Anger, votes may break in Democrats favor

“Angry voters turn out and vote their anger,” Republican pollster Glen Bolger told The Washington Post. And that has the GOP worried, because Democrats are so mad about President Bush and Iraq that they are more likely to vote in November than Republicans. For example, 47 percent of voters “strongly” disapprove of President Bush’s job performance, while only 20 percent “strongly approve,” according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News. Turnout fears likely are why, as an earlier blog item noted, the GOP plans to trot out again such issues as gay marriage, abortion and flag burning.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

78 Comments

  1. J M Walker
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:27 am | Permalink

    Good point. Now the problem is, will the democrats come up with a platform that matches the democrats of years gone bye? Getting voted in because the other guy stinks is kind of an insult. Of course, if the democrats do get elected in because of that, they will fail to see it as such. I expect they wil act much like the republicans did when they took over: moronic.

    Unless they can pull the wide variety of differences they have together and stand for something the public can buy into. AND make sure it is accomplished, whatever IT is.

    It could get very interesting. Personally, I’ld like to see a third party show up, with REAL changes in hand and blow both parties out of the water. Damn, must be time for another piss test.

  2. Shocker'07
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:00 am | Permalink

    Let’s see, nobody likes Bush, everyone’s pissed at us. Hmmm, gay marriage, flag burning and abortion! Good idea, when all else fails, distract voters from the real issue.

    You have a good point, JM. The Republicans are doing it now, the Dems do it when things suck for them. How about a third party that takes the best from the other two and leaves the crap behind? Then maybe my politics would have a home…

  3. RustyFord
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:28 am | Permalink

    I really don’t know if it will make that much difference in the 2006 election.Voters seem to be much more connected to their representatives and local politicians than to the people running during presidential elections.Honestly, nobody can run a dirtier campaign than the Republicans in a presidential election, or congressional election if it is during a presidential election year. But that often backfires when tried during an off year election. I think the people that actually vote in off year elections know more about the candidates and more about government in general. That doesn’t bode well for the Karl Rove’s of politics.

  4. writerdog
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 2:28 am | Permalink

    A good third party may have a chance. I do think there is another factor to be considered. I call it the “Woked up” factor, in the past both parties had that core that they could run out the one trick pony and get the votes. Abortion and the others mentioned. But if Bush has done anything he had woke up the American people as to what can happen if they do not pay attention. The majority woke up and find the Neo-cons, religious right and the PNAC. Was running the country and none of the above groups had the best interests of the country at heart.

  5. Joe Blow
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 6:30 am | Permalink

    We’ve heard all this before.Let’s list the issues that were going to cause the Dems to win elections and, well, didn’t.NewtGov’t shutdownMonicaImpeachmentEnronWorldComFloridaFloridaFlorida9/11Iraq

    Dream on, Dems. Hard to turn around such a long losing streak.

  6. Joe Williams
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 7:54 am | Permalink

    Joe Blow has a point. The Democrats don’t have anything to offer but “I hate Bush more”.

    Plus! Just about all districts are safe for incumbants. They predict only a possible 8 seats in the House that might swing back to Democrats. Even at that, the Republicans still control the House.

    On the Senate side, they expect the Republicans to actually gain an additional seat.

    Personally, I would like the Republicans to get a swift kick in the butt. They need to be taught a lesson for swaying so far from their parties platform.

  7. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 8:10 am | Permalink

    I think the Dems will do better than you predict Joe; however I agree that they must field good local candidates. That will be critical. By the way, just where are all those tanker jobs “Tanker Todd” promised the 4th District?

  8. Joe Williams
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 8:16 am | Permalink

    Ben. That “Tanker Yanker” McCain pulled it and Boeing f-ed it up.

    There is a good chance that the tankers will be built be Airbus. The competition for bids is starting now. Good Luck Boeing, but I don’t think you guys have the political clout from your representatives in Kansas, Chicago, and Washington.

  9. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 8:18 am | Permalink

    That’s right Joe. And former Boeing employee Todd (in charge of government pork projects) knew all about Boeing’s corruption all along while he was making his empty campaign promises.

  10. Hank Price
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 8:58 am | Permalink

    Gentle people,

    As a conservative republican I am very disapointed with congress. However, the only relevant debate going on in the nation is between the liberal and the conservative republicans. And the conservatives are losing.

