Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Democrats Worry War Aids Bush in Election
Yahoo! News ^ | 5/15/03 | Ron Fournier - AP

Posted on 05/15/2003 5:58:59 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

WASHINGTON -

Jennifer Mann flipped from channel to channel for the latest news about the terrorist bombings in Saudi Arabia, an exercise in frustration for the Democratic state legislator from Pennsylvania.

"Everywhere I turned, there was President Bush (news - web sites)," she said with a sigh.

Mann, a rising star in the Democratic Party's moderate wing, recalled her Tuesday night TV vigil to explain why the Republican president retains high approval ratings despite a sluggish economy and polls that show widespread doubts about his tax-cutting recipes.

"He was on every channel talking about getting the bad guys who did this and how we're going to track them down and kill them," she said. "He's done a very effective job at turning people's attention away from the economy and playing to people's emotions."

Mann's lament was echoed by several other party leaders as they emerged Wednesday from closed-door strategy sessions staged by the Democratic Leadership Council. The centrist organization helped former President Clinton (news - web sites) climb from the Arkansas Statehouse to the White House.

The Democrats urged their party's presidential candidates to make the economy — not terrorism — the prevailing issue in 2004. They said the trick is to cast America's economic woes as a dire national security concern while questioning Bush's efforts to improve homeland security.

"We cannot concede international issues to George Bush. We can't do it. And right now, I'm not sure any Democratic candidate has stepped up to the plate," said Michael Coleman, the first Democratic mayor of Columbus, Ohio, in 32 years.

"I think we have to show we are tough on national security," said Ken Cheuvront, a state senator in Arizona, which has the potential of becoming a key state in the race for nomination delegates. "And I don't think our (presidential candidates) have shown that yet."

Some have tried, but in a field of nine candidates they get little notice.

Sen. Bob Graham (news, bio, voting record) of Florida has criticized Bush's anti-terrorism efforts since the start of his presidential campaign. "Al-Qaida was on the ropes 12 to 14 months ago, but we didn't pursue the war in Afghanistan (news - web sites) to its conclusion and break al-Qaida's backbone," he said after Tuesday's deadly car bomb attacks in Riyadh.

Clinton, who spoke to the DLC in private Wednesday, said the 2004 Democratic candidates must incorporate strong positions on national security as they spell out why they are running for president.

"I think on balance they're doing pretty well," the former president said in an interview with The Associated Press. "They need to keep making their philosophy clear."

The DLC members warmly embraced Clinton, and said his campaigns are a model for this year's Democratic presidential crop.

Coleman, the Columbus mayor, said the former president made security the philosophical centerpiece of his 1992 campaign against Bush's father by promising more jobs, better health care and safer streets.

"Security means something different today," the mayor said, "but Democrats can still make it their issue."

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, national security is a top issue — one that normally favors Republicans, the mayor said. But just as Clinton borrowed the Republican's anti-crime message in the 1990s, the right Democratic message can steal Bush's thunder, Coleman said.

"President Reagan asked, `Are you better off than you were four years ago?' That is not the question now. The question is, will you be any more secure four years from now under Bush? Security means safe from terrorism. But it also means economic security. It also means homeland security. It also means security in your neighborhoods, from crime."

"Bush is vulnerable across the board," the mayor said.

He said Democrats should criticize Bush's failure get states and cities more money to improve the front lines of terrorism defense — police and fire departments, as well as other emergency services.

Mann, in her second term as a lawmaker in Pennsylvania, said Democrats can "break even on foreign policy" by talking just as tough against as Bush and, eventually, the economy will emerge as the key issue.

"Every election is about people's pocketbooks," Mann said.

That's why TV footage of a vengeance-seeking Bush did not dim her hopes for a Democratic president in 2005, she said. "Actually, I admired it. Acts like the Saudi bombing cannot be tolerated and we must do everything we can to stop them and bring those who harm us to justice," Mann said.

"There's no doubt that Bush is good at talking about our fears, but the time will come when people will look at the lost jobs, the higher deficit and this economic mess," she said.

"We're just not there yet."




TOPICS: Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aids; bush; democrats; election; gwb2004; iraqifreedom; worrywar; worrywarts
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last

1 posted on 05/15/2003 5:59:00 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Waaaaaaaaaaaaah Al Qaeda is President's Bush's greatest recruiting tool. They have to bomb someplace every three months. What are they trying to do - to get President Bush re-elected?? Give us Baghdad Bob! Helppppp!!!
2 posted on 05/15/2003 6:01:59 PM PDT by goldstategop ( In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
imagine that! -- democrats worry that the war might aid bush in the 2004 election. (/s)

coming back and going to college after the vietnam war, using my g.i. bill, a feminist university staff member my age bragged that those who didn't go into the military were more intelligent than veterans!
3 posted on 05/15/2003 6:03:52 PM PDT by liberalnot (what democrats fear the most is democracy .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Duplicate post.
4 posted on 05/15/2003 6:04:53 PM PDT by expatpat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
The Democrats urged their party's presidential candidates to make the economy — not terrorism — the prevailing issue in 2004.

