Posted on 04/08/2011 2:08:46 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
Washington (CNN) – Furloughed jobs, interrupted services, and the potential economic ramifications aside, top Republican strategist Karl Rove is warning a government shutdown is likely to strengthen President Obama's hand as he heads into his reelection campaign.
In his weekly polling memo, Rove notes the 1995 government shutdown bolstered President Clinton's image in the eyes of voters as a strong leader, positioning him for a relatively easy reelection victory one year later.
"The shutdowns helped improve Clinton's political standing, boosting both his approval rating and perceptions of him as a strong leader," writes Rove. "At the time, poll watchers noted that, 'the only time Clinton's ratings have improved substantially the past year as a result of his actions has been when he adopted a strategy of confrontation.'"
Rove reports Clinton's approval rating saw nearly a double-digit jump during the 1995 government shutdown and continued to climb as the reelection campaign began in earnest.
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...
November 2012 is a year and a half away. This shutdown will be long forgotten by then.
As long as Obama has the MSM as Cheerleaders, it won’t matter what Republicans do!
Shut this mother down!
DITTO!
STFU, Karl!
Tokyo Rove strikes again. Get lost Karl!
This is not like the Clinton years. Obama is not leading.
The country knows we are spending too much. And they are not for tax dollars being used for abortion.
So it’s going to come back as the Republicans being the strong leaders, not Obama.
Tokyo Rove. A man who knows the cost of everything political but the value of none.
A lot depends on the republican PR machine
That magnificent bastard is now a total jerk!
And we know where following his advice got G.W. Bush.
Go away, Karl. You are not a conservative.
Hey Karl, if you haven’t noticed, this ain’t 1995.
Rove who?
Exactly!! Democrats realized that when they passed the stupid stimulus package.
He so desperately wants to be relevant.
Rove...Go Away!
According to David Limbaugh:
Let me tell you — in a nutshell — why I believe Republicans must not succumb to their fear and compromise on the $61 billion and why my conservative colleagues should not be squeamish about this path.
—It’s not clear that Republicans lost the PR war over the budget battles of the ‘90s — a point Michael Barone made in a recent column.
—Besides, today is radically different from 1995-96, especially in terms of the catastrophic financial crisis that hangs over this country as the flames of hellfire hung over readers of Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Even the co-chairmen of the bipartisan budget commission acknowledge this.
—Voters understand that we are in a crisis, and they cast their votes accordingly — resoundingly — in the November congressional elections.
—A government shutdown wouldn’t be pleasant, but it would not be the end of the world. Essential services would remain in operation. On the other hand, our failing to get the financial crisis solved would be the end of the prosperous and free America we love.
—If a shutdown occurs, it will not be the Republicans’ fault, and we don’t have to accept a narrative to the contrary. For the first time since 1974, Democrats, despite their control of Congress, did not pass a budget last year, and it is their failure that has led to all the wrangling over these continuing resolutions. Moreover, the Democrats have not acted in good faith toward our national debt crisis, particularly respecting the trillions of dollars of unfunded liabilities with our entitlements programs.
—The liberal media have lost both credibility and clout since the ‘90s, while the alternative media have gained in both. Also, an information explosion has occurred, making facts instantly available — universally. Facts are on the Republicans’ side.
—Obama and the Democrats have lost immeasurable popularity and credibility in the past few years, especially concerning the nation’s financial health and the economy.
—Obama has been exposed for presenting recklessly erroneous information on his 10-year budget proposal (understated by $2.3 trillion) and Obamacare (understated by hundreds of billions of dollars). He has been AWOL on these budget negotiations and presented no plan for entitlement reform.
—Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was caught saying that the Democrats’ strategy was not to compromise with Republicans, but to torpedo them. Reports also surfaced that other Democratic leaders are strategizing for a shutdown because they have no authentic plan and have no ammunition against Republicans apart from demonizing them.
—Polls have shown that most people would prefer a government shutdown to Congress’ failing to resolve the budget crisis. Separate polls have shown that even independents would favor a shutdown.
—What moderate conservatives fail to understand is that there is little downside to Republicans sticking to their guns but an enormous downside to their caving. The media will vilify Republicans as uncompassionate, whether or not there’s a shutdown; just wait for the debate over Ryan’s budget. But if Republicans breach their promise to make these cuts, there will be hell to pay with the base.
You don’t defeat the Democrats by picking your battles; you fight them at every turn — thereby gaining political capital, not using it up.
PHOOEY, ROVE! Bush started this spending spree under your advisement! It is time for Boehner to stand firm on the proposed budget. Go ahead and shut it down! The only obstacle to the proposed budget is Obama! Why you are featured so often on FOX is beyond me!
Rove is right. That is why there will be a shut down. The rats figure its a net positive for them.
Rove:
1. Shutdown could help Obama.
2. Birth Certificate issue will help Obama.
Who needs this guys advice? We can get the same thing from Chuck Schumer or DailyKos or MoveOn.org.
Whatever Tokyo Rove advises, do the opposite.
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