From the indispensable Daily Kos:
" Posted by DeLong at February 6, 2004 07:35 PM | TrackBack | | Other weblogs commenting on this postDaily Kos || Political Analysis and other daily rants on the state of the nation.: Republican Alice "Rubberstamp" Kerr started her campaign for the KY6 special election as a Bush loyalist. The candidate has no independent bone in her, having voted with her leadership in the KY Senate 98.6 percent of the time, so the characterization was good. She could be counted on to stick by Bush lockstep, through thick or thin, irrelevant of what was best for her district and/or country.
But then the polls showed her numbers dropping, despite running in a GOP-majority district. So she was then forced to distance herself from Bush. Bush himself cancelled campaign appearances on her behalf. The "popular" president was suddenly radioactive in solid red territory.
This distancing will reach its absurd conclusion when Cheney holds a fundraiser for Kerr on Saturday, February 7th.
In Illinois.
Seems that Kerr's own internal polling showed a Cheney appearance in her district would hurt more than help.
What's really interesting about this is that this is the district represented by Republican Ernie Fletcher, until he was elected Governor by 10 points over Ben Chandler. So then Chandler decided to run for Fletcher's house seat in revenge -- and the polls now give HIM a 10-point lead over Kerr. The times, they are apparently a-changin'...
Posted by: Bruce Moomaw on February 6, 2004 07:52 PMYes, by all lights: economic, foreign policy, and social (immigration, education, etc.) Bush should be exposed for the incompetent putsch that he is and be replaced in November. As an oldtime Republican let me say that I am heartily sick of this President. HOWEVER. He's going to let his pet rottweiler Rove off his leash and play the Gay card this year. With Kerry hailing from the first state in the Union legalizing gay marriage (Vermont only had civil unions) it's gonna be a 'divisive social wedge' fight. Expect him to tar Kerry as a tax-raising black-loving liberal who wants to teach your kids how to be homosexual using sex ed in schools. It's ridiculous, but it's the next logical step. It's what he did to McCain to beat a man who in every way was his better, though that time he played the race card. And the sad thing is that right now it has at least even odds of working. America doesn't seem ready for gay marriage, and if they're pushed to the edge about that issue it may get out the base in a way that nothing else would. Cross your fingers because Kerry is about to get it with both barrels.
Posted by: Oldman on February 6, 2004 11:49 PMUntil now I had thought that even if Bush lost the Republicans would hold both houses, but I am starting to think that if Bush goes down he may also take a number of Republican members of Congress with him.
Posted by: ____league on February 7, 2004 07:38 AM
Until now I had thought that even if Bush lost the Republicans would hold both houses, but I am starting to think that if Bush goes down he may also take a number of Republican members of Congress with him.
Posted by: ____league on February 7, 2004 07:39 AM
Oldman thanks for your prognosis.
The Rove-tag, (Rottweiler), is a tad harsh don't you think? Isn't this a disservice to atleast the physical beauty of these dogs? I mean show me just one Rottweiler that is 50lb over-weight.
As for Kerry 'getting it with both barrrels', I'm hoping the real base ( not just that Republican base or, even smaller, the SOTU glee club) gets out and shows that democracy is not dead in America. I'm hoping the barrels you speak of have shrivelled to the size of pea-shooters. I'm hoping that there are enough disgruntled under-employed workers that will vote for Change. I'm hoping that the Press ( not just the WSJ)will come to it's senses and see that it is time to reign in BushCo. Is this asking too much?
Predicted results for the 2004 election (unchanged since the results of Nov. 2000): down to the wire, again.
Posted by: Lee A. on February 7, 2004 12:44 PMOldman wrote: "Bush should be exposed for the incompetent putsch that he is."
Excellent insight. One thing: If putsch is a typo for putz, let me compliment you on your excellent error. According to OED-online, a "putz" is "a fool, simpleton, or an objectionable person." (The "family-values" nature of our discussion prevents me from listing the other definition of putz.) A "putsch" is a "revolutionary attempt," a coup. By inserting "putsch" where (I think) you meant "putz," you've linked and summed up exactly what we suffered in 2000: A putsch by a putz, or, auf Deutsch, a "Putzputsch." It needs a name. How about The Karl Rove Putsch?
Posted by: batavicus on February 7, 2004 02:53 PMRelata refero - I tell what I have been told. (Herodotos)
Requiescat in pace - Let him/her rest in peace. (May he/she rest in peace)
Nemo autem regere potest nisi qui et regi - Moreover, there is no one who can rule unless he can be ruled. (Seneca)
Bene qui latuit, bene vixit - One who lives well, lives unnoticed. (Ovid)
Amor est vitae essentia - Love is the essence of life. (Mackay)