Bush facing hard choices in Oregon suicide ruling

[CShine]

President Bush's aggressive opposition to assisted suicide -- as well as abortion, stem-cell research and gay marriage -- has helped him build a loyal following among religious conservatives across the nation and especially in the South and Midwest.

But in Oregon, a state considered crucial for re-election, Bush's stand could offend secular conservatives more concerned by what they perceive as government encroachment on personal rights. As a result, the issue is an electoral loser for Bush in Oregon and perhaps beyond, political professionals said.

"They ought to leave it alone," said Bob Moore, a Portland pollster who works for Republicans. "We've voted on it twice, the courts have ruled. From a political standpoint, leave it alone."

Added Richard Burke, executive director of the Libertarian Party of Oregon: "Other swing states, like Wisconsin and New Mexico, are states which would support the death with dignity law. He would be hurting himself in those states as well."

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2598061

[leesa]

1. He loves to kill people unless there might be some compassion

involved. What a fully rotten creature he is.

[arwalden]

8. You Said It...

... better than I could have!

-- Allen

[gratuitous]

2. Here ya go, conserva-whackos

Will George W. Bush pursue his famously clear moral vision, or will he turn his back on what he knows in his heart to be right in order to gain politically?

Watch carefully what your paragon of moral clarity does, because it will give you a very definite statement about what is really important to George W. Bush.

[mom cat]

9. His only solution to a moral quandary is a focus group!

[david_vincent]

3. My guess

is that Dubya will maintain his opposition to assisted suicide, betting that, A, he will win Oregon anyway, B, he has the electronic voting ace up his sleeve to help him, and C, Oregon isn't a crucial state anyway.

[gratuitous]

4. Well . . .

I think Stupidhead's going to need every electoral vote he can steal, and for reasons that escape me, he came within a couple thousand votes of winning Oregon in 2000. Kerry has been in the state twice in the last two weeks, and has really been revving up the local party apparatus. There's also a possibility that there will be a "no gay marriage" proposition on the ballot, and even in 1994, the progressive forces were able to mobilize against discrimination. Oregon's going to be a tough get for Bush, but it's reachable, and he may need a measly 7 electoral votes.

Also, Oregon votes by mail with paper ballots. There will be no electronic fol-de-rol in the Beaver State.

[eeyore]

5. One word why it was so close last time....

Nader. I have a neighbor who has had a sing in her yard since January 2001 that says "Don't Blame Me I Voted For Nader". I personally know at least a dozen people who did not vote for Gore last time, but are fully on board with Kerry.

Liberal Oregonians realize that this is no time for making statements against the Dem Party. My gut feeling is that Kerry will win by 5% in Oregon this time around. Bush has not been good to Oregon at all.

-eeyore

[stevedeshazer]

6. Make it thirteen

I didn't vote for Gore, I voted for Nader. I am fully on board with Kerry and will work to register new voters for him.

[Arugula Latte]

7. My spouse voted for Nader

and will not this time around. That's one more vote for the Democrats.

You can't imagine the level of antagonism toward Bush in certain parts of Portland. He's not just unpopular, he's despised.

[crossroads]

10. Sounds sweet to my ears!

:kick:

[depakid]

15. We should be quiet about this

Let the Republicans waste their money here- my thoughts are that based on the economy alone, it's not even going to be close. Add in an unpopular war (Oregonians urban and rural alike have a history of opposing foreign wars- think Wayne Morse) and a Republican win here becomes illusory. Moreover, waging a battle here will associate Bush's long list of failures with local Republican candidates and will hurt them in a way that Democrats never could.

[Don_G]

11. It's Looking Good For Kerry So Far

http://www.mydd.com/special/president

[WillParkinson]

12. "Oregon, a state considered crucial for re-election..."

Aren't ALL states crucial? I'm so sick of hearing how "this state" or "that state" are crucial.

They are right. They voted. Leave it be.

Of course, he's an idiot so he won't do that.

[Pastiche423]

13. Voted for Gore in 2000

Will not vote for Nader in 2004.

But will also not vote for Kerry.

[dbt]

14. So the pollster says to the Repugs "leave it alone?"

Do he mean GET OVER IT? Do he say MOVE ON?

:evilgrin:
dbt