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The Democratic search for scandal
TownHall.com ^
| Thursday, June 12, 2003
| by Ben Shapiro
Posted on 06/11/2003 9:19:13 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
The Democrats need a scandal. With only 17 months until Election 2004, George W. Bush is riding high in the opinion polls. The economy looks to be on the rebound. Reconstruction in Iraq is underway.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is in flux. Its potential presidential candidates viciously attack one another in the hopes of gaining the nomination. The lead public relations organ of the Democratic Party, The New York Times, has entered full crisis mode with the resignations of executive editor Howell Raines and managing editor Gerald Boyd. The party's leading newsmaker, Hillary Clinton, is widely despised.
The Democrats have no place to turn. By opposing the president, they have painted themselves into a corner -- the better the country does, the worse they do politically. Only one avenue of escape remains: scandal.
Unfortunately for the Democrats, no scandal looms on the horizon. Why? Because political scandal requires that the public distrust the politician in question. People have to believe the politician is not a "nice guy." But George W. Bush has the anti-scandal vaccine: likeability. He might as well be called the Pam President. You can fry him, you can grill him, but nothing will stick to him.
It's not as though the Democrats haven't tried. They tried the Watergate-style scandal. For three years since the 2000 election, Democrats have claimed that Bush and his band of slimy Republicans "stole" the presidency. In language strikingly similar to that used by Richard Nixon's enemies during the 1974 scandal, Democrats continue to denounce Bush's "dirty tricks" of 2000. But this scandal-that-wasn't played itself out. The American public largely turned its back on this argument, especially after Sept. 11. Watergate worked with Nixon because Nixon, dubbed "Tricky Dick" in 1950, had assumed the image of slickster in the hearts and minds of Americans already. But Bush is widely perceived as good-natured Gallant with a touch of Goofus.
Realizing that the "Bush-as-Grinch, America-as-Whoville" strategy wasn't cutting it, the Democrats turned to the Whitewater-style scandal. The Democrats got the brilliant idea that since Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were both successful businessmen, the administration had to be funneling government cash to its friends. Most notoriously, the Democrats alleged that the Bush administration had knowingly overlooked Enron's corruption and had in fact aided Enron. Again, the Democrats failed. While Whitewater had substance to it, the Enron-Bush link simply didn't exist.
Since Sept. 11, the Democrats have become desperate -- and they've lashed out in a big way. First, imitating revisionist historians of the post-FDR era, the Democrats claimed that Bush had "failed to connect the dots." Ironically, the most scandal-plagued first lady in American history was the first in line to slander President Bush; Hillary stood on the floor of the Senate, asking shrilly, "The president knew what?" It turns out the president most to blame for Sept. 11 was Hillary's husband. Oops.
After the "blame Bush" approach fell through, Democrats went into a tailspin. Trying feverishly to work up a scandal, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) went into hysterics on the Senate floor after President Bush flew onto the USS Abraham Lincoln to congratulate victorious troops. The monetary cost of the flight was too great, Byrd said. From the most notorious pork lover in the Senate, this speech came off as nothing less than hilarious.
Finally, the Democrats think they've found something to latch onto: unfound weapons of mass destruction. Hearkening back to their Gulf of Tonkin days, Democrats scream and yell that President Bush lied when he told the American people that Saddam Hussein posed a threat. But this strategy, too, is destined to fail. President Bush is too trustworthy. And if that isn't enough, he can send out Colin Powell, the most beloved public figure in America, to vouch for him.
The Democrats have tried every trick in the book to portray George W. Bush as a "bad guy." They have consistently failed because Bush is likeable. Is there anything the Democrats can do to take Bush down? Only if they dig up a sex scandal. While other scandals require that the public already think of the target as a "bad guy," sex scandals automatically brand someone a "bad guy."
Unfortunately for Democrats, George W. Bush is the real deal: likeable and honorable. His likeability means he can't be portrayed as nasty. His faithfulness means he can't be portrayed as untrustworthy. There's no scandal in sight for the Democrats. Look out for the Bush tidal wave in 2004.
TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2004; desperation
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To: JohnHuang2
A great piece.
2
posted on
06/11/2003 9:27:03 PM PDT
by
Deb
(My tag line is in the wash.)
To: JohnHuang2
This piece is a little too rosey Johnny. The Dims are already starting to gain some traction from the "What, no WMD in Iraq" line. Nevermind, no one, including the Dims or UN disputed that fact, and were just bargaining for more time. I'm not concerned, just cautious. The left wing media machine is formidable. The drumbeat has begun .... anybody but W. You know the drill.
