Posted on 07/15/2002 10:28:18 AM PDT by gordgekko
Maybe I am totally off base, and probably I should keep my views to myself, but I sense a Democratic victory in Congress in the making. It is true that President George W. Bush still has sky high ratings among the electorate. They see him as someone who thinks like they do. No matter what issues the Democrats throw at the President, nothing sticks to him. They used to call Ronald Reagan the Teflon President, but if Bush continues these ratings into 2004, he will do Reagan one better.
The Bush ratings do not apply to his party, however. In fact, several recent polls find that while the average voter believes that Bush is on the side of the average voter, Republicans in general are seen as being more interested in the welfare of corporate bigwigs. If Democrat strategists are able to take advantage of this voter perception they will hold on to the Senate, but will win control of the House as well. Republican strategists already concede gains in the gubernatorial realm. They are defending many more state houses than the Democrats.
One of the problems for Republicans in Congress is that grass roots conservatives don't feel that the party is willing to raise issues they care about. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision removing God from the pledge of allegiance and a New York federal judge's decision to release a terrorist are good arguments for confirming President Bush judicial nominees. It is unclear if the party is willing to make this a burning issue because the judge who wrote the pledge opinion was a Republican appointee. If the judiciary becomes a really credible issue, it does have the opportunity to arouse some voters.
One issue that would really stir the grass roots is immigration. Look at what has happened in Western Europe. Eleven of 14 Members of the European Economic Community now have right of center governments. And it is possible that total will be 12 this fall if German voters go the way the polls are now suggesting. Immigration was one of the key issues that brought those right of center governments to power. Even the Dutch government intends to curb the liberal lifestyle in that country. The problem is that President Bush has a fundamental disagreement with Representative Tom Tancredo (R-CO) whose views on immigration resonate well with the grass roots. So immigration will not be made an issue by the Republican Party or if it is it will be in the form of President Bush's outreach to the Hispanic community.
Another issue that stirs the grass roots is the Boy Scout issue. The Boy Scouts have lost millions and have also lost the right to use many public facilities because they refuse to permit homosexual scout masters. The grass roots are all with the Scouts. The party could win seats in the South, Midwest and even Southwest if the party made this an issue. But it is unlikely the party will raise this issue because the Bush Administration has made an outreach to the homosexual community. Just recently, the president signed a bill providing some benefits to same sex partners who were victims of the New York disaster on September 11th.
The Supreme Court's decision on vouchers thrilled most conservatives. This decision is very popular in minority communities where school children are trapped in failing education institutions. However vouchers are not popular in suburban communities. The issue has been defeated in Congress by suburban Republicans. Voters from the suburbs have defeated vouchers when they were on state ballots. So while the party might make this an issue and grass roots conservatives would like it, the suburban Republicans who are part of the Bush coalition might well revolt.
The voters and even some in the grass roots have turned on to the privacy issues. A year ago, in the wake of 9/11, they were willing to support intrusions into their privacy in the interest of safety. Attorney General John Ashcroft was once the darling of grass roots conservatives. He is now seen as the enemy of the Fourth Amendment and impatience with Big Brother security measures grows, especially among grass roots activists. But privacy will not be an issue with the voters at-large this fall.
That is why it is possible that the Democrats will make gains. The Republicans may not raise any issues that will get grass roots conservatives to the polls. In 1994 these conservatives constituted 37 percent of the vote. In 2000, they constituted only 31 percent of the vote. If they drop another percentage or two, Republicans will lose, and could lose big.
We shall see if Democrats are smart enough to turn voter perception about the Republican-Big Business connection into an issue that resonates with the average voter. Thus far they have proved remarkably inept in their efforts to develop issues against President Bush. It could be they will miss what for them is a golden opportunity. However, if they get their act together, President Bush will be dealing with a Democrat Congress for the two years before he has to face the voters. If what has happened in the Senate this past year is any guide, the president will get nothing conservative through the Congress. He will only win if he compromises with the liberals. Then the Democrats will say he is a do nothing president.
Paul M. Weyrich is president of the Free Congress Foundation.
And from the Thompson Committee hearings it's obvious it bothers quite a few Democratic & Republican Senators as well. By I won't name no names just as Fred requested :>} but check their trial votes though
Then why doesn't the GOP allow any to run?
They can only get elected if they can get people to vote for them. People will only vote for them if they agree. They will only agree if they are made to understand. They will only understand if they are told the truth. The truth must be searched for.
Sorry, but you're sounding like a sideshow hypnotist or Deepak Chopra here.
The Left compromises everyday. They take everything they can get. They never trash a party member. They never whine about "principles" or DINOs. And they never give up because they were disappointed about an outcome.
Malarkey. The democrats put on a full court press on everything, refusing to compromise and the republicans hand them what they want after each of their tantrums, every time. The democrats will hound one of their own into prison for breaking ranks. Look at Trafficant.
That's all we do. Conservatives are the biggest bunch of pink baby men in politics. Wanna defeat us? Just let us lose a vote on a bill or an election...the weaklings will shoot the wounded and run for the hills.
You're describing republicans, not conservatives. The GOP 's little conservative act is being discarded now and they're back to what made them a minority party before Reagan came along.
Reagan...Newt and the gang.
