Posted on 02/08/2002 5:21:09 AM PST by coder2
The saying "war changes everything" could be considered an understatement in the world of politics. Just five short months ago, Democrats were united behind the "soft-spoken," hyperpartisan Tom Daschle and beginning to tear at George W. Bush and his policies. Both parties were gearing up for battle, looking for an edge in the 2002 elections. Now Bush is untouchable, hovering high over Congress' head with incredible approval ratings on everything from the war to the economy.
Part of the problem for Democrats is that while Bush has risen, gobbling up headlines and blotting out the political sun like an eclipse, Democrats have failed to find anyone capable of rising with him. Since 9/11, Bush has connected with the American people in a visceral way, reflecting the public's feelings and earning their trust with simple, straightforward talk. Democratshave made no such connection. Without a charismatic, forceful, and sincere leading voice, Democrats are suffering in comparison to the President and losing ground with the American people on a whole host of issues.
By most accounts, Tom Daschle is a smooth operator in the Senate. But recent attempts trying to take on the President have been abysmal failures. Just before Christmas, Daschle tried to played hardball with Bush over the economic stimulus bill. Bush outfoxed Daschle by declaring a compromise with enough votes to pass both chambers of Congress, and when the bill died Daschle was effectively tagged as an obstructionist. Then, in a highly publicized speech on Friday, January 4, Daschle tried to take on Bush over issue of taxes, declaring that Bush's tax package was responsible for the deficit and implying it should be repealed. By the time Daschle arrived at his office on Monday, Bush had swatted him down publicly with his "over my dead body" pledge and Daschle had split his own caucus in two.
Other Democrat "leaders" are not faring much better. Dick Gephardt's high profile of late (rebuttal to the State of the Union, Fox News appearance, speech to the DLC) has done little to help remake him as a "moderate." John Kerry's signature issues, opposing national missile defense and drilling in ANWR, don't carry much weight with the public post 9/11. Even Joe Lieberman can't make news by going to Bush's right on military tribunals and invading Iraq. Nor is the former "Conscience of the Senate" ringing up much political benefit from his Senate Enron investigation.
These men simply do not have the "star power" to take on a President, let alone a War President with an 85% approval rating. It's not an easy job. Still, Democrats have to be disheartened by the fact that they have failed to isolate any policy issue on which Bush is truly vulnerable. It looks increasingly like Democrats will be forced to bide their time and pray that the economy takes another dip this summer.
With generic polls showing Republicans running well above their historical average, Democrats need to find an issue and a leader who can connect with the American people and lead them through the mid-term elections. They need someone who can generate headlines, unite their caucus and be a standard bearer for the '04 Presidential race. It sounds crazy, but the answer might lie in a bearded man roaming the mountains of Tennessee muttering about a "lock box."
Crazy?.... You just described your intended front-runner as a lunatic roaming the mountains hoping to find the right combination of meds.
Yes, it's crazy...and I applaud your honesty!
Agreed.The rise in Bush's popularity is (unfortunately)tied to the attacks of 9/11.All glory is fleeting.Bush(and the party)must strike while the iron is hot.The war fervor will fade and if there is a vaccuum,the GOP had better be prepared to fill it with meaningful conservative platforms.We have a golden opportunity and must drive,drive,drive.
This is typical of the "no character" politicians (mostly DEMS) who will mould themselves into whatever seems to be popular at the moment. Al Gore was a master at this and it only made him look like the fool he really is.
And lie and lie and lie and lie and lie..... some more.
The Godless left is thanking their lucky stars they have Enron to sink their teeth into.
Hardly anybody outside Washington cares about it, but it keeps the rats out of mischief.
In the past, conservatives got "Gingrich'd" by portraying them as hard-hearted, mean-spirited, and plain old nasty. W has rendered such charges impotent by demonstrating in word and deed that he is above such petty political maneuvering. (BTW - there are a number of areas where he has made nice when I thought he should blast the he!! out of the dimocrats!) Now, because Bush is showing the public what it means to truly be a 'public servant', Tommie Dashole and his ilk are powerless to masquerade behind the demonization of conservatives - and it's catching up to them.
Would that the democRATs were really as up the creek as this thread implies. Unfortunately, we have been here many times before and all they have to do to get the American sheeple to fawn over them is to say "vote for me and I will give you some government money." Seems to work every time. Worked for FDR, worked for HST, worked for JFK, worked for Jimmeh Cawtuh, and worked for X42.
I don't doubt that this statement is 100% true ... politicians in general, but especially Democrats, will put themselves first, their party second, certain fat-cat contributors and insiders 3rd, and way somewhere down the list is their country ... I have no doubt that these sleazoids would love to see the country suffer if it meant that they would benefit, and for that, I despise them all ...
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