Washington Whispers: GOP voters: like a rock

U.S. News ^ | August 9, 2006 | Paul Bedard

[new yorker 77]

Many Democrats may hate the war in Iraq and itch to dump the president, but a new GOP survey shows that Republican base voters stand ready to jam the November polls to return their team to Congress. A three-page-survey memo obtained by Washington Whispers reveals that despite reports of some dissatisfaction with the economy, the war, and President Bush, 81 percent of Republican voters are "almost certain" to vote and an additional 14 percent say they are "very likely." It goes without saying that they'll vote Republican: By a margin of 84 percent to 6 percent, they will pull the GOP toggle switch in the voting booth. And here is something you don't hear very often: 88 percent of Republicans approve of how the prez is handling his job. What's it all mean? Analysts say that GOP voters are ready to dig in and play defense against the charges Democrats are tossing at Republican candidates.

The memo also helps to define what issues work for Republican candidates. The survey--officially tilted "Base Mobilization Survey Finds and Conclusions"--divided the issues into foreign and domestic. On the foreign side, it's all terrorism and war with polling that finds GOP voters back the war, worry about Democratic attacks on the fight against terrorism, and think the Patriot Act, moves to tighten the border, and even telephone surveillance are good things. And their favorite domestic issues aren't a surprise: They are pro-tax cuts, big on cultural values, and worried that Democrats want to put too much bureaucracy in healthcare. Another nonshocker: They don't like the media's war stories, thinking that they are too negative. Some 60 percent of the GOP base expresses "extremely high dissatisfaction" with the coverage of the war.

[beeler]

I'm not saying switch. I'm just saying don't vote for RINOs. And sadly, there's lots or RINOs out there running the party.

[GretchenM]

FYI
Note this excerpt: "And here is something you don't hear very often: 88 percent of Republicans approve of how the prez is handling his job."

[capt. norm]

attacks on me for not supporting and being critical of Bush

Had nothing to do with Bush and I never even mentioned him.

You are now having to set up "straw men" to "divulge" from the discussion.

[beeler]

You're a grammar Nazi too? Sweet!

[beeler]

I just won't vote for RINOs.

[beeler]

People who receive money from the government.

[capt. norm]

It has been a good laugh, but I have to get outa' here.

I'll leave you to argue amongst yourself as you have been doing with conflicting posts, Lenin quotes and moveon.org talking points.

[beeler]

I have no problem paying for the military to protect the country. I have a problem paying for you. You should have saved more if you can't take care of yourself in your old age. Or at least raised your children to do the right thing by their parents. You're not my responsibility.

[Mo1]

People who receive money from the government

Would you like to narrow that down a bit

Who exactly do you think should not be allowed to vote in an election??

[beeler]

The 27th amendment has resulted in a de-facto direct democracy. Why do you think N.O.W. and the ACLU have such a say in the senatorial campaigns in states such as Texas or Alaska, where these groups have little or no support per capita? Why don't you read the Constitution, it can't hurt. It sure as hell ain't hurt Bush.

[MEGoody]

Internal Republican polling

A lot depends on who does the polling and what they want the outcome to be. :)

[beeler]

Yeah, and RINOs in the senate will make sure nothing from that bill makes it into the compromise. I fully support Tancredo and other anti-illegal immigration Republicans in the house, I'm just pissed that the Republicans in control pan them at every turn.

[capt. norm]

The 27th amendment has resulted in a de-facto direct democracy.

It did so only in your world.

Could it be you have discovered the "Fountain of Ignorance"?

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Gracious, all the Bush bashing you do is amazing.

[beeler]

Ronald Reagan had to work with a Democratic controlled congress. My point is now that we control it all, why not start acting like Reagan conservatives?

[agincourt1415]

Re: Crawling a Crushed Glass to Vote: Which do you drag her on Schards or Crushed? I prefer schards myself.

[beeler]

Yeah, but I'm from Texas.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Ronald Reagan had to work with a Democratic controlled congress. My point is now that we control it all, why not start acting like Reagan conservatives?**

Hmm now that you bring up Reagan, how do you feel about the amnesty he awarded illegals?

[beeler]

Yeah, I think we could survive even that.

[MEGoody]

I'm just saying don't vote for RINOs.

The time to energize the heavily conservative base to vote is during a primary. If you can't the heavy conservative in then, and you then choose not to vote for the RINO (or whatever you want to call it), then you may as well bend over and get ready for the Dems.

A RINO is usually better than a Dem.