The Republicans lose..and usually lose big...when they try to become lukewarm Democrats....and seemingly are ashamed of the values that helped to create America.
I would have to agree that this election cycle they will lose....since their President is about as lukewarm as they get.
redrock
Without regard to one's "right to complain", come election night, the difference between a democrat controlled congress and a republican controlled congress will be determined by trust (or lack of it) and faith (or lack of it).
Thinking republicans and independents must decide for themselves if they trust the candidates, whose names are followed by an "R".
Do these "likely voters" have faith that their candidates, once elected will vote and act in a conservative fashion?
Is there any real guarantee that only conservative judges will be nominated?
Do we really believe that gwb and the senate will do what is right for the country at the expense of "popular" big-government programs?
If "strict constructionist" judges would likely end the out-of control spending of congress and neuter the power of the elected, can we really have confidence that the people who gave us the "US Patriot" bill will do the right thing?
Based on the spending record, of our current leaders, and their willingness to abandon the rights and freedoms so many brave souls have died for, I would suggest that many "R" candidates will fail to inspire the conservative and freedom loving to vote.
Is it too late?
Heath Shuler endorses Ed Bryant in U.S. Senate race
By Lydia McCoy, News Sentinel staff writer July 16, 2002
Congressman Ed Bryant, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, announced Monday that Heath Shuler, a former University of Tennessee quarterback, will endorse his campaign.
"Time ago you could draw a line down the center of the state," Bryant said. "West of that area, I was well known. On the eastern part of the state, people didn't know me. What he (Shuler) stands for, hopefully it will rub off on me. I'm honored he would choose me."
Shuler set numerous passing records for Tennessee and was the 1993 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up. Shuler was the third overall pick of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins and played four seasons before a foot injury forced his retirement.
"After I did my homework, there is no question who I want to support," Shuler said. "Politics isn't what it used to be. It's a very tough, very hard job. It will be difficult, but I think he will do a very fine job."
What they did to Jim Rogan, using David Geffen's money, was horrible to watch. Geffen vowed to spend whatever it took to defeat Rogan because of his part during the impeachment.
As the stakes have risen, the vicious tactics and mountains of money rise also. I don't envy any Republican who has to go thru this every two years.
If only blowhards like you had their courage, you'd be worth something.
Of course not. But it sure is a good sign that folks are excited about a candidate or group of candidates.
Why, thank you! :-)
That's hilarious, mentioning courage when referring to politicians. If those public tit addicts had any courage they wouldn't be in the business they're in. "Blowhards" like me are going to have to clean up the mess you pompom shaking imbeciles are making of this country. Your celebrity politicians will run home and hide when the time comes to stand up to the communists in government. So will you.
Sure it is, lady. Claim an attempt at ironic humor if you like, but that wasn't humorous except in a grimly pitiful sort of way. You can do what you like, but so can I. You and your party are the ones who will be "moving on" as in fading from the political scene.
This cult of celebrity you pompom shakers subscribe to has resulted in the election to Congress of the gang of halfwits your party has in office right now. Anyone who tries to claim that more of these liberal con artists would be a good counter to the communists across the aisle don't have both oars in the water.
You don't send liberals to Congress to do a conservative's job unless you're too stupid to be allowed near a voting booth, or intent on seeing to it that the conservatives never win.
Good One! :-)
Glad to see that thought is finally taking hold. It's the equivilent of Blasphemy to the Pom Pom crowd, but it's going to happen.
It's "Tough Love" and "Shock Therapy" time. Any one with at least average intelligence should have noticed by now that the Repub party is getting Worse, not Better in Conservative, Constitutional matters. Maybe the shock of having to "suddenly" fight for what they express as their values will wake them up.
Maybe by your standards. I would concider any indication that we were going in the right direction to be cause for hope. The Republican party is supposedly going to save us. They are going the wrong way, a block behind the Democrat parade.
Kinda like syphilis isn't lung cancer.
The GOP isn't good enough for you. So, what are you going to do besides gripe? What's your alternative?
Or like socialist isn't communist.
What's your alternative? Sure, the GOP has demonstrated that it can win elections, but what good is that when Republicans insist on governing like liberal Democrats? What are you going to do to support true conservatism in your party? The GOP leadership knows that so-called conservatives will vote for candidates like Alan Keyes in the primaries but will turn and support the liberal-to-moderate candidate like George W. Bush in the general election. So what good is it to stay in the party? The liberals in the GOP know that voters like you would never abandon them, so what incentive do they have to change their ways?
Get bent. You don't know jack about me, aight? And I'm not even a Republican.
Gloves off.
First of all, the onus is not on me. No, the onus is on the ones who say that there is something better.
What is the problem with the "more-conservative-than-thou" types, anyway? You can yell all ya want about how your team is better, but when the score reads 42-7 at the end of the 4th quarter while you're on the short end, does it matter what you say?
Hell no it doesn't!
You lament the fact that the GOP knows how to win elections. But isn't that the point? What good is your pious "principle(s)" sans power?
Here's an equation for you: "Pious Principle(s)" - Power = ZERO. And zero can't buy a stick of bubble gum.
So, since you obviously don't have an answer nor an alternative, you must be content to be resigned to the moaning choir.
But at least you got your "principle(s)," for whatever the hell that's worth in the end.
Keep it up. Please!
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