COUNTDOWN (476 DAYS) TO VICTORY '04 -- FEEDBACK NEEDED FROM FREEPERS! (Includes Poll on Media)

Countdown to Victory '04 is Free Republic's daily action center for the grassroots campaign to re-elect Bush-Cheney in 2004 -- the place to visit to find out the latest from the campaign and how you can help right now!

One way is to post on this Daily Thread the local articles and/or pictures you have from the President's visit to your area in order to give the rest of us a local perspective on his visit instead of what the national media tells us.

When your paper has an editorial or article about the President or one of his opponents, post it here. This will help provide everyone one place to go to see the latest daily campaign news about the President from around the Country.

Please check these threads daily as we tweak and add features in the months ahead as the Grassroots become active in the Reelecton Campaign of President Bush.

Today, we are asking all of you to put your thinking caps on for Today's Action Item. Please give us your feedback and your ideas for activitism in support of President Bush on today's thread.

My own example would be that all 50 States need bumperstrips and yard signs! That is a selfish request for Texas and Oklahoma as we had few yard signs or bumperstrips in 2000. We need to blanket yards even in safe states like Oklahoma and Texas! It would help the rest of our Republican candidates down the line with visible signs for support in the neighborhood for President Bush and Republicans! Volunteer to put up yard signs in your community and pass out a bumperstrip at the same time!

If you haven't visited the Republican National Committee recently, please do so today to get the latest in news about the President and the upcoming campaign. The Republican National Committee organized by Governor Racicot and now headed by the incoming Chairman, Ed Gillespie has improved dramatically from the days of the 2000 campaign where information was lacking! Today's RNC with their Research Team are on top of the latest happenings in the world of Presidential politics and are doing a great job in providing the information we need as Republican activist.

On the website you will also be able to get information on the DemocRAT candidates including their background, voting records and their poll numbers! Click on the link below to see an example of new Republican National Committee's own activism in getting the truth out:

WASHINGTON - Ed Gillespie, Senior Advisor to the Republican National Committee (RNC), today issued the following statement:

“Democrats are tripping over themselves to get to the left of Howard Dean when it comes to Iraq in order to appeal to the anti-war activists in their party, but nothing changes the fact that the international community was in universal agreement that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and he was willing to use them before. What is their policy when it comes to handling evidence that a dictator with a history of using weapons of mass destruction against his own people is developing more? Their politics may appeal to their anti-war base, but their lack of policy won't make our country more secure.”

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you very much. Thanks a lot. Please be seated. Please. J.C., thank you for that warm introduction. I thought you might have lost your touch -- (laughter) -- as a retired member of Congress, but you didn't. I'm proud to be introduced by my friend. And I want to thank you all very much for such a warm welcome.

This the last day of our journey through Africa. And each of us is drawn to this summit by the vision of the late Leon Sullivan. And I'm so honored to be in the presence of Mrs. Grace Sullivan. It's great to see you again, Mrs. Sullivan. (Applause.)

We believe that the relationship between America and Africa will benefit both our people. Work of the summit to promote commerce and understanding across the Atlantic is important work. And I'm determined that the American government will do its part. We will help nations on this continent to achieve greater health and education and trade with the world. Working together, we can help make this a decade of rising prosperity and expanding peace across Africa. (Applause.)

We've had a great visit here, thanks to the hospitality of the President, my friend. Mr. President, thank you for your friendship, thank you for your leadership. (Applause.)

I appreciate the President's leadership on crucial issues. I particularly appreciate the fact that he's willing to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic head on, with an honest approach. (Applause.)
Click Here for TRANSCRIPT

Americans want their journalists to show some patriotism, respect the public, increase accuracy and lessen bias, according to a poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press released yesterday. Seventy percent of the respondents said news organizations should embrace "a decidedly 'pro-American' viewpoint," the poll stated; among conservative Republicans, that figure stood at 85 percent. In comparison, 51 percent said the organizations "stand up for America."

Forty-six percent feel the press have become too critical of the United States — and the public.

In the survey, 56 percent said "journalists do not care about the people they report on" and 58 percent said that news organizations "do not pay attention" when the public complains about their inaccuracies.

"Most Americans (53 percent) believe that news organizations are politically biased, while just 29 percent say they are careful to remove bias from their reports," the poll said.

More than half — 51 percent — say that the bias is "liberal," while 26 percent discerned a "conservative" leaning. Fourteen percent felt neither phrase applied. Two-thirds of Republicans thought the bias is liberal, with 41 percent of Democrats agreeing. A third of Democrats said there was a conservative slant in the news media, the poll found.