    Now the keystone cops, that the democratic party has become, may be able to capitalize on our confusion, but they still won’t bring anything relevant to the discussion.

    With all of the wishful news about the upcoming democratic victories, there still is the reality that there are less than 25 seats in congress that are actually up for grabs. 90% of the house seats are very secure. Chances of a big democratic victory are very slim.

    They bring nothing to the discussion. Kinda like the liberals on this BLOG!

    Hank

  11. CF
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:04 am | Permalink

    Hank Price,

    If by ‘nothing’ you mean ‘facts,’ ‘reasoned analysis,’ ’spirited debate,’ ‘critical thinking,’ ‘healthy skepticism,’ ‘rollicking good times,’ and, yes, ‘occasional profanity,’ then we agree.

  12. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:11 am | Permalink

    Scotty Mc Clellan has resigned.

    Can’t blame him. May he be the first of many.

    Gerrymandering the districts makes by the corrupt Republicans makes the House problematic. Tanker Todd and our two toady toe the line Republican Senators probably get a pass. Kansas will never change. Too many people love to THINK they are Republicans. The stupid white man syndrome ya know. That’s a wide spread problem. Epidemic even, in “red ” states.

    One can only hope folks have had enough of Republican “leadership”. There is not much of a country left to save.

  13. Hank Price
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:11 am | Permalink

    Dear CF,

    Right on time, your post is a perfect example of what I meant by ‘nothing’.

    Hank

  14. Nathan
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:20 am | Permalink

    CF,

    If by “facts” you mean the more liberals say it the more it must be true…

    If by “reasoned analysis” you mean liberals patting each other on the back each time they accuse someone of something…

    If by “critical thinking” you mean thinking critically of Bush…

    If by “healthy skepticism” you mean the constant tin-foil hat accusations…

  15. CF
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:33 am | Permalink

    It’s getting to be like the WWF around here, what with the tag-team father and son mutual congratualation society pile-ons.

  16. Hank Price
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:33 am | Permalink

    Dear CF,

    I take my last post back, JR now has the perfect example or bringing ‘nothing’ to the debate!

    Hank

  17. Hank Price
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:35 am | Permalink

    Dear CF,

    We’re not the only father/son team on this BLOG. Just the only one that brings anything relevant to the debate.

    Hank

  18. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:40 am | Permalink

    If by “stay the course” you mean continue to repeat your failures …

    If by “Mission Accomplished” you mean stuck in a quagmire …

    If by “Progress” you mean the most serious problem today is the US-funded Iraqi forces instead of the insurgents …

  19. Rage
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:46 am | Permalink

    Actually, JR just pointed out another WH staffer who decided to bail (probably “to spend more time with his family” or whatnot), which is sorta relevant to the thread (and it is a “fact”–information–and since I haven’t listened to NPR today, for me it was postively EDUCATIONAL!).

    Considering what an awful job he had (would you like to be in his shoes?), I’m surprised he took so long to jump ship.

  20. Nathan
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 9:47 am | Permalink

    I still don’t understand how it something to be proud of that the only way your party can hope to win is simply because of your dislike of the current party in power.

  21. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 10:18 am | Permalink

    Oh your relevant alright Hank. I’d call ya damned critical. I only wish you had a bigger forum so you and Nathan could show more people just what Republicans are REALLY like. You know, the “necessary war” and minding other peoples buisiness stuff.

  22. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 10:35 am | Permalink

    Today’e editorial about Iraq was telling. The current “Stay the Course” is continuing to make the same mistakes they have acknowledged making all along. “Stay the Course” means continue repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

  23. Jungle Jim
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:33 am | Permalink

    And I struggle, Nathan, to understand how anyone can be proud of a party which has elevated lying to a political art form while taking a prosperous country and destroying it with special-interest pandering.

    Anyone care to venture a guess where Karl Rove can be found between now and November?

    I’d start looking at Diebold, then I’d look for those 300-voter precincts turning out 5,000 votes for Republican candidates.

  24. XXX
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:33 am | Permalink

    “We’re not the only father/son team on this BLOG. Just the only one that brings anything relevant to the debate.”

    What an absolutely bloated ego. Pretty full of yourself, aintcha?

  25. Nathan
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:34 am | Permalink

    Lies?