3
posted on
06/11/2003 9:40:44 PM PDT
by
kylaka
To: kylaka
"...The Dims are already starting to gain some traction.." They're gaining traction -- and headed off the cliff ;)
To: kylaka
"...The Dims are already starting to gain some traction.."They're gaining traction -- and headed off the cliff ;)
To: JohnHuang2
This is amazing... Just the other day I was scoping out "the other site" trying to get a feel for if Nader was going to run. I found a thread where several **ers decided to try to start rumors of Bush having an affair. They even discussed trying to find a loyal liberal who would go public with accusations that Bush had an affair with her a few years ago.
Toward the end of the discussion, one of them mentioned that they needed to get the thread nuked so there wouldn't be a record of their plan. I saved it just in case they ever tried to make such a ridiculous plot fly... liberals don't seem shy of trying totally irrational accusations :-(
6
posted on
06/11/2003 9:47:23 PM PDT
by
Tamzee
( It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into. - J. Swift)
To: JohnHuang2; Liz; Howlin
...the Democratic Party is in flux.I've heard obstructionists, divided, partisan, gridlock, and shutdown.
Ever hear of the Pubbies in 'flux'? Me neither...
7
posted on
06/11/2003 9:48:42 PM PDT
by
Libloather
(Proud member of the Vast Right Wing Fatwa...)
To: Tamsey
The smell of desperation is in the air. Democrat desperation. They're in full-panic mode, with a Bush landslide in the making.
To: JohnHuang2
All they have to do is LOOK IN THE MIRROR!!!
9
posted on
06/11/2003 9:58:14 PM PDT
by
ChefKeith
(NASCAR...everything else is just a game!)
To: JohnHuang2
I suppose it's mean and petty to enjoy their desperation....
Just sign me,
mean and petty ;-)
10
posted on
06/11/2003 10:04:25 PM PDT
by
Tamzee
( It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into. - J. Swift)
To: Tamsey
hehehe
To: JohnHuang2
Heck, I hope so. Bush is already down to a 54% approval rating
in the combined New York Times, Marist, Zogby, Fidel, Saddam,
Osama, Daschle, Hillary and perky Katie poll. Surely Impeachment isn't far behind.
12
posted on
06/11/2003 10:28:32 PM PDT
by
kylaka
To: Tamsey
Heard the same rumor today. It is buzzing just the below the surface. It will surface like a female killer whale a few months from now. Get ready for it, because it is coming.
13
posted on
06/11/2003 10:51:18 PM PDT
by
ex-Texan
(primates capitulards toujours en quete de fromage!)
To: Tamsey
To start a rumor of an affair is almost unbelievable. I hope you are ready to give Fox News and Rush Limbaugh the proof if they ever try. That is disgusting.
14
posted on
06/12/2003 12:44:32 AM PDT
by
Angel
To: ex-Texan
Where did you hear a rumor about the affair?
15
posted on
06/12/2003 12:45:07 AM PDT
by
Angel
To: Libloather
(Dummycrats)......obstructionists, divided, partisan, gridlock, and shutdown........ ....and add corrupt, mean-spirited and going nowhere.....
16
posted on
06/12/2003 2:16:49 AM PDT
by
Liz
To: Angel
I'm not sure even that will work now; they've already tried that before! Does anyone remember what went on during the campaign, when those rumors of 'another woman' came up? Also the stunt Larry Flynt pulled with the 'abortion' GWB supposedly helped some woman get. That was hysterical!
In the former situation, the woman claimed to have letters he wrote to her. It was discredited. Even the gal's uncle, who was with her at some event where GWB was also at, wouldn't back her up!
Then, in the situation with the "girlfriend who had an abortion"; even the 'girlfriend' laughed it off! She said she didn't see how he could have paid for her to have an abortion of their child, when they hadn't even had sex! Apparently, some old roommate had overheard her talking to someone on the phone, and assumed it was him.
The roommmate ran straight to Larry Flynt after he offered a million dollars to someone who could claim a scandal about GWB. Well, she took her slap-happy, greedy little self off to LF, to spill her old story, and claim the money! She managed to shanghai ol' Larry Flint himself(hehehe...now you'd think that should teach him!)!
That's why in the long run, I don't really think it will work! Most people that already support him now, will never believe it. And that goes for many Dems. as well as most Republicans. And for those who may have gone along with it once before, they knew those stories were discredited then. They'll just look foolish if they fall for it again!
17
posted on
06/12/2003 2:30:42 AM PDT
by
dsutah
To: JohnHuang2
The Democraps have not changed. Their very essence, the politics of FEAR, DIVISION, and HATRED are in full bloom!
To: JohnHuang2
Good morning John...But I protest...there's plenty of scandal....they just aren't looking in the right party......
19
posted on
06/12/2003 2:46:44 AM PDT
by
The Wizard
(Saddamocrats are enemies of America, treasonous everytime they speak)
To: Angel
I saved the thread for what little good it may serve later :-( It scary how dirty they fight when they feel cornered, isn't it? Like rabid badgers...
20
posted on
06/12/2003 6:02:32 AM PDT
by
Tamzee
( It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into. - J. Swift)
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