WP: Anger at Bush May Hurt GOP At Polls

[Pirate Smile]

Anger at Bush May Hurt GOP At Polls
Turnout Could Favor Democrats

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 17, 2006; Page A01

Intense and widespread opposition to President Bush is likely to be a sharp spur driving voters to the polls in this fall's midterm elections, according to strategists in both parties, a phenomenon that could give Democrats a turnout advantage over Republicans for the first time in recent years.

Polls have reflected voter discontent with Bush for many months, but as the election nears, operatives are paying special attention to one subset of the numbers. It is the wide disparity between the number of people who are passionate in their dislike of Bush vs. those who support him with equal fervor.

-snip-
"Angry voters turn out and vote their anger," said Glen Bolger, a pollster for several Republican congressional candidates. "Democrats will have an easier time of getting out their vote because of their intense disapproval of the president. That means we Republicans are going to have to bring our 'A' turnout game in November."

-snip-
Democratic pollster Geoff Garin said GOP House candidates have reason to worry. His surveys find that 82 percent of Americans who say they voted for Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) in 2004 plan to vote for a Democrat for the House this year. But only 65 percent who voted for Bush say they will vote for a Republican House nominee, Garin said. The remaining 35 percent say they are open to voting for a Democrat or staying home.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/16/AR2006041600648.html

[pinniped]

1. It damm well should.

Those repukes let that POS get away with everything.

[Erika]

5. Agreed. W supporters need to know they damned this

country into a third world status. "They" did it.

[Erika]

2. Under W, we've become a third world imperialistic country

with nuances of theocracy and fascism.

I've never seen our country sicker and more against the workers and the poor.

Their redistribution of the wealth means to cut wages for workers, benefits for the poor, while channelling our tax dollars to the rich, W's buddies.

[gordianot]

3. Now if someone will count votes.

[ClintonTyree]

40. I was going to say.........

I'm not sure that the Repiglickens DID bring more people to the polls for the last few elections. I think the Democratic turnout was just fine, it was the COUNTING of those votes that is in question in my opinion. The Democrats put forth a Herculean effort on 2004, just to have it stolen by voting machines skewed to favor the Repigs. :mad: I don't know what we can do this year but whatever it is we have to STOP the theft of Democratic votes.

[Joe Chi Minh]

49. It makes you wonder if these kinds of articles might not, in fact,

be "crocodile tears", to lull anti-Republican voters (many of course, traditional Republicans) into false sense of security in relation to the elections.

[Old and In the Way]

4. It's only going to get worse for the Republicans between now and November.

If they are stupid enough to attack Iran, I suspect that they'll be down to a 20% base.

[PBass]

11. Damned if he does, damned if he don't...

If Bush launches another preemptive military action in Iran, there will almost certainly be hell to pay amongst the Democrats (God willing they will actually stand up in defiance to Bush this time) and the 'middle ground' voters too.

On the other hand, if Bush negotiates with Iran, there will almost certainly be hell to pay amongst his far-right base... (Why is the president negotiating with the so-called "Axis of Evil"? Nuke 'em back to Arabia! 9-11! etc etc).

Seems like a no-win situation for Bush, because his administation is IMO terrible at diplomacy. Plus Bush's already declared Iran a mortal enemy (making diplomacy difficult at best, impossible at worst).

[hootinholler]

13. "Terrible at diplomacy?"

Might not be if they actually tried it once in a while.

-Hoot

[A Simple Game]

62. That's not fair!

Everyone know the name of the negotiator we sent to talk to Saddam before the war with Iraq... it's right here, right on the tip of my tongue.

Oh, I'm sure it will come to me.

Well, then there are the people we have sent to Iran. What do you think we have a State Department for, backdrop for Condi? Why we must have dozens of people over there right now, don't we?

[hootinholler]

63. I saw a picture, I think it was Rumsfeld.

Oops, sorry that was Poppy.

-Hoot

[Old and In the Way]

16. Terrible is not the word for it.

I think back to Clinton's time in office when diplomacy was held at a premium. He managed to further our interests by being Bill. The world loved him....it was amazing. When I was in China in the 90s, he was like a rock star. Now, the same people think Bush is evil. It really has hurt our interests bigtime. Bush wants to play the tough guy "war pResident" role, because he is, at heart, an AWOL coward. His character defects are killing this country....and his own Party/Syndicate of rubberstampers are letting him get away with it.

[jamesinca]

19. If he does this, he is hoping for a war time rally

He would be hoping for a "rally around the leader" thing because it "is a time of war". They are selling the idea that nuclear power for homes and office translates into atomic bombs. Karl I believe has stated that national security will be the '06 theme.