    How many times do you guys have to proven wrong. No matter how much you say Bush lied it doesn’t make it anymore true.

  26. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:36 am | Permalink

    That’s right Nathan. For Bush to have lied he would have to have known something. His defense is that he has been clueless all along!

  27. Jungle Jim
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:44 am | Permalink

    Come on, Nathan. You’re going to have to invoke examples to be taken seriously with that tripe.

    Want to talk Bush lies? Let’s start with that pesky Buffalo N.Y. presser where Bush pledges warrants before wiretaps.

    Want more? There’s plenty more where that came from. Meanwhile, why don’t you enlighten us all on Bush’s daily dump on the U.S. Constitution?

    You Bushbots are always good for a laugh.

  28. RD
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:54 am | Permalink

    Bush needed to make big changes to his cabinet long ago. I bet it hurts like hell to have to tell his buddies that they’ll have to find work elsewhere. I’d bet a mint that Scotty is beyond the point of relief. He can now go treat his ulcer and beg God for forgiveness with a clear conscience.

  29. Nathan
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:55 am | Permalink

    Jungle Jim,

    How can I “invoke” examples of Bush not being a liar?

    Last I checked Bush was not “wire tapping” any phones.

    But perhaps you could show me the quote you refer to?

    I don’t think Bush is taking a daily dump on the Constitution. I have noting to enlighten you with.

  30. RD
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:59 am | Permalink

    “If by ’stay the course’ you mean continue to repeat your failures…”

    You mean like this?”See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda.”– George Bush, “President Participates in Social Security Conversation in New York,” May 24, 2005.

    hehe

  31. RD
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:00 pm | Permalink

    Definition of insanity:Repeating the same thing over and over again with the same results.

  32. Nathan
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:04 pm | Permalink

    When Bush says stay the course do you honestly think he means keep doing things wrong?

  33. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:09 pm | Permalink

    Yes. He has shown that by the fact that we do keep doing things wrong. To do otherwise would require CHANGING the course.

  34. Nathan
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:15 pm | Permalink

    Ben,

    First you assume that “stay the course” means keep doing things wrong.

    You have yet to prove that is Bush’s intentions.

    Quite honestly I find it disturbing how much you are willing to assume that Bush has the worst intentions in mind.

  35. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:19 pm | Permalink

    Well it’s either that Nathan or he is criminally stupid.

  36. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:19 pm | Permalink

    Quite honestly I find it disturbing how much you are willing to assume that Bush does not have the worst intentions in mind.

  37. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:21 pm | Permalink

    JR, the purple chicken tried to cross the road but could not make it out of the ditch!!! :)

  38. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:28 pm | Permalink

    KfgSorry about that.

    J R suspended his chickenhawk hunt and encouraged the purple chicken to try again.

  39. CF
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:36 pm | Permalink

    Interesting poll result: even in Kansas, a majority of those polled disapprove of the job President Bush is doing in office.

    http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/06041850StatePOTUSState.html

    As of April 18, of the 600 voters polled in Kansas, 46% approve, 51% disapprove. In KANSAS.

    So Hank Price and Nathan can parrot right-wing spin until they’re blue in the face–as they no doubt will. The electorate is pissed at the President–VERY pissed, since nationally, Gallup has him at THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT APPROVAL–and that bodes very poorly for the GOP come November.

  40. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:46 pm | Permalink

    Nathan – wjhy isn’t Bush announcing that we recognize that what we have done has failed and that we are CHANGING? “STAY” means continue “as is” – i.e. no NOT change. So, if the course is wrong it will stay wrong. I cannot assume that “Stay” means “Change”

  41. CF
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:47 pm | Permalink

    P.S. Harris interactive poll also has Bush at 35%.

    http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114537392626128763-hHgXZM3GqVt_uAE3NY_H2tj95qc_20060518.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

    Wingnuts: see ya, wouldn’t want to be ya.

  42. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:53 pm | Permalink

    The following story from Steven Aftergood’s e-newsletter. Maybe opposition voters should do so out of fear rather than anger.

    **********************************FBI SEEKS ACCESS TO JACK ANDERSON FILES

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to review the files of thelate muckraking journalist Jack Anderson and confiscate anydocuments it believes are classified before they are opened to thepublic.

    This amazing story was first reported yesterday by the Chronicle ofHigher Education.

