulate what a socialist/Marxist mentality is? I doubt it, but that's what he's running against. If he intends to outpander it, good luck with that strategy.
And Gallup probably went the the New York Times or Newsweak news room to push it there. So Gallup, what's the Democrat party Congresses approval rating? ... Yeah, I thought so.
I hear a lot of Freeps saying that the government should just stay out of it, and while I agree with a lot of that, most people are not going to ignore something like a 65 year old woman with a broken hip who can't get treatment. They will demand a government solution. Health care WILL be an issue, and conservatives are going to have to come up with a plan that is something other than "get the government out and let the free market work." The government ain't getting out and things are going to happen.
Captain Queeg will lose in November. The GOP elite and the media picked a sure loser, guaranteeing President Hussein or President Hillary in the fall. We are in for very bad times ahead - all because the Republican party is composed of spineless weasels that have no courage or leadership qualities.
The article makes a wonderful and very important point.
When the voters thought the country was on the wrong track it voted for Reagan and conservatism.
The same applies here, most here know that Bush and his pack of RINO’s in league with their socialist pals in the DNC are in fact leading the country in the wrong direction, Socialism.
The answer is less socialism and the question that thaey should ask is what direction they think we should be heading.
“McCain will be hit from all sides if the DEMS ever stop fighting.”
-
Perhaps one or two posters here, could provide the Republican candidate, some cover and SUPPORT.
Just a thought. :)
Excellent point, thanks.
>> McCain can win, if he tries to win. On the other hand, he shows every sign of choosing to lose—by running a “positive,” “high-minded,” “nice” campaign.
+1 to that observation
The main difference is that the DNC candidates are Horrible choices. Dean really is whacked. They should have easily won this election. A campaign can’t be won based on gender or race. Those are factors for both of McCain’s opponents.
They are also choices that will motivate Republicans to get in line and do the right thing. Obama certainly motivates me to act!
The problem with Bush is that he is not a good communicator. Still, he is a good man and I think history will reflect that.
I think it will look more like Kerry/Bush. The swing vote will go to McCain.
Oh for Petes sake. McCain IS the storm. He is going to be obliterated in the general elections.
McCain cannot even get the base behind him. Democrats will vote for a true Democrat and McCain will will be the dumbass that the GOP elites thought could win.
Face it GOP elites. They are going for the non war democrat. That ain’t MCain. People are not going to vote for a freaking pro war republican. Ain’t going to happen. Problem with McCain, he is a Democrat on every issue that matters but the war, on that Dems are going to vote for Dems.
It appears that way - doesn't it?
You don't defeat long toothed Reds by "taking the high road and not going negative" as McCain has promised....
In that strategy lies certain defeat.
Adversaries like Clinton or Obama need to be grasped firmly by the throat and squeezed until all the ugly facts are revealed.
McCain's pretended gentlemanly position is unlike all his prior political behavior...
McCain had no problem attacking and insulting Republicans, or the military families of our MIA/POWs during the kangaroo hearing he and Kerry mismanaged...
McCain is behaving as the "RINO" selected by the DNC to take a dive in the 8th round...
I agree. McCain won't know what hit him. He'll be absolutely baffled when his "friends" in the media turn on him, chew him up and spit him out.
He may finally understand that his "buddies" were laughing at him, not with him, but by then it will be too late.
Well then, if all this is inevitable why not just lay back and enjoy it? It does no good to get oneself in an upoar over something we have no control over anymore, does it?
“You don’t defeat long toothed Reds by “taking the high road and not going negative” as McCain has promised....”
-
Actually it might work. Remember Obama used it quite effectively against Hillary.
There will be a time for McCain to say “ok enough is enough”, and to take a couple swings. But not to start out with.
He needs to appear a gentleman at first.
Plenty of time later, for the mudslinging. And it might help if Republicans (hint, hint) other than McCain, did the mud slinging when the time comes.
Sort of a James Carville role, for someone.
Sean Hannity. Ann Coulter.
John Bolton. :)
“I’m not anti-war, but all the reasons I have for supporting the war have been provided by people doing the President’s job of communicating.”
You said it, brother. Bush has done a devastatingly horrendous job of COMMUNICATING with the American people, especially on the war. There were lots of good reasons to depose Saddam Hussein, but most of them seem to completely escape Bush and his staff.
No, if the DEMS can stop fighting, the press and the DEMS will unload on him.
McCain has to learn not to shoot his cover.
Your right.
Imagine if this Larry Sinclair thing is supported by the Limo driver.... ole Mcdole will probably say that he doesn't comment on other peoples personal lifestyle.
But you know, a person doesn't change his short temper behavior of almost three quarters of a century in one year. He will lose his temper... count on it. Then he will apologize ... then repeat the process again and again
Larry Sinclair will end up saving the Union ... and or others like him.
I am quite sure that when you reconsider my post, you will recognize that was exactly my point
This is Free Republic, not Free Republican.
:::CLAPPING LOUDLY!!!:::
:::CLAPPING LOUDLY!!!:::
Thanks!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.