The respondents had definite opinions on specific topics: Two-thirds felt that "war coverage" should be neutral, though 47 percent said having TV "hosts with strong opinions about politics" was desirable.

Two-thirds of the respondents also felt the press was preoccupied with bad news, and 70 percent said the press was "influenced by powerful people and organizations," up from 53 percent in a poll taken in 1985.

Thirty-six percent said the press "usually gets facts straight," and 62 percent said it tried to "cover up mistakes." Fifty-eight percent said reporters either "frequently" or "occasionally" make up their stories.

While the public is mostly satisfied with the amount of news coverage of Iraq and the Middle East, Hillary fatigue has set in. Fifty-five percent said there was too much coverage of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's new memoirs. Sixty-eight percent of Republicans felt the New York Democrat had gotten too much attention; 40 percent of Democrats agreed.

One in five Americans turns to Fox News Channel for their news, the poll found, with 41 percent calling themselves Republicans and 47 percent seeing themselves as conservatives. Two-thirds of Fox viewers consider the press liberal, 65 percent said it was too critical of America, 74 percent approve of President Bush's job performance and 40 percent think the press has been too critical of Mr. Bush. Sixty percent say that press criticism of the military weakens the nation's defenses.

In comparison, 40 percent of CNN viewers felt the criticism weakened the nation, 48 percent said the press was overly critical of America, 47 percent felt it was liberal and 21 percent felt the press was too critical of Mr. Bush. Twenty-four percent felt it was not critical enough of the president. Among CNN viewers, 29 percent said they were Republicans and 36 percent called themselves conservatives.

"My own example would be that all 50 States need bumperstrips and yard signs! That is a selfish request for Texas and Oklahoma as we had few yard signs or bumperstrips in 2000."

I told you about my friend who is making a website to supply bulk "Bush/Cheney '04" merchandise a couple weeks ago. He is almost done and I've seen examples of his shirts, yardsigns and bumper stickers. Top notch stuff and better than ANY other website! He will be marketing in bulk to the state and local GOP Parties across the USA so that should give anyone who wants a yardsign the ability to get one. Soon as his website is up I'll PING you.

"My own example would be that all 50 States need bumperstrips and yard signs! That is a selfish request for Texas and Oklahoma as we had few yard signs or bumperstrips in 2000. We need to blanket yards even in safe states like Oklahoma and Texas! It would help the rest of our Republican candidates down the line with visible signs for support in the neighborhood for President Bush and Republicans! Volunteer to put up yard signs in your community and pass out a bumperstrip at the same time!"

Being from one of those battleground states that got the benefit of all of those OK/TX signs ;-), I'd say we still really need to target the money where the battle is severe. The MO campaign had people allocating signs out to counties, and still didn't have enough to spread throughout the state.

As far as volunteering to put up yard signs, I heartily agree. The problem always comes in that broken-glass Bush Republicans want to put a yard-sign up early! But if you do that in this state, chances are the RAT gangs will be out stealing them or trashing them. There has to be a huge push in the last few weeks.

We have more money this time around -- it hurt our local candidates which no one seemed to think about. There were Gore signs everywhere so it gave the indication that there were more DemocRATs than Republicans. That is why there is more money this time for signs and bumperstrips and our States will have to buy them if necessary. We need those signs to turn out Republican votes to win the popular vote and help our other candidates.

There were signs put out in Battleground States that had 10-20 signs at an intersection (I know, I saw them personally while driving through some states) which sure wasn't necessary and wasted signs that could have helped in pro-Bush States get him the popular vote. He lost the popular vote because Pro-Bush states didn't turn out big numbers. It looked like he had very little support here in Oklahoma!

J.C. paid for signs for Norman the last time for Bush-Cheney -- I got mine from friends.

People have to realize that there are RAT primaries this time around. We have had 5 RAT candidates here in Oklahoma in the last few weeks, we have a RAT Governor thanks to the Indy, the RATs are having a debate in Stillwater sometime in August of this year and have opened offices in OKC!

We are pro-Bush, but you cannot take the pro-Bush states forgranted like happened in 2000! With the RATs coming in and out of Oklahoma since we moved up our primary to 3 February, the Republicans need signs and bumperstrips and a visit from the President. That's a fact. We have a Senate seat to protect and four Congressional seats. We cannot let the RATs get a foothold anymore than they have in this State if we want to take over at least one House of the Legislature!

A CHALLENGE!! Recovering_Democrat's Goal:
$2000 to Bush-Cheney '04!

Amount donated so far:
$340

(17% of goal reached!)

I challenge fellow FREEPers to set a goal, and post it on this thread....it doesn't have to be the maximum...make it a challenge, though! I'm going to be giving in increments...bit by bit, as I do not have $2000 to give in one fell swoop! Fellow FREEPers, do the same! Let's make a record of how we're doing in supporting our Commander In Chief!!!!
rd

I didn't figure it out until I went to our Cleveland County Convention and heard all about it. It never dawned on me even a little until this spring.

Then it was like the lightbulb went off -- they were right. We picked up some seats but seats we thought for sure we were getting in the OK State Legislature we did not. Voters stayed home -- no enthusiasm in 2000 here!

In 2002, VP Cheney came in for Cole for Congress and we kept J.C.'s seat in what was the new district which was redistricted by adding four RAT counties to the current district. I think VP Cheney made the difference because he got the volunteers and donors energized and Tom won in a district that has more registered DemocRATs. We put out more signs after VP Cheney's visit then the rest of the campaign -- people couldn't get enough signs.

Taught me a lesson!

Sure woke me up!

Was pretty convinced that a large portion of the media and the Clinton's are on the same wave length

One of my biggest complaints about the media is that it is all inbred. They all read each other. And if A gets it wong then b thru z will get it wrong. They use each other as sources.

Therefor in an attempt to not be sucked in by the media herd instinct I rarely read the media opinion pieces. I try to read the news reports and then do my own interpretation. I believe that at least on some subjects in the news my take is unique. My thinking is not colored by the other analysts in the media.

>>Don't you love that "undocumented migrants/immigrants" flim-flam? <<

I think you would not call it flim-flam if you lived on the dangerous border, or if your nice community were overrun with illegals who bring with them drive-by shootings, drugs, rape, murder and stabbings, as well as over-stressed police departments, schools, and medical services and public health problems.

Since we live in a plutocracy where the governing classes allow mega-business to determine policy and where the majority of the people have become depoliticized, (and it's been so for the past two presidential administrations), the people have no choice but to take matters into their own hands, if they are to save their state from the disaster that is California. I admire their courage, since they'll have to withstand all the rhetorical insults meant to silence them and close-off dialogue--racist, bigot, xenophobe and so on.

The problem is that the people who make the laws and policies that promote illegal immigration do not live anywhere near the consequences. Instead they impose the horrors onto the backs of the working class and poor Americans, which to my mind is reprehensible and immoral behavior.

I think you would not call it flim-flam if you lived on the dangerous border, or if your nice community were overrun with illegals who bring with them drive-by shootings, drugs, rape, murder and stabbings, as well as over-stressed police departments, schools, and medical services and public health problems.

Risa, I live in Los Angeles. Trust me, I get it.
I used the word "flim-flam" because politicians who essentially lie through their teeth about Illegals by calling them "undocumented immigrants/migrants," are nothing better than whorish, vote-buying con-men.
Check out this article...
House bill restricts consular I.D. cards
The title really ought to be "GOP backs stealth Amnesty of Illegals through standardized acceptance of Foreign ID cards."
President Bush is fortunate that the Democrats are too stupid to exploit his poor record on Illegal Aliens, or his re-election would be in some jeopardy.

>>Risa, I live in Los Angeles. Trust me, I get it. <<

Oh, my, when I miss someone's point, I miss it big time. I am sorry for subjecting you to a diatribe on a topic you know all too well.

>>Check out this article... House bill restricts consular I.D. cards...The title really ought to be "GOP backs stealth Amnesty of Illegals through standardized acceptance of Foreign ID cards." <<

How awful. The GOP seems hell-bent on depoliticizing the majority of the American people, by hook or by crook.

>>President Bush is fortunate that the Democrats are too stupid to exploit his poor record on Illegal Aliens, or his re-election would be in some jeopardy. <<

I fear that his re-election is in jeopardy. He is pushing hard for the Singapore and Phillipines Free Trade treaties as well as the Free Trade of the Americas treaty, all of which will, if ratified, further drive the influx of cheap skilled and unskilled, legal and illegal labor.

The Democrats wouldn't be an improvement, since they are corrputed by multinational monetary power, too, and adding their socialist tendencies onto their desire for trade liberalisation and expansionist immigration policies will really make things worse. But will people think of that? They may just react to get Bush out at any cost, without considering the consequences.

Are there any potential 'real' Republican candidates out there?

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