    There has long been an unwritten agreement the government may do whatit must to deter unauthorized disclosures of classified informationand to punish leakers but that, once disclosed, the government doesnot pursue those who receive or publish the information.

    Yet the Bush Administration and some on the political right seemintent on disrupting that longstanding convention through subpoenasof reporters, prosecution of recipients of leaks (as in the AIPACcase), threats of prosecution against the press for reportingclassified information, and now the FBI pursuit of the Andersonfiles.

    A series of email messages on the FBI matter from Jack Anderson’s sonKevin were posted yesterday by Don Goldberg on his blog here:

    http://www.qorvis.com/2006/04/fbi-outrage-bureau-attempts-to_18.html

    Among the abundant news reports of the story are these:

    “FBI Rebuffed on Reporter’s Files” by Spencer Hsu, Washington Post,April 19:

    http://tinyurl.com/kgcvj

    “Late Journalist’s Family Resists FBI Request for His Documents” byNick Timiraos, Los Angeles Times, April 19:

    http://tinyurl.com/kpgs9

    “Dead Journalist’s Archives Sought In U.S. Spy Case” by Eli Lake, NewYork Sun, April 19:

    http://www.nysun.com/article/31195**********************************

    JR, KFG, Rage, XXX,The purple chicken came to my house and since I am fundamentally opposed to fowl who can’t be launched, I returned him to from whence he came.

  43. Drew D
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:58 pm | Permalink

    I always find it funny when Repukes say things like “Dems have no new ideas” or “second guessing is not a strategy.”

    Regarding the no new ideas, well maybe that is so, but we prefer tried and true solutions, like not running our deficit to its HIGHEST LEVEL EVER, thus selling out our children’s economic future simply so the mega wealthy can enjoy massive tax cuts; we prefer things like helping our fellow citizens with things like access to health care for everyone, not just the privileged few; we don’t believe in moralizing to others and engaging in self-righteous sanctimony like some of the fascists like Nate & co. do – these people are hypocrites – ostensibly they are perfect if they know what is absolutely right and absolutely wrong in terms of other’s behavior, and they sure as hell are not perfect.

    “second guessing is not a strategy.” – more like “Accountability for incompetence, gross negligence, and corruption is not a valid way to govern or vote” – typical Republican.

    I have come to the conclusion that the average Republican will stand by their ‘team’ REGARDLESS of what happens – I mean, my God, they still stand by the national train wreck that is the Bush presidency, and support his equally vile sycophants in Congress. Here is the bottom line – Republicans will vote for anyone, regardless of how badly they are at their jobs or how many lies they tell, AS LONG AS THEY PROFESS ‘CHRISTIANITY’ AND HAVE AN (R) NEXT TO THEIR NAMES. It is as simple as that.

    Truly revolting individuals.

  44. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 12:59 pm | Permalink

    Yeah look what changed

    THE PRESS Secretary!

    This is effectively saying “I’m still right and everything is hunky dory but I need someone new to sell it to you”.

    Ya gotta love bush’s little snit yesterday when he stamped his foot and said petulantly “I’m a decider!”

    Pri……..

    I was gonna say priceless. But it hasn’t been. And it won’t be in November.

  45. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:12 pm | Permalink

    McClellan got tired of having weekly surgery to shorten his constantly-growing nose.

  46. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:12 pm | Permalink

    I am bookmarking some posts right now, JR, and enjoying the sheer glee I anticipate when I post them here after the November elections.

  47. Drew D
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:29 pm | Permalink

    Sorry – just a few more things for consumption.

    Gas – $3.00/gallon (’Its the market. Obviously nothing can be done’ (Exxon/Shell/others hundreds of billions in profits per QUARTER))

    War – Violence on the sharp increase in Iraq in April, sectarian divisions on open display in street fighting (’Fight them over there instead of here! 9/11 9/11 9/11! Saddam was a terrist who hated AMERRCA! (We created the terrorist haven in Iraq. Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11. Saddam was a POS, but that did not stop ‘us’ from arming him for eight years in the ’80s.)

    Anti-democracy measures of the GOP – Phones jammed in NH on election day 2002 by state Republican Party (who is going to jail for it) – was in constant contact (>18 phone calls) with White House on that day. Bankrolled by Abramoff. 2004 election – Ohio voting controlled by chairman of Bush’s reelection committee for state – well-documented shortage of machines in minority and traditionally Democratic areas of state, leading to ten or eleven hour lines to vote – Republican areas abundance of voting machines. (’Why do you hate America?’)

