Posted on 12/05/2003 8:26:01 AM PST by Scenic Sounds
Hating President Bush has become a national pastime. It seems almost funny, how one man can stir up the ire of so many people. There are all sorts of reasons to hate the President. When BestandWorst.com asked their readers why they hate Bush, there were all sorts of reasons, which ranged from “because he fits way too many anti-Christ proficiencies, seriously”, to. “No, the question is - who would let an ugly monkey rule a nation?” Now, these are funny – somewhat because of the ignorance (a President doesn’t rule a nation), and somewhat because of the wording (ugly monkey?).
But, seriously, Democrats – especially those who are running for President in 2004 - love this outpouring of rage, and they’re quick to do their best to channel it. There are “I hate Bush” bumper stickers, t-shirts, underwear. There are myriad websites devoted to the subject. There was even a recent Bush-hating conference held in Hollywood. The Democrats want as many people as possible to think it’s cool to hate Bush, and they’re pushing it as hard as possible.
However, is their policy of hate actually going to win them any votes in 2004? Sure, there are the die-hard, “yellow dog” Democrats, (as we call them in the South). But these guys don’t just hate Bush – they hate Republicans in general. Actually, they hate Independents and Greens and Libertarians, too – everyone but Democrats. A hate-Bush policy isn’t likely to affect them one way or another. They’re going to vote the same way they always do.
Then there is that elusive group of middle-ground voters. This is an eclectic group. Contained here are the so-called soccer moms, the white Southern guys with the Confederate flags hanging in their trucks, the college students who are trying to figure out who is who and what ideology fits them best. These are the people that are truly struggling (for the most part) to make the right decision. Most have already formed opinions about which political party they agree with, and most tend to vote one way or another on a regular basis. However, these are the people that the Democrats are struggling to plug into the electricity of their rage and ire against the President.
Democrats, however, don’t seem to understand how silly, futile and powerless this attitude makes them look. Most people do not respond well to purely reactionary policies, but that’s what the Democrats are using. There doesn’t seem to be a unified plan among them; there’s just a lot of smoke and hot air and rage and screaming. It makes one wonder if the Democrats would exist were Bush not in office. They have become the party of the anti-Bush – the party that isn’t the Republicans.
I have to admit – I’m not one of those people that want the Democrats to just vanish from sight, though I sympathize with those who do. As in economics, a little competition usually improves the quality of the end result. However, Democrats are marketing themselves so badly lately that it’s not even a competition anymore – it’s like watching a big man finally kick the crap out of the dog that’s been nipping its heels. You feel a bit sorry for the dog, but you thoroughly enjoy watching. And so it is now. Politics is about practicality. If the Democrats think that hating Bush is going to win those votes, they’re going to continue to push that policy as hard as they can, even when it means getting kicked. It didn’t work in 2000, it backfired horribly in 2002, but they simply can’t learn their lesson. Maybe they need another kick.
Cathryn Crawford is a student at the University of Texas. She can be reached with questions or comments at CathrynCrawford@WashingtonDispatch.com.
True not only in radio, but in parenting as well. I don't know how many time's I've heard my daughter say that.
Those guys might vote for a third party candidate, but I don't think they are real likely to vote Democratic.
"Never trust a dog to guard your food."
LOL. There's some wisdom in that.
You know, it's funny - a lot of people think I'm just kidding when I say that people who abuse dogs should be fed to dogs.
But Bluebelle knows how I feel!! ;-)
Wrong side of the bed this morning?
And I'm not taking sh!t for granted you overbearing twit.
Ummm...OK.
Listen my friend...I meant no ill-will, I didn't think I was making any derogatory statements about you, nor did I mean to lecture you in any way. My point was this...while many people, both politically active and not so politically active, have been disgusted by the clinton administration and its whoring of the White House; have turned away from the democrat party and have more conservative leanings as a result, we, as conservatives, must not make light of the evil that stems from the democrat party. We must not gloat and underestimate the enemy. The facts are clear...we have nothing to gloat about...GWB won by a slim margin. We shouldnt fool ourselves. The democrats will do anything to stay in/regain power...anything. General Patton summed up very well what I believe is the attitude conservatives must have regarding the democrats: "Now, there's another thing I want you to remember. I don't want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position. We're not holding anything. Let the hun do that. We are advancing constantly and we're not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy! We're going to hold on to him by the nose, and we're gonna kick 'em in the ass! We're gonna advance on them all the time, and go thru them like crap through a goose!
Regardless, do you disagree that Conservatism is on the upswing?
I do not disagree. Conservatism is on the rise.
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