Why I think Bush is toast

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

I work in one of the most conservative towns in the Third District of Arkansas, a district so conservative that their Congressman still supported Nixon after the SOB resigned! Asa Hutchinson was the former Congressman of this district. Last year, the local paper condemend our peace march in my home county, saying the government should "reign them in".

It's a year later, and all I hear is people complaining. Rising taxes, the Medicare prescription drug ripoff, the poor treatment of local Guardsmen stationed in Iraq. I have quietly and politely asked if the people are registered to vote. Then I've told a few facts about what Bush has done--and I find that people are agreeing with me! They are all saying that Bush has to go! This includes workmen, realtors, bank loan officers, and small businessmen!

Mind you, unless asked, these folks aren't saying anything. But if asked, they are seething mad!

If it is happening in NW Arkansas, what's happening in the rest of the country?

This is why I think Bush is toast.

[BEZARK]

1. I see the same in very conservative South Carolina

I can't tell about total numbers or proportions, but a number of people who would normally be Republican here (retired military officers, etc.) now are speaking out or writing L to the E.

[Q]

2. Don't confuse GOPers being 'mad' with them...

...not turning out to vote for Bush*. That's a common mistake Dems seem to make: they can't understand how anyone could vote for someone like Bush*...not realizing Republicans always vote the party line.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. These people are saying

there is no way in h*ll that they will vote for Bush! I see a real crack in the GOP. Remember that their famous solidarity came from being the minority party for years and years. Now that they are in a sort of majority, cracks and fissures are sure to appear. Same thing happened in the 1930s with the Dems after the election of FDR.

I've no doubt that many of these disgruntled folks won't vote Dem, but rather Constitution or Libertarian-but that is just fine with me. That still means fewer votes for the Shrub.

[unblock]

3. if you can't make money when a republican is in office,

what's the use?

as far as republicans are concerned, the primary appeal of a republican politician is, of course, greed. but with the economy the way it is, bush isn't fulfilling those greedy desires.

useless.

[Rebellious Republican]

5. See my reply to another thread from a former Repub!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=419516#419617

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. Thank you, Rebellious Republican!

I'm meeting with some folks like you this afternoon. They have never done anything political beyond voting before, and today they are going to be in the streets, passing out information about how Bush has lied and is trying to gut Social Security. After the demonstration, they are going to sit down and hand copy many of Bush's lies to paper which will go up all around the local courthouse walls.

I have no problem with real Republicans, because they hold the same ideals we all do-that the Constitution is our law, that no man is above the law. They may not agree with my policy positions, but they will listen politely to them and try and work with liberals for the best interest of the country. The creatures infesting the White House today are an abboration of the ideals of the GOP. Lincoln must be spinning in his grave.

[Rebellious Republican]

11. Well said ayeshahaqqiqa, yes we are all in this together

I support your efforts, take it to the streets and the people. I talk about the policies and actions of Corporations and this Administrations to anyone that will listen. No matter where I am, in the supermarket, in the bank line, on the streets with complete strangers. What I have found is that many people agree! Good luck today!

[Ripley]

6. I'm hearing it in my part of Dixie too.

Granted Alabama ain't going Kerry. But a lot of people are pissed and will stay home.

[salin]

22. Perhaps the example given in this thread is a good one

start handing out anti-bush information to those expressing concern NOW. There will be onslaughts of propoganda in the next six months. Give folks the innoculation to it while they are receptive now. May not turn them into Kerry voters in Alabama - but it will work to keep them disillusioned enough not to vote.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

25. and target your information

today we talked to folks about Social Security. Since this area is one with a lot of retirees, they were very interested. I've talked with small businessmen about the rise in taxes here in AR, linking it to the Bush tax cuts. None of them are in the rich 1%, and they are very receptive. I've even talked with military families, and given them facts about how soldiers and veterans have been treated.

The key, I've found, is to know when to stop. No need to preach-that turns folks off. Leave them with the facts and they start telling you why Bush must go.

[onethatcares]

26. you are so correct

no need to hit anyone over the head with a bat. They just need to realize they aren't in this alone. I've watched the smiles and the lite bulbs, it's a kewl