    Support for Bush at low-ebb – There are more people who INTENSELY disapprove of the chimp than those who approve period (47% vs. 30%). Those who intensely approve are at just 20%, while his overall disapproval is at 60%. (’Why are you liberals so out of touch with the mainstream and the ‘Heartland of Amerrka? I mean, if you don’t agree with the Dear Leader, you support the terrists (see Cal’s column today). Why do you hate America?’ (Apparently 60% of Americans hate America)).

    Just a few more examples of the damage the conservative political movement is doing to our fine nation, and how any and every line offered up through GOP talking points is mindlessly internalized and parroted among the ‘base’ (that word truly fits most Republicans). “Get a brain morans!”

  48. Outlander
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:37 pm | Permalink

    kfg: If you are so certain about what’s going to happen in the November elections, let’s hear your prediction. Will the Dems take over the House, the Senate, both, or neither?

    Anyone else want to go on the record?

  49. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:42 pm | Permalink

    Both

  50. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 1:48 pm | Permalink

    OMG this is too funny. A Dr. Seuss verse in response to bush’s “I’m the decider…” blunder. It also addresses his “I hear the voices” comment.

    I bet he does.

    Funny funny funny. Scroll down to the Seuss verse.

    http://www.sadlyno.com/archives/002598.html

  51. J M Walker
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 2:01 pm | Permalink

    DD,Very interesting post. It would seem we have a paranoic in charge of the country (again). And to think we still have 3 more years.

    By the way, you may be fundamentally opposed to fowl who can’t be launched, but are you opposed to fowl who can be lunched? I mean if the purple chicken is consummed, outside agencies can hardly demand the remains, can they?

  52. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 2:02 pm | Permalink

    Funny stuff kfg

    But bush as the Lorax? No

    The lorax spoke for the trees. bush speaks like he fell out of one. Or one fell on him.

    bush as Yertle the turtle maybe.

  53. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 2:13 pm | Permalink

    I like the Seuss idea.

    Nathan and Hank as things 1 and 2!

    Karl Rove as the Grinch!I have some creative writing to do.

  54. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 2:16 pm | Permalink

    Staying the Course in Iraq:

    http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/breaking_news/14377066.htm

    Iraq’s al-Jaafari insists he’s staying

    Reminds me of the musical chair dictatorships we backed in Saigon.

  55. Posted April 19, 2006 at 3:11 pm | Permalink

    No JR, Rove is the Cat in the Hat!

  56. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 3:18 pm | Permalink

    Outlander:”kfg: If you are so certain about what’s going to happen in the November elections, let’s hear your prediction. Will the Dems take over the House, the Senate, both, or neither?

    “Anyone else want to go on the record?”

    The elections are a long way off; much can happen between now and then.

    If Rove is indicted, I like the Dems chances more. Can the fat slob still work his magic (or, criminality – depending on your point of view)? He may be an important figure in how the elections turn out.

    Hank was saying that there were 30 competitive races in ‘06. Anyone know of any useful resources on this question?

  57. Ben Huie
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 3:22 pm | Permalink

    Hank is likely pretty close. Most districts are gerrymandered so as to assure the incumbent’s vistory. Also the incumbent has large money resources (note Tiahrt). Add to that the fact that he can run on his Seniority as a benefit for his district.

    By the way, wasn’t one of the planks in the Contract with America term limits?

  58. writerdog
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 3:34 pm | Permalink

    Repeating the same thing over and over again with the same results.

    It is also the way you make a lie the truth. Or so it was thought in 1940’s Germany

  59. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 3:41 pm | Permalink

    Term Limits? Todd is surely way over the limited term he was promising.

    Anyone hear who might up against Tiahrt this year?

  60. Ian Santiago
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 5:06 pm | Permalink

    You people are still arguing over the rearranging of the deck chairs on the Titanic. You all whine about immigration, free trade, criminal war for israel and haliburton in the mid east and saber rattling over iran but you continue to participate in the “two party” trap, so SHUT IT! How many of you voted for Buchanan or Nader when you had the chance? They say that democracy is a system of government whereby folks get what they deserve and that has never been more true of America today. If you vote for a demorat or repuke in 2008 then prepare for race war/civil war by 2010!

    “…Both Clinton and Bush have gotten away with massive prosecutorial abuses, federal police brutality and dramatic attacks on due process for the accused, all while the people have argued over which side is the worse liar and central manager and not how best to restore liberty in America. So Bush’s Patriot Act is condemned by the left while Clinton’s assaults on privacy were ignored or encouraged. The right called Clinton’s seizure of Elian Gonzalez tyrannical, but think Bush has the “inherent authority” to detain and abuse people without trial or due process. The left laments how loyally the mainstream media toed Bush’s line on WMD in Iraq, but wasn’t nearly as critical when the media parroted Clinton’s Kosovo war propaganda. Clinton’s gun grabbing was decried as totalitarian by the right, whereas the Bush federal government got away with door-to-door gun confiscations in New Orleans after Katrina. (The federal response to Katrina alone should have lost Bush all of his support among those who found Waco unacceptable. Or is the militarization of domestic policy and law enforcement only a nuisance if its instigator is a known liar about his past with sex and drugs?)

    The worst of this problem of the bipartisan police state is seen in the “they did it, so why can’t we?” form of argument. How many times in the last four or five years have we heard Bush’s defenders cite something horrifying that Clinton did or said as evidence that Bush’s actions aren’t as beyond the pale as his critics claim, after all? This is a disingenuous line of argument coming from those who lambasted Clinton last decade. But it is effective so long as Americans care more about their team winning the electoral championship every four years than about the fact that the whole game is fixed.

    If Clinton’s officials conducted a large civilian massacre on American soil, should Bush be allowed to as well? One interesting thought experiment is to ponder what would have happened if it had been Bush who torched the Branch Davidian home. My guess is that he’d get away with it just as Clinton did. In contrast, however, the American right would not be nearly as outraged as it was, or pretended to be, in the early 1990s. The left, on the other hand, would be quite enraged, far more than it actually was 13 years ago. It might even point out that half of Bush’s victims at the Waco siege were persons of color. As it actually happened, the left didn’t even notice the demographics of the slaughtered. You see, the establishment left typically saves the race card to play in partisan games.

    America’s had this bipartisan police state for a long time. It was Republican Abraham Lincoln who waged war on half the country and suspended the Bill of Rights in the other half. It was Democrat Woodrow Wilson who really honed the art of imprisoning dissenters. It was the Republicans in the 1920s who adamantly enforced alcohol prohibition. Democrat Franklin Roosevelt tossed the Japanese Americans in concentration camps. When Republicans turned the heat on leftists during the Cold War, they were only emulating their Democrat predecessors’ surveillance and harassment of Old-Right and far-left dissenters in the 30s and 40s. The war on drugs has been advanced, expanded and internationalized by members of both parties. Both Republicans and Democrats are fervently pro-gun control. Neither party has ever done anything significant to rein in the IRS. And just as Clinton’s men helped to whitewash the massacre at Ruby Ridge, which occurred on the first Bush’s watch, Republican fixers were eager to cover up the Clinton administration’s wrongdoing at Waco.

    The trend continues today. We can make a strong case that Bush and his cadre have set some precedents, but the Democratic opposition offers little hope. Bush spies on Americans with no regard for the Bill of Rights or even the meager statutory restraints imposed on him, and all the Democrats do is whine that they weren’t in on the snooping, and that next time they want to be informed. Of course, they have an interest in keeping the police state healthy and strong. The idea that Hillary Clinton would be more sensitive to civil liberties if she were at the empire’s helm is too absurd for words.

    Waco should remind us that Democrats are no more restrained than the Republicans when it comes to being “tough on crime,” if all that entails is using the bludgeon of state power against all social elements the ruling class has deemed less than human. It should also remind us that that bludgeon is no more surgically precise or benevolent no matter who wields it, and how corrupting it is for those who do. This should really be obvious by now, as the Bush government has turned Iraq into one big Branch Davidian compound and now appears poised to give the Waco treatment to Tehran.

    If ever Americans are to have their rightful liberty, a political realignment must emerge that shatters the dishonest and distracting constructs of left and right, Democrat and Republican, and focuses instead on liberty versus the state. Asking a liberal what he thinks of Waco might give you an idea of whether he tends toward liberty or statism. Asking a conservative about Iraq may provide similar illumination. The atrocity apologists on left and right should be seen as on the same side on the general issue of absolute power. And those of us who oppose mass murder should work together against the bipartisan police state.”

    http://www.lewrockwell.com/gregory/gregory117.html

    V.L.R.B!!

  61. Rage
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 6:24 pm | Permalink

    The purple chicken enjoyed the hearty meal. Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

    Have I been classified yet?

  62. A guy from up north
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:08 pm | Permalink

    BenYou say Bushytail didn’t lie he was just clueless.In either case that makes him incompetent and I don’t want an incompetent such as him running my country.

  63. J R
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:18 pm | Permalink

    Well said Guy

  64. Darwin'sDisciple
    Posted April 19, 2006 at 11:35 pm | Permalink

    Guy,

    You hit upon the dilemma, is Bush evil, or just stupid? A “yes” answer to either question is a problem.

    I tend to think the answer is “yes” to both questions. And, thus a huge problem; mainly for us citizens.

    Thanks.

  65. J M Walker
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 12:55 am | Permalink

    This is a very interesting article. A couple of us mentioned a third party. Read this:http://www.nymag.com/news/politics/16713/

  66. J M Walker
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 12:59 am | Permalink

    Rage,You? Classified? Why the very idea has . . . merit?

  67. Rage
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 1:09 am | Permalink

    Wouldn’t work. I’d just file an FOIA request on myself.

    But. . . no one would know, would they? {shudders}

  68. J M Walker
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 2:58 am | Permalink

    More on the third party, and its prospective candidate:http://newyorkmetro.com/news/politics/16742/

  69. J M Walker
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 5:14 am | Permalink

    Here we go again. Major corporations are enjoying a $106 billion tax break, handed to them by this congress, because of the wording of the AJCA passed last year. A total of over $300 bullion will be lost to the government via the same act.http://www.slate.com/id/2139782/?nav=fo

  70. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 11:06 am | Permalink

    “By the way, wasn’t one of the planks in the Contract with America term limits?”

    Yes, and I think there was also something about reducing spending and balanced budgets.

    But the republicans, now in power in congress for ten years, and in the white house for almost six years, have kinda forgotten those contract on america points. They hope the voters have forgotten their promises too.

    Forgetting and ignoring promises is allowed for them.

    Please remember, IOKIYAAR.

  71. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted April 20, 2006 at 11:07 am | Permalink

    …and just to make outlander mad…

    NO INCUMBENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  72. Posted April 21, 2006 at 9:49 am | Permalink

    Horst–

    For heaven’s sake man, THE NAZIS?

    You mean the people we lost 80,000 men in Europe to defeat? The people we bombed to the stone age in Dresden? The people who only had one “accomplishment” to their name, temporarily over-running neighboring countries and killing Jews?

    Put down the crystal meth pipe and step slowly away from your computer . . .

  73. Posted April 21, 2006 at 9:56 am | Permalink

    DD–

    I know who’s running against Tiahrt, and he’s a kick-ass candidate.

    I’m not entirely sure if he has announced yet . . . wouldn’t know from reading “The Eagle” would you, hehehe.

    I’ll e-mail you.

    Also, “The purple chicken came to my house . . . ”

    DO NOT MENTION PROJECT X ON THE WEBLOG.

    The red frog loves loud opera. Repeat: The red frog loves loud opera.

  74. Posted April 21, 2006 at 3:39 pm | Permalink

    By golly! You convinced me! Living in a facist dictatorship is a small price to pay if they can develop another VW.

    This year, I’m voting straight ticket Nazi Party.

    Zeig Heil!

    Too bad there isn’t the F***ING MORON PARTY you could vote for.

  75. A guy from up north
    Posted April 24, 2006 at 2:12 pm | Permalink

    There is a third party, it’s call the Mahia — posing as GOP.

  76. A guy from up north
    Posted April 24, 2006 at 2:13 pm | Permalink

    SorryMofia

  77. A guy from up north
    Posted April 24, 2006 at 2:16 pm | Permalink

    SorryMafia

  78. Ian Santiago
    Posted April 24, 2006 at 2:20 pm | Permalink

    Hey Horst, they’re playing your song. :)

    http://ingeb.org/Lieder/diefahne.html

    Viva La Raza Blanco!!!