Posted on 07/03/2004 2:47:16 AM PDT by Elkiejg
WASHINGTON -- Democratic Party insiders who three weeks ago saw Sen. John Kerry as a sure presidential election winner now concede that President George W. Bush has made at least a temporary comeback.
Bush has prospered, in these Democrats' view, less because of his own efforts than uncontrollable events and Kerry's failures. The prospective Democratic nominee's campaign was eclipsed by Ronald Reagan's death, Bill Clinton's book and the Iraq handover. However, the Democrats complain Kerry's campaign has done a poor job of presenting the candidate to the public.
The Kerry camp has responded to these critics by saying that the Democratic National Convention, beginning in Boston July 26, will introduce him to voters at large. Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, enjoyed his first big spurt in the polls during the 1992 convention in New York.
MITT IN '08?
Republican talk on Capitol Hill in Washington about presidential prospects for 2008 has turned to Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as a conservative who was moderate enough to win in a liberal Democratic state.
Romney has attracted interest among social conservatives with his strong stand against legalizing homosexual marriage. He has not been solidly pro-life, but could tighten his position on abortion if he campaigns for the nomination.
A footnote: There is no clear favorite of the party's right wing to succeed George W. Bush. Support for Colorado Gov. Bill Owens declined after his divorce. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush would be favored, were it not for political apprehension about a Bush dynasty.
BUSH-HOFFA DIVORCE
Teamsters President James P. Hoffa's resignation from President Bush's Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations is viewed as an unconditional divorce of the attempted Bush-Hoffa political marriage by go-betweens who spent years trying to put it together.
"I will no longer lend legitimacy to a sham process, in which our views and those of other important U.S. constituencies are not respected," said Hoffa. Bush's signing of the Central American Free Trade Agreement was considered the last straw by Hoffa. Nobody on either side expects the partnership to be reconstructed, even if Bush wins re-election.
Bush and Hoffa were closest when the president was pressing for oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, but they have found little to agree on since then. Starting with his active participation in Rep. Richard Gephardt's presidential candidacy, Hoffa became increasingly critical of Bush.
GETTING DASCHLE
Seeking to defeat Senate Democratic Leader Thomas Daschle for re-election in South Dakota, conservative publisher Jameson Campaigne of Ottawa, Ill., is soliciting funds to mail a book called "The Other Side of Tom Daschle" to every one of 290,000 households in his state.
The book is written by lawyer Talmage Ekanger, a Federalist Society member from Milbank, S.D., and is published by Campaigne's Green Hill Publishers. It purports to contrast South Dakota's conservatism with Daschle's record in Washington. Its chapters include "Abortion Any Time for Any Reason," "Daschle vs. Catholic Church" and "Waving the Homosexual Agenda."
Polls indicate that Daschle is in a close race for a fourth term with his Republican opponent, former Rep. John Thune.
The President's campaign team should incorporate a new tactic -- take every opportunity to portray the true face of the demon party to America -- that face would be the slimey, scummy, putrid mug of one Michael Moore. Make that ugly piece of human refuse the poster child for the demoncratic party. Take a tactical assault and turn it into an advantage.
Great post!
Good Dashle strategy.
But I am waiting for Congress/FEC/SCOTUS to tell us that it is a violation of election laws to publish a book critical of a candidate within 60 of an election.
"I seriously doubt that the first "big spurt" Bill Clinton enjoyed didn't come until after the 1992 Democratic Convention."
Yeah, I don't think there was any big spurt at all! I believe the Dems were very surprised when Slick won. If there is a spurt to be remembered it is that little guy with the big ears from Texas that caused many people to vote for an independent, totally ignoring the fact that they were wasting their vote and giving the election to Slick.
Hi Linda, your cartoons are fantastic. I am an artist myself & I heartily approve your work. I wish I could see them everyday in the Houston Comical oh, I mean Chronical. Have you contacted them? They do a conservative cartoon about once a year. LOL
Don't worry about that. The financial syndicate that grabbed control of the Florida Republican Party is slowly being exposed. They swooped in with the theme of privatizing government. But all they have done is cut the little vendors and package big chunks of government to be contracted out to "syndicate affiliates." The $84 million dollar technology contract has ballooned to about $324 million and still climbing like a rocket. The prisons used to be built with inmate labor, but now are build by contractors at 5-10 times the cost. Florida is a history repeat of the 1920's Capone era in Chicago, with the Democratic and Republicans shooting it out with lawyers.
When the current corruption is exposed, they will simply switch parties and themes and do it all over again. We will be plundered regardless. Our only choice, it to be plundered by publicly Godless Democratic perverts or those on the other side hiding by religious smoke screens.
I will give them a try. Thanks for the kind words!!
I don't think he was referring to polls.
In a move that shocked many in the room, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey began the ceremony by hailing this bill as “…an important victory against crime.” The Lieutenant Governor went on to say, “The most important job of state government is ensuring public safety. Governor Romney and I are determined to do whatever it takes to stop the flood of dangerous weapons into our cities and towns and to make Massachusetts safer for law-abiding citizens.”
After the Lieutenant Governor’s shocking and insulting comments, she then gave John Rosenthal, of Stop Handgun Violence, an opportunity to address the press corps. Of course, Mr. Rosenthal took the opportunity to put his spin on the bill as “gun safety legislation.” During his remarks he stated. “We’re not taking guns away from anyone except assault weapons and cheaply made Saturday Night Specials.” Romney officials also gave Mr. Rosenthal an entire paragraph in their official press release, while GOAL was not even mentioned.
After the “stage” had been set, Senator Stephen Brewer and Representative George Peterson were allowed to say a few words. These longtime friends of gun owners spoke on the importance of the reforms the bill made. “This change will go a long way toward fixing the flaws created by the 1998 law,” said Representative George Peterson.
Governor Romney then took the podium to make a few remarks before signing the bill. Although the Governor did make mention of being a “sportsman” and the reforms in the bill that would help other sportsmen, he spun the bill as a ban.
“Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts ,” Romney said. “These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.”
www.goal.org/Alerts/reformbillsigned.html
Perhaps you're referring to one of his dalliances, but you'll recall that shortly after the 92 convention, Perot dropped out and practically endorsed Clinton.
The GOP needs to know who they'll lose if they hand leadership to a politician like that.
I just thought I would share a little good news with you. Last night my democrat lesbian sister in law said she is going to vote for G.W. Bush this year and so is her special friend. Last time, they voted for Gore.
$325 mil is nothing. You should see the way the developers, agricorps, big land owners and enviro industry exploit the over 8 billion and counting for their nefarious manipulation of resources and markets. As long as everyone is making money (especially the Governors good buddies) it's fine to suck the taxpayers, small businesses and small landowners out of their property, money and livelihood. Meanwhile, the dirt-stupid public thinks it's getting a pristine environment for "future generations".
Jeb is a blueblood big government prince.
Cool about the book, the publisher is a small town guy, hope he does well.
Hey, no fair! You're looking behind the curtain!. :^)
That book is a great idea, but they shouldn't send it to every last household. They'll hit a lot of radical leftists, and it will just increase their turnout.
Wait, some folks might like that leather treatment. Heck a whole group of San Franciscans will turn out just for that .
Great to see you again.
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.