Posted on 06/07/2004 9:32:08 PM PDT by TenthAmendmentChampion
The death of Ronald Reagan, the voice of modern conservatism, has had an immediate impact on the national political stage -- giving new life to George W. Bush's sagging campaign by shifting the focus of the 2004 presidential election.
Political observers say Reagan's passing provides a stellar opportunity for the Bush campaign to remind voters of GOP strengths. But there are also dangerous pitfalls in the long trek to the voting booth in November.
"Bush will be front and center on the death of a national leader,'' John Herrington, secretary of energy in the Reagan administration, said about the role Bush will take this week at memorial events that can remind voters of "his association with Reagan, and Reagan policies, and his father's association'' as Reagan's vice president.
But former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said Bush runs the risk of appearing diminished by comparison.
"He will do his best to try and associate himself with Reagan -- but it won't fly," the Democrat said. "It would be as if you're comparing a squirrel to an elephant.''
With five months to go until the 2004 presidential election, Reagan's death has underscored both the political ties -- and the personal differences -- between the former governor of California, twice elected to the presidency, and a former governor of Texas now aiming for a second term.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Let's see . . . I bet there's some good campaign slogans for Kerry in this one.
* I despised Reagan before I didn't. Or,
* I thought Reagan was wrong about everything before I didn't? Or,
* I tried to prevent Reagan from winning the Cold War before he did.
Catchy themes don't you think?
I heard the media discussing how it may be good that Reagan died now In June rather than closer to election day. These people are sick and they see politics in everything.
I guess this is why John F'n "flip-flop" Kerry isn't going to jet over to CA and bump through the waiting line in order to get a photo-op in front of the casket.
Boy, are these people obsessed with Bush getting a bounce out of Reagan's death.
I'm a Ronald Reagan-style Republican. I love Ronald Reagan and I certainly do not want to dance on his grave politically. But, I do think that The Prez could benefit if the American people recognize him as the heir apparent to the Reagan legacy (Tax cuts, strong defense, etc.) He could do a lot worse than being identified with Ronald Reagan.
The problem is that Bush will get a bounce... from the new Iraqi government, the cessation in violence in Fallujah and Najaf, another stellar jobs report...
The media is preparing to blame it on a temporary Reagan bounce, rather than give credit where credit is due. That is worse than politicizing Reagan, it is using his death to detract from other good news and harm the President.
Hehe. Yes! I wish I could be as clever as the folks on FR.
C-span seems to play callers from the left more than the right. I guess not many people can watch or call from work.
The only ones the media would be fooling is themselves. I've never seen the left so hysterical and desparate. It will be interesting to see how outrageous they become this year.
But you are one of the folks on FR :)
See what I mean? Heh. I guess I meant the OTHER folks on FR.
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