The dirty little secret that the Dems are trying hard to avoid is that the economy is improving. Look at the "Help Wanted" ads in your local paper. They are getting thicker and thicker by the week.

There are jobs out there for anyone who wants one.

5 posted on 05/15/2003 6:06:35 PM PDT by Drew68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Mann, a rising star in the Democratic Party's moderate wing

No doubt she only defends abortion-on-demand through the first 10 or 11 months of pregnancy.

6 posted on 05/15/2003 6:06:35 PM PDT by madprof98
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: madprof98
I doubt Jennifer Mann is a DINO like Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Otherwise you'd hear her be willing to vote for cutting taxes.
7 posted on 05/15/2003 6:08:56 PM PDT by goldstategop ( In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
LOL! As if Clinton wasn't on the news constantly, more than Bush ever has been when he was the President! These people are so amusing sometimes.
8 posted on 05/15/2003 6:09:21 PM PDT by ladyinred
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
That's why TV footage of a vengeance-seeking Bush did not dim her hopes for a Democratic president in 2005, she said.

Say what?

The chief reason why the Dems are taking it on the chin over the war are that they do nothing but carp, whine, complain, and drag their feet.

Clinton fought several wars, and shot missiles all over the place, and I don't remember that they did him much good, or the Republicans any harm.

9 posted on 05/15/2003 6:09:44 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Two pieces of advice to "moderate Democrats" (not that they'll take it, so no worry)

1. "The DLC members warmly embraced Clinton, and said his campaigns are a model for this year's Democratic presidential crop." ------

Maybe you shouldn't be "warmly" embracing Clinton? Even Susan Estrich sees the damage he has done to your party.

and

2. If the Democrats want to be so "moderate", why did they elect a San Francisco extreme liberal as leader? Nancy Pelosi was the deathknell of your party.

10 posted on 05/15/2003 6:10:34 PM PDT by I still care
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: NormsRevenge
"Every election is about people's pocketbooks," Mann said.

Yeah, until you get attacked on your own soil, then you start thinking about the hide on your back instead of the hide in your back pocket.

12 posted on 05/15/2003 6:12:44 PM PDT by randog (It's always darkest before the dawn--a good time to steal the neighbor's newswI4Sr...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
"I think on balance they're doing pretty well," the former president said in an interview with The Associated Press. "They need to keep making their philosophy clear."

For the first time ever, I actually agree with Bubba, a.k.a. X-42.

They should continue to express their "philosophy" of corruption, pacifism, socialism and racism...

And, like the little elitist empty-headed little trolls they are, they'll never understand why nobody buys into their arguments, anymore....

9/11 finally woke people up... Not only to the perils of terrorism, but also to the fact that the liberals are terrorists... On a cultural basis.

I hope they keep it up... So they can get smoked in the next elections... :-)

13 posted on 05/15/2003 6:14:25 PM PDT by Capitalist Eric
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Drew68
There are jobs out there for anyone who wants one.

Not if you live in California... :-\

14 posted on 05/15/2003 6:15:41 PM PDT by Capitalist Eric
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: William Creel
I read it. I couldn't find a clear statement as to whether she will actually vote to reduce taxes on principle.
15 posted on 05/15/2003 6:17:18 PM PDT by goldstategop ( In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: ladyinred
Jennifer Mann's got 5 more years to go before she knows how I felt for EIGHT YEARS.
16 posted on 05/15/2003 6:18:39 PM PDT by Carolinamom (Glad I'm an American)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
The irony of course is if Clinton had actually dealt with Osama and Saddam in a meaningful way, we would not be having this discussion.
17 posted on 05/15/2003 6:21:16 PM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Capitalist Eric
Well said..I totally agree..
It's a whole new world since 9/11.
18 posted on 05/15/2003 6:21:38 PM PDT by grammymoon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Capitalist Eric
Not if you live in California... :-\

Is it "Not if you live in California" --or-- "Not if you live in California and do not speak Spanish?"

It is unfortunate that so many good people live in California and have to put up with the shortsighted policies of the ruling Democrats. While the rest of the nation awakes from economic slumber, Californians continue to suffer.

19 posted on 05/15/2003 6:23:34 PM PDT by Drew68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
He said Democrats should criticize Bush's failure get states and cities more money to improve the front lines of terrorism defense — police and fire departments, as well as other emergency services.

Any state that is run by people who are so stupid they would cut police and fire departments instead of searching out the bloat and waste that exists doesn't deserve to be bailed out.

States need to set proper priorities and cut the things that must be cut and make sure that police and fire departments are strengthened. It's like a bunch of kids who get in debt, expect their parents to bail them out, and continue to drive that hot car and throw money around to their friends. Cut the extras FIRST and then we'll talk.

20 posted on 05/15/2003 6:26:45 PM PDT by McGavin999
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson