Uh-oh: Republican voters might just stay home in November

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | May 7, 2006 | By Charlie Cook

[johnny7]

There is growing evidence that Republicans will face a voter turnout problem in the November midterm elections.

The GOP faces not only enormous misgivings among voters about the war in Iraq -- which amounts to 70 or 80 percent of President Bush's problems -- but also a combination of Social Security, mounting budget deficits, Hurricane Katrina, Harriet Miers, port security, immigration, gasoline prices and various scandals. History tells us that when one party is either complacent or disillusioned -- and the other party is highly motivated, agitated or angry -- the results can be devastating to the former while providing boundless opportunities for the latter.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I am not a Buchanan. I am a loyal dues paying member of the RNC. I HOPE THAT I AM WRONG. Perhaps Bush and the leadership will get their act together? There are plenty of smart people, but for some reason, they are missing all the undercurrents out there. People angry. They aren't necessarily happy with RATS.

There is hope that things will get turned around, but if the election was held today, Pelosi would be Speaker and Hillary Pres.

[tortoise]

Even freepers are saying they'll hold back money as a protest. IMHO, this is the wrong effort at the worst possible time.

For as long as I have been alive, every time was "the worst possible time". What kind of "accountability" is perpetually deferred?

[NRA2BFree]

The GOP better stand up and do a little house cleaning themselves, and get rid of ALL the RINOS, and bring ONLY conservatives back into it. It's probably too late, even if they did. They have brought it on themselves, and although it serves them right to get booted out of office, we will have NO satisfaction over it because it puts the really evil party back in power. IF the election were held today, I think the GOP would be beaten badly, but perhaps if they got their act together and passed some legislation that voters want, like NO guest worker or amnesty programs, they just might redeem themselves before November. I don't think they have the spine to do it though.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

Until the Democrats purge the insane ones in their midst I will not vote for a one of them

This is something you don't see much around here. I too am in full favour of a mult-party system in functioning democracy and see the need for an oppositioi party. Unfortunately the Democrats at the moment are so terrible they cannot even take advantage of a corrupt and self-destructive GOP.

I sincerely appreciate this comment and look to the few, mildy sane Democrats who can genuinely disagree with some aspects of the GOP agenda without venturing into communism or being out and out traitors.

[manwiththehands]

Nobody can be called a "traitor" for not voting. That's ridiculous. No wonder nobody takes the accusation "traitor" serious anymore. Sheesh.

[staytrue]

The democrats have become a very anti american party.

If you know better than to let these guys get control and do nothing to stop it which applies in your case and mine, yes then we are traitors or very close to it.

I really don't like dewine. But I'm voting for him.

Actually, on the issues, I have no problem with dewine. I don't like him.

[Howlin]

All the GOP has to do to bury the Marxists masquerading as "Democrat" is to wage a TV campaign starting 6 weeks before the election showing who would be the new speaker of the House and Chairs of Commitees.

To name a few:

Robert Byrd -- Appropriations

Carl Levin -- Armed Services

Joe Biden - Foreign Relations

Ted Kennedy - Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Joe Liebermann - Homeland Security

Patrick Leahy - Judiciary

Chris Dodd -- Rules and Administration

---

Tom Lantos - International Relations

John Conyers - Judiciary

Charles Rangel - Ways & Means

Jane Harman - Intelligence

Barney Frank - Financial Services

Henry Waxman - Government Reform

[Howlin]

Southack has the list, I think.

Southack, do you have the list of Bush's accomplishments?

[staytrue]

The planet earth barely survived Carter. We got huge inflation, huge unemployment, soviet expansionism around the world, Iran going over to the mullahs, tripling of oil prices, natural gas shortages (could not be had at any price), mariel boat lift, hollowing out of the military, dow jones at 800.

[deport]

Southack, do you have the list of Bush's accomplishments?

---

Here are a couple of list.......

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1066122/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1096125/posts

[Howlin]

I should have known you'd have them! Thanks!

[conservative physics]

nothing short of calling out 100,000 troops to arrest and deport everyone at the next illegal alien parade will work.

[gathersnomoss]

I am in line with you.

[NRA2BFree]

nothing short of calling out 100,000 troops to arrest and deport everyone at the next illegal alien parade will work.

Yes, and we know that el presidente Fox won't allow that to happen. Oh, silly me. Did I say Fox? LOL! Of course, I meant Bush. ;o)

[MikefromOhio]

You know, when they pull up a name like Harriet Miers, since the President DID follow up with someone like Sam Alito, that makes me think that the author is stretching to make a point.

Which makes me think they are desperate to keep people away.

[spectre]

Very good..

sw

[Sometimes A River]

Troll? I have been on this forum three years longer than you have.

[georgia2006]

""This recurring theme is becoming boring.""

its happening a bit too early too..if it were Sep/Oct I'd say ok.....it is nearly impossible that the DEMS can keep up their momentum at this pace for 6 more months.

[Howlin]

100% of Bush's problem is not closing the southern border.

CBS News Poll. April 28-30, 2006. N=719 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4.

					.
"What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?" Open-ended
					.
			%
	War in Iraq		23
	Gas costs/Heating oil		13
	Economy/Jobs		12
	Immigration		8
	Terrorism (general)		3
	Poverty/Homelessness		3
	President Bush		3
	Health care		3
	Misc. social issues		3
	Other		25

[manwiththehands]

"The democrats have become a very anti american party."

Ah, yes. There's the 'rub'.

Define 'pro' American.

By what principles? Liberal or Conservative?

Free market or socialism?

Rugged individualism or nanny state?

States rights and responsibilities or the President and/or the feds try to take care of every problem and catastrophe that happens anywhere in America by throwing billions of dollars our our money at it?

We fight a "war on terror" to keep America safe or we simply manage a conflict in a Muslim nation half way around the world while allowing an invasion from a neighbor to the south?

Who gets to decide what is "pro America"? Our Founding Fathers or the Republican Party? Or Karl Rove?