GOP, where are you?

[tempo]

What is going on with the Republicans' midterm campaign message? I was certain that by now we'd be hearing nothing but the GOP's Greatest Hits:

- Democrats will raise your taxes.
- Democrats don't understand/care about protecting you.
- Democrats want your kids to get gay married.
- Christians in America are under siege by Democrats.
- We've got to stop the (powerless) Democrats before they ruin the country!

I know the Republicans have been hit with a glut of bad news lately (Iraq, Foley, Ney, etc.), but did that really interrupt their game plan? Seems to me like they never got started with the game plan.

Where are the fear-mongering speeches from Cheney? Where is the army of talking-head surrogates with their RNC talking points? Has the GOP media machine finally lost its cohesion?

Could the Dems, in spite of themselves, actually win this thing?

[monkey neck]

The repubs are doing a pretty good job of self-destruction. Alot of fence-voters are tired of it and ready to give the Dems a chance to screw with the country now.

[twentyshots]

I know the Republicans have been hit with a glut of bad news lately (Iraq, Foley, Ney, etc.), but did that really interrupt their game plan? Seems to me like they never got started with the game plan.
that is exactly it. remember Bush was starting his magical misery tour several weeks ago trying to tie Iraq in with the larger 'war on terror'? it was sort of working, his approval ratings went up to the low forties and then....Foley. these last few weeks completely killed any momentum they had going.

Could the Dems, in spite of themselves, actually win this thing?
somehow i still doubt it. and while in some ways, i would like to see that, in other ways, my long history of voting for losers has me beyond caring.

[REMgirl]

Diehard Republicans are not going to vote for Democrats. The ones who are appalled by the recent actions of their party members and those who are dissatisfied with the war in Iraq will either vote Independent or they will not vote at all.

However, if they stay away from the polls or they cast votes for a minority party like the Independents, their numbers will be reduced and the Dems could have a chance at gaining the seats they need.

I don't dare get my hopes up, but it sure would be nice to gain a little muscle in the arm wrestling match of Congress.

[markalot]

It will start 2 weeks prior to the election. They know the voters have very short attention spans.

[DaHood]

Legs in the air or bent over. It's just a matter of position. We're going to get screwed either way.

[tempo]

that is exactly it. remember Bush was starting his magical misery tour several weeks ago trying to tie Iraq in with the larger 'war on terror'? it was sort of working, his approval ratings went up to the low forties and then....Foley. these last few weeks completely killed any momentum they had going.

Now that you mention it, I do remeber that a little.

my long history of voting for losers has me beyond caring.

I haven't reached the point of apathy yet, but I do kinda roll my eyes at the prospect of Nancy Pelosi "leading" the Democratic caucus.

Still, I gotta support anyone who can take the legislative rubber stamp out of Dubya's hands. Obstructionism is all I have left to hope for. :(

[tempo]

It will start 2 weeks prior to the election. They know the voters have very short attention spans.

Given the recent headlines, that does seem like the best play for them.

[monkey neck]

Legs in the air or bent over. It's just a matter of position. We're going to get screwed either way.

Well said. Until we get the ridiculously wealthy out of politics and fill those senate and house seats with real Americans, this country is going nowhere.

[slopechz]

Well said. Until we get the ridiculously wealthy out of politics and fill those senate and house seats with real Americans, this country is going nowhere.
Which brings me to my one big hope for Congress. Term Limits. There should never be a career politician. Two terms then out you go.

[ThomasC]

I was listening to Rush yesterday (just for entertainment, folks :p), and he mentioned that Bush has no "contingency" plans if the Republicans lose control of Congress. He's going with the mindset that the Repubs are going to win no matter what.

[akip]

I was listening to Rush yesterday (just for entertainment, folks :p), and he mentioned that Bush has no "contingency" plans if the Republicans lose control of Congress. He's going with the mindset that the Repubs are going to win no matter what.

:D :D :D

i guess we've figured out how bush sleeps soundly every night.

[drexel dave]

Easy to think that way when Diebold is on your side.

I was listening to Rush yesterday (just for entertainment, folks :p), and he mentioned that Bush has no "contingency" plans if the Republicans lose control of Congress. He's going with the mindset that the Repubs are going to win no matter what.

[TomZ]

What is going on with the Republicans' midterm campaign message? I was certain that by now we'd be hearing nothing but the GOP's Greatest Hits
After the Foley scandal, seems like the GOP has "cut and run."

[classicgrrl]

Well said. Until we get the ridiculously wealthy out of politics and fill those senate and house seats with real Americans, this country is going nowhere.

the Theory of the Leisure Class by Velben Thorstein was written in 1889 and speaks of only 4 acceptable "careers" for the upper class - one of the big ones is government.

That was a 117 years ago. Don't hold your breath.

[wileE]

Hopefully, the disgruntled Republicans don't stay home and get out and vote either Independent or Dem.

[tempo]

The Republicans seem to have stabilized their message machine somewhat. (This is based entirely on my own subjective impression of course.)

What's really telling, though, is how confident Karl Rove is about getting out the vote for individual Senate races.

My current prediction: Dems take a narrow majority in the House, Republicans keep the Senate.