Hating Bush (Cathryn Crawford)

Washington Dispatch ^ | December 5, 2003 | Cathryn Crawford

[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.

[KC_Conspirator]

I'll be real honest: the D's and the Left who "hate Bush", as you say, are weak compared to the stuff we use to sling at the Clinton cabal in the good ole days of FR.

I disagree. Maybe that was true here on this forum, but mainstream, party-leading Republicans never accused Klinton of the things that the democrats candidates for president are doing to Bush now. Back in the day, Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole just acknowledged that Klinton was a liar and never accused him in public of the things we do here. However, democrats on TV are accusing President of all sorts of "black helicopter" conspiracies and other wacky accusations. democrat hate is being channeled into a hate-monger candidate of Howard Dean. Republicans did not do the same and nominated the pleasant Bob Dole. Plus I don't remember the equivalent of the Hollywood "Hate Bush" meeting.

[Scenic Sounds]

Now, some of the cynics I hang out with think bin Laden or Hussein will be captured somewhere between August and November of next year. I hang out with a rough crowd.

I think that would be great!! Catch 'em together and we can sew up the doubts about them having been connected!!

[KC_Conspirator]

Good article, but Austin is not a Bush stronghold, or any leftist college town for that matter. Try an area with more taxpayers.

[dwd1]

If they are caught together, that would be very interesting.
We will find out if there is truly honor among thieves....

BTW, I was referring to them being (or not being)captured for political purposes....

Think of how what a hard time Bush is going to have getting re-elected if these guys are caught at that particular time... Hard to lose the Presidency with a 90% approval rating...

[suzyq5558]

It sounds to me like you did what most of us do ,grow up;)
and the kudo's for welfare reform should have gone to the republicans. they basically forced clinton to sign onto the reforms IMHO.

[Scenic Sounds]

BTW, I was referring to them being (or not being)captured for political purposes

That won't happen, of course, but sometimes fortune smiles on us, you know.

[dwd1]

I like your optimism... Hope you are right....

And you are right... Without the security guard of the Watergate Hotel, Deepthroat(not Linda Lovelace), the Blue Dress, who knows where we might be right now?

[thesummerwind]

It does seem to be the main policy point..Hate Bush.

Yes it seems to be the main policy point among many of them. And, it will bury them if they continue.

I'm just worried about all the TV and radio ads that Soros and others are going to fill the heads of Americans with in the next eleven months. They are very motivated ---- by hate. It's frightening.

This is going to be a war, even worse than the "Seven Weeks of Hell" in 2000! Please get out in your neighborhoods directly before next year's election, and try to change some minds of those on the fence. Just changing the minds of a few in your neighborhoods, all over the country, could make the difference. Afterall, the TRUTH is on our side!!!

[international american]

"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.

The Dems hatred for Bush is so palpable, so profound that they will once again, kick themselves! Life is good, and so is your article.
Best, IA

[tkathy]

IMHO all this "hate Bush" rhetoric is a phoney put on from the liberal Hollywood media elites. Most people either like him or at least tolerate him. (Conservative talk show hosts are helping contribute to the myth).

[international american]

" Afterall, the TRUTH is on our side!!!"

Yes, and don't forget Dubya is raising a few modest dollars
to counter the mooks:)

[dwd1]

Was the part of the Contract with America

[FrankR]

"Baseball is a national pastime. "Hating" Bush is practiced by a small, albeit shrill, group of naysayers. Kind of like saying tiddlywinks is a national pastime or an olympic event."

I agree.
>
I think if we drag out the red/blue map from the 2000 election, the Bush areas then, are still the Bush areas now.

It is - as you said - a small group raising all the ruckus, aided and abeted by 3 TV networks and a handful of liberal commentators.

If there is one thing I learned in 15 years in the Radio business, it's that when people say "everyone is DOING it"...what they mean is "everyone is HEARING it..." from the media. Of course, we used that line to overcome sales objections when we sold advertising and the client said "word of mouth" was the best way to advertise...but it works with news as well.

IMHO, anyone worried about not being "cool" if the "don't hate Bush", is a liberal anyway...they are totally obsessed with "coolness". Mature people do not let the level of their "cool image" conflict with what is best for themselves or their country.

[suzyq5558]

John.we threw everything including the outhouse at him.isnt that what you meant?:) man those were my first day's here at FR.
I would sure feel better after i came here and ranted about that disgrace of a man for a couple of hours. but iam also glad that sense and diginity reigns again at 1600 instead of green acres.

[JohnGalt]

Thank you.

I was starting to feel like an old geezer on this thread.

Spot on comments.

[Scenic Sounds]

I like your optimism... Hope you are right....

And you are right... Without the security guard of the Watergate Hotel, Deepthroat(not Linda Lovelace), the Blue Dress, who knows where we might be right now?

Well, that's the secret of my optimism. Without all those events, I think I'd still be right here this morning posting to you. ;-)

[Scenic Sounds]

IMHO all this "hate Bush" rhetoric is a phoney put on from the liberal Hollywood media elites. Most people either like him or at least tolerate him. (Conservative talk show hosts are helping contribute to the myth).

That's a good point. And, who cares if other people defeat themselves with hatred, right? The important thing is that you and I don't get stuck in that dreary alley!!! ;-)

[MEG33]

Sarcasm ,notice the/s! There will be a frost warning in hades before Laura would act like Hillary!I've visited all the suspect sites.I also follow their parent sites.There are socialists involved,Marxist,not a surprise.

[dwd1]

I don't know if Hillary and Laura are a fair comparison. A fairer comparison would be Elizabeth Dole and Hillary Clinton. Notice that they are now both in the Senate.... Different agendas and beliefs but both very ambitious...

[MEG33]

Please note my latest post.I was being absurd.Notice my/s for sarcasm!