Posted on 03/25/2005 6:23:30 AM PST by Edward Watson
All of us conservatives know the mainstream media is anti-conservative, anti-Republican and anti-Bush. They ridicule and oppose the pro-life movement. They make fun of Catholicism and Evangelicalism (and Mormonism and any Christian conservative denomination).
Why then are they giving the Terri Schiavo situation this extensive coverage? One cannot watch the news on any TV channel or read any newspaper without the Terri Schiavo case as one of the leading stories.
We've learned several things over the past few weeks:
1. President Bush's approval ratings have PLUMMETED since he got involved.
2. Anywhere from 2/3 to 4/5th of those surveyed believe the GOP-led congress and President Bush SHOULDN'T have poked their collective noses into the case.
3. Many of those who want Terri's feeding tube reinserted have vowed to punish the Republicans for not doing enough.
What these mean is there's a direct negative causal effect against President Bush and the Republicans.
This is why the MSM is covering the Terri Schiavo case - they know it's a 'lose-lose' situation for President Bush and the GOP. The longer they play it; the more damage is done to the Republicans.
The leftists and liberal Democrats couldn't be happier. This single case has turned their fortunes around and instead of losing more congressional seats in 2006; they now stand to gain a significant amount - perhaps even retake control over congress.
Why? Because the GOP will lose support from moderates and independents for their 'interference' and will also lose support from those who will want to punish them for not doing enough to keep Terri alive.
So, way to go Republicans! You've now given the Democrats control over the US just because you let your emotions be manipulated without thinking of the consequences.
Because...until she dies...there is a constant entertainment and controversy value from this story. Just look at all the posts on FR.
Oh wait...
Don't worry, when Terri dies it will be back to "All Jacko, All the Time."
"Geraldine "educated" us today, saying that she is Catholic, as are the Schindlers, and Catholics believe in an afterlife. Geraldine also said if she were Terri she'd hate to have her picture broadcast all over the place. If Geraldine were PVS (as she says Terri is) she would not care a whit whether her picture were broadcast.
What do either of Geraldine's comments have to do with the real issues.?"
Absolutely nothing. I just watched that same interview. I don't think she could've made more idiotic comments, had she been Howard Dean's ventriloquists dummy.
The Republicans caved, as they always do. Playing games with judges and petitions and other nonsense, instead of taking action.
As long as we have so called Republicans talking about "armed insurrection" and impeaching a Federal Court Judge for doing his duty (something by the way that Scalia and Thomas agree with) Republicans are going to lose. I suggested on Monday that this whole overreach on the part of COngress was going to scuttle their decision to take the nuclear option on judges. Now that Congress has given credence to the idea that Republicans want to force a Theocracy on the country, Americans are even more likely to believe that the Bush nominees who are being held up by the Democrats really are fanatics. After all look at the people that are trying to get them in. My bet is that the Senate will not go the nuclear route now. Midweek Frist was backing away because he no longer had the votes. All in all folks this has been a terrible week for Republicans and Conservatives as we have formed the traditonal Dem circular firing squad. Thank you Randall Terry, may you crawl back into your cave.
Dumbest? I dont it? You been listening to Randall Terry?
Duh, so he can realize his agenda. If people dont think he's doing a good job, they are not likely to force their congress critters to move his agenda. Also politicians think of their legacy. Clinton is still trying to get his poll numbers up and he's been an ex for five years.
FYI: Gallup's sampling for their 'PLUMMET' poll consisted of 37% Democrats and 32% Republicans -- almost the reverse of their previous polls . . . surprise, surprise, the Presient's JOB approval ratings also reversed!
[NOTE: A president's job approval ratings and personal approval ratings are two completely different constructs. A president's job approval rating is invariably correlated with the public's perception of the economy (at a low ebb currently) while a president's personal approval ratings are correlated with overall likability/popularity. The Battleground Poll (the only poll to regularly track the President's PERSONAL approval ratings) has consistently indicated that regardless of his job approval ratings, the President's personal approval ratings remain in the mid to high 60s -- The 2006 Battleground Poll was just released yesterday!]
BOTTOMLINE: 1.) The pollsters get the JA results they want by manipulating the timing and sampling of their polls, 2.) WHO CARES, the President knows he will never stand for re-election again; this frees him to do what he thinks is RIGHT, not what he thinks is politically expedient!
BTW: I recall having these same discussions in April and May of last year (during the various Abu Grahib/Iraq controversies) . . . We all know who won the election in November!
Let's face it, this is big news for both sides, just like the beheadings in Iraq. The media loves a story that rivets people to the TV: this is just such a one.
I live in Pinellas Park. I have followed this story from the start. I am a conservative and I agree with most of the points made above. Most people here are livid the Feds even considered getting involved. This is a local and state issue and the federal government has no business butting in. Where are all the people that supported smaller government and local control of issues? Where will the federal government stop? Should we even have state governments if the Feds can get involved at this personal level? The FL legislature almost threw out every living will in the state over this issue. I'm also tired of all the Terri supporters flaming people who don't side with them. It's disgusting that civil discussions on Free Republic have broken down on this issue. I've been around since 2001 and IU've never seen things become as intense as they have on this issue.
I still don't get it. How did the Republican Party cave?
They went above and beyond to get a law passed through Congress - it appears now at great political cost. The Governor of Florida is being blamed for all happening in Florida right now - he has done everything but send in state troopers. I am totally against that. We are not a police state. President Bush signed a bill at 2:00 am cutting a vaction short. Just what have the Democrats done for Terri to sway you to their side?
The Republican party as gone above and beyond. The democrats/media are on the other side throwing everything they got at the public. What LEGAL remedies did the Republicans cave on?
I have stated before that I am a lone citizen. I have written letters, made phone calls, exchanged information and prayed. I will not go down to Florida armed to kidnap Ms. Schiavo. We are a nation based on the rule of law. Don't like the laws vote out the politicians who make the laws. What is to be gained by boycotting the Republican party? Again, I ask what have the Democrats done for Terri to sway you to their side?
The GOP was clearly "damned if they don't, damned if they do" on this one.
Because the kid stole the gun from his grandfather who was a cop. So he didn't obtain the firearm illegally. Now the MSM and their liberal cronies can't call for a ban of guns from cops...or will they? Therefore, with nothing negative about guns and gun owners to report, the story has now been buried.
It's a human interest story with multiple interpretations - so long as Judge Greer, and all the other judges and Michael, sit on the facts and control the "facts" we have to deal with.
I do believe some are using the situation with poor Terri as an opportunity to attempt a little fracturing within the Republican Party. Whadda waste of time...
"Link? If true (no reason to doubt you), this is highly dissapointing."
No, there is no link. This is a vanity post, and yes, it IS highly disappointing.
The way the dems are looking these days there is nothing to worry about in this issue.
I knew you were a smart woman when I met you.
"So, way to go Republicans! You've now given the Democrats control over the US just because you let your emotions be manipulated without thinking of the consequences."
I probably shouldn't take offense at this crack, but it DOES seem a little over the line to me. Personally, I think all of the Republicans involved did the right thing and were NOT just "manipulated" by emotions.
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