From an ultra conservative that is 100% behind President Bush's foreign policy: IF I VOTE, I will have to hold my nose and pull the Bush lever. His domestic policies suck, to put it mildly. How a "conservative" can do all of the idiotic things that Bush is doing is beyond my comprehension, i.e. Budget busting, CFR, Kennedy's Education crap, BENDING OVER AND GRABBING HIS ANKLES FOR ILLEGALimmigrants and on and on and on. What part of illegal doesn't he understand? Can anyone explain this idiocy?
Yes, I believe I can explain it.
The Bush camp believes that all conservatives will do exactly as you will. Hold their nose and pull the lever. A vote if a vote is a vote ... whether enthusiastic or not.
And, he may also pick up a couple of percentage points of the hispanic votes on top of it.
Thus, they feel it will result in a net increase in his amount of votes.
I mean, what are you going to do? Vote for a third party? Pull the lever for Kerry?
Heck, GWB could nominate Vicente Fox as his running mate and you'd still have to vote for him ... because you are a Republican, and you have no choice.
That is the way the idiocy is explained.
Hope this helps.
Am willing to bet that Rove and Gilespie simply calculated what percentage of GOPers were kool aiders, who weren't and how far they could pander and spend before it had any serious negative effect. A few quick mathematical formulas could probably come quite close to the mark. Smart politics but VERY cynical towards his core supporters. Its an action reminiscent of a husband figuring he can cheat on his wife to the point that she'll still stick around.
Heck, GWB could nominate Vicente Fox as his running mate and you'd still have to vote for him ... because you are a Republican, and you have no choice. That is the way the idiocy is explained.
The tragedy is that you're right. damn, just damn.