[Bhaisahab]

27. I can't seem to agree

Americans rallied around Bush after 911, even though his initial response to the attacks was disgraceful. They rallied around the GOP during the subsequent senate elections because he invaded iraq. By October he will attack Iran's nuke sites, triggering a war where Bush will ask Americans to choose between 'us' and 'them.' Americans will deliver their votes to the Republicans.
That's what I think.

[Old and In the Way]

37. I think if the attack is done unilaterally without provocation,

that won't happen. There will need to be an Iranian 9/11 event to justify. If Bush decides to employ his 'Bush Doctrine' of pre-emptive attack, he may shore up some of the base, but the sane opposition will be even more galvanized against him. The repurcussions to our economy would be swift and dramatic. An economic war against the USD could melt our trade-based economy.

[grytpype]

6. Music to my damn ears.

Lets hope for a landslide.

[sellitman]

7. If Diebold is tallying the votes again

This means nothing. :shrug:

[Hobarticus]

8. We thought '04 was a slam-dunk, too...I'm taking nothing for granted

I hope the sheeple have had their cages rattled and are wide awake, because if not, we're in big trouble, and I don't mean just Democrats.

[worldgonekrazy]

45. Who thought '04 was a slam dunk?

You don't beat a sitting President in a time of war. That Kerry almost managed to do it was nothing short of amazing, in my mind. I certainly did not think it was a "slam dunk," and I don't recall that being the sentiment around DU in general.

[Hobarticus]

46. Let me climb into my magic teleporter back to '04 and find out...

Nope, everyone wondered why the hell anyone would vote for more of this crap. We must've been reading different posts, that or our perceptions were different. Surely nothing worth arguing over, in any case.

[grytpype]

9. Wow, this is a political obituary for Bush...

... he's toast and the only question is how far out the damage is gonna go!

[sellitman]

35. Is Diebold mad at * too?

I didn't think so.

[struggle4progress]

10. R = W!

[hootinholler]

12. Well FN DUH!

Headline of the year. Who wrote it? Obvious Man or Pointless Boy?

:rofl:

But, what's that stay home thing?

-Hoot

P.S. Now don't any of you photoshop people get any ideas about photoshopping Rove and Scotty into an "Ambiguously Gay Duo." Especially you SwampRat!

[ToeBot]

14. "...our 'A' turnout game...", ???

So that's what the Republicans are calling election fraud these days.

[Umbram]

17. Repub. 'turnout' = how diebold makes the election 'turn out'

[regnaD kciN]

15. "Pope May Be Catholic"

What do they mean, "may"...??? :shrug:

[lovuian]

18. Oh the People are angry all right LIVID!!!

They have been betrayed by traitors!!!

[Ecumenist]

20. Ya think?

It's about time people show some sense of common sense. People were so pissed off at this idiot when he "won" in 2004 and frankly, of people I know that identify themselves as republicans, which back in 2004, were quite a few, only 2 were planning to vote for him. People were sick of this psychotic bunch then and anyone with an ounce of brain power understands that these people are only worse and the average joe is determined to not only get a new administration but demonstrate their disgust with republicans, conservatism and fundamentalists.

[cassiepriam]

21. 65% will still vote Repug, that is still very strong......

I am shocked that those numbers are so high.....
then again I guess not. Most repugs are still asleep at the wheel.

[salin]

22. So - they will trot out a Flag Burning amendment, an anti-gay

marriage amendment, and new federal limits on abortion. I read that this weekend (the RNC and GOP/congressional priorities between now and november) and thought - they want to lose. So they will make more solid that 65% or 52% (30 something %) and ensure that the independents, moderates in their own party and all democrats vote against them - as most folks are being hit hard in the pocket book, are appalled by the war - and realize that these three things are NOT the biggest challenges facing the nation at this moment in time.

Even hearing social conservative repub types in Indiana - who aren't full out far right - but have tried to stay supportive of the GOP (oft cuz the church says so) - starting to comment on how narrow the GOP has become - and that a time for change is now. Heck, if a pres. election was this year - Indiana might go blue for the first time since 1964.

[cassiepriam]

23. I will believe it when I see it, that is Ind going blue. nt

[salin]

25. it is a rare point in time

that is why I qualified now - not two years from now. Big part is on top of the honeymoon being over for bush - his Man Mitch has become "Ditch Mitch" in short order - and is perceived as being a tool for bushco (funny voters didn't figure that out before voting for him).

Almost every congressional watch (seats) site I have viewed which single out districts around the country that might flip parties - have two strong possibles in Indiana and one slightly leaning to GOP but growing more towards toss up.

Very possible that the Indiana congressional delegation will shift from 7 gop 2 dem, to 5 gop 4 dem, and starting to be possible that it will actually become a dem advantage of 4 gop 5 dem.

I could not have guessed that eight months ago. But as this is Indiana, and the elections are months away - and I am describing sentiment in the Now - who knows what will happen in November - but it is very interesting.

[cassiepriam]

29. Yes we will be finding out this fall how bad or good it is going to be. nt

[AndyTiedye]

36. But If The Church Tells Them to Vote Republican, They Will. Always.

Even hearing social conservative repub types in Indiana - who aren't full out far right - but have tried to stay supportive of the GOP (oft cuz the church says so) - starting to comment on how narrow the GOP has become - and that a time for change is now.

If they voted Republican before because the church told them to, they will do so again. And again.

If they are wavering now, it is only because the church hasn't reminded them that they have to vote Republican lately.
They will, every Sunday in the weeks before the election, and the flock will obey without question.

You would think that being blatantly USED by the likes of Abarmoff would have made the religious wrong less supportive of
the regime, but NOOOOOOO. Whatever they guy in the pulpit says, they do.

[Brigid]

61. I am from Indiana and . . .

I take umbrage with that remark. We Hoosiers are not just a bunch of Republican sheeple, even if it seems that way sometimes. There are a lot of people around these parts who are very disappointed in Bush.

[Auntie Bush]

57. No, most Rethugs are not asleep at the wheel...They're brain dead!

[saltpoint]

24. Plenty of volunteer work left to do, and even a few days of stuffing

envelopes is a gesture of citizenship toward a bluer Congress.

There's also plenty of reason to distrust this administration. Its lies are layers deep and cover just about every initiative they've undertaken and many character assassinations done through indirect means, such as the SwiftBoat Liars.

Let's take the good news from these data and yet agree to work harder still to get the House to flip in November. Maybe the Senate too if we do a few more days of envelope stuffing.

[rodeodance]

28. Yes, lots of work ahead. LOts. Rather exciting.

[Hekate]

26. Hurt the GOP? I should hope to shout

...This reminds me I have to respond to a request to help register voters locally...

Hekate

[Zorra]

30. Republican Reps and Sens are just as much to blame for the mess

as Bu*h is. They gave him everything he wanted, and all the while they were lining their own pockets with kickbacks from lobbyists.

They can run, but they can't hide. It's right there in their voting records.

[bscottsmith]

44. so true

my rep in the illnois 19th cd john "shimbush" shimkus backed bush, delay, and hasert over 90%. www.stoverforcongress.us

[The Wizard]

59. Rubber Stamp Republicans:

Without them, Bush's failed policies would only be a hair brained agenda.
Our President is a nut.

[TheCowsCameHome]

31. Is the sky blue? Does the moon come out at night? Duh 101.

This is a no-brainer, isn't itZ?

[Lost4words]

32. Gosh! Do Ya Think???

I blame every puke and most dems for this debacle we are in today.

Only a fool couldnt see what was in store after 12/12/2000.

[ckramer]

33. But the freepers are reading the entry

"A day in the life of President Bush: photos & news" religiously daily.

[Baconfoot]

34. Keep calling them "angry voters" oh ye Republicans.

That'll win people over.
:eyes:

*cough* *cough*
Republican: "Oh, phsaw! There, there dearie. You're just angry about a little eensy weensy war we started and a little lying about why we were going to start the littly eensy weensy war. Why don't you come in and have some nice milk and cookies and calm down?"

[HuffleClaw]

38. 'may' ?

understatement of the day.

[warrens]

39. "A' Game = Bigger and better lies

What can those assholes run on? Competency? Spending restraint? Kindness and good stewardship?

Nope. They're going to run on filthy immigrants and faggots getting married and molesting their adopted kids. As usual, hate, filth and divisiveness. Hopefully, enough Rethugs are sick of those messages that they'll just stay home and play tiddlywinks and let the sane part of the population start running things.

[warrens]

41. Geez, that didn't take long...the next story I clicked on...

Vatican City) In marking the Stations of the Cross during Good Friday observances in Rome Pope Benedict XVI called for the "filth" the surrounds society to be cleansed and said the world is in the grip of "a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the family".

Hmmm, wonder who he could be referring to?

[spag68]

42. Anger at Bush

If you want to get angry and sick at the same time, think of the Rep. of the oldest continuous society in the world negotiating with Bush! It's like sending out foresrt gump to deal with albert einstein.

[Dawgs]

43. That's 18% + 35% we need to work on.

These numbers are huge, but we can't rely on them. It should be our job to get everyone out to vote.

[cornermouse]

47. Every time I drive by a gas station and look at the price sign,

I see George W. Bush's face.

[ThoughtCriminal]

48. I hope GOP voters stay home until they develop

Critical thinking skills.

The only thing worse than non-voters are uninformed or bigoted voters. And frankly, people who made the mistake of voting for Bush in two elections have proven themselves to be one or the other and frequently both. I do have some hope for the ones who have noticed the disconnect between reality and the GOP propaganda that passes for media.

THat the GOP is planning a 3-F's campaign for the fall pretty much tells us that they are going for the worst elements of their "base".

[jwirr]

50. What they do not understand in the GOP is it is not just *ss

we are angry at. It is the many crooks who are being exposed. It is the many repugs who voted for cuts in social programs while giving the rich tax cuts. It shaming America with torture and unjust wars. It is the carelessness that defined the Katrina response. It is all of these combined and more. The GOP looks and acts like an organized crime syndicate.

[Redneck Socialist]

51. What the fuck's wrong with the 18%?

"82 percent of Americans who say they voted for Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) in 2004 plan to vote for a Democrat for the House this year."

ONLY 82%?! How the hell can anyone who voted for Kerry vote for a puke this time around?

We (I anyway) thought that enough people hated bushCo. last time around. I hope this article is right but I at least think we have a hell of a lot of work to do to win back either the House or Senate, let alone both.

[twaddler01]

54. That doesn't seem to make sense to me either eom

[brentspeak]

52. Democratic candidates coast on this info at their political peril

No matter how unpopular Bush is -- and likely will remain in November -- it will not necessarily mean that Democratic candidates around the nation will have the upper hand; it just means that a lot of Republicans lose the advantage of having a president campaign for them.

Again, Democrats have to win over the people on their own merits, not merely be the guy who isn't a Republican. Otherwise, whatever momentum the Democratic party has these midterm elections will dissipate when 2008 rolls around.

[twaddler01]

53. All I have to say is...GOOD n/t

[ClusterFreak]

55. The 64 dollar question however...

...is will that anger be reflected in the screen of electronic voting machines?

[tom_paine]

56. Well, it would if Imperial Amerika had a verifiable trustworthy voting

system.

It does not.

Therefore, I deeply suspect the Busheviks will "win again"

surprise...

[ecstatic]

58. Anger at Bush, not an attraction to Democratic ideals?

So, we're going to win by default then. I guess take it anyway we can get it. I hope to see some MAJOR changes come November.

[emald]

60. this pre-supposes a proper counting of votes

Didn't happen in '04, probably not in '00 either but SCOTUS decided it then, and won't happen in '06. More and more machines are counting votes with software that can't be looked into; the stealing of elections hasn't ended.
If there is a proper election in '06 I will be happily surprised but I don't think the criminal running this crime syndicate of a country can allow that to happen. A democratic congress is a grave danger to the "war" president and his allies. Either the dipshit will nuke Iran to gather the country around him, (or maybe instigate another 9/11), or his friends will steal the elections again.
Maybe we have seen the last passing of power in this country as an act of law. I sure hope not. But gwbushit sure seems to have dug himself some deep holes and his vision isn't keen enough to keep out of them if someone starts glaring light into his life and actions.

[told you]

64. Here is another reason why they might loose votes in november..

..check this out:
http://flcoverup.blogspot.com/

[Tight_rope]

66. Aw... who cares about the Cuban vote...

hell they are just like the Mexican's :sarcasm:

The Repuke's only care about the votes of those true "RED BLOODED" American's (whatever that is)!

[told you]

68. I'm afraid the Repukes are very much aware..

..of the importance of the Cuban vote in Florida. Otherwise it wouldn't be kept under the rock.
By the way, any suggestion on how to get this out in public is certainly very wellcome!
(And yes, this is a cry for help! :-) )

[VP505]

65. A very simple

measure of what kind of mentality were dealing with is to just look at the DeLay case. In-spite of all the evidence that the man is so crooked he could hide behind a cork screw, people are STILL supporting him. So it means that we can not take anything for granted!

[DuaneBidoux]

67. Hate to wish for high gas prices but that would be the coup de grace!

[DSperoRN]

69. Diebold will show Dems gaining seats but not quite enough

to change the balance of power in either house. I don't know how to stop this -- perhaps if a Dem candidate reach 60% in a race, they'll be afraid to steal that particular race.

Also, look for gas prices to come down sharply in September or October. They always do when Bush needs a boost. There will also be a new Bin Laden tape. None of which will change too many votes. But they will give an EXCUSE for the media to explain why the Repubs got so many more votes than expected.

[cassiepriam]

70. At this point I will be happy if we are still alive to vote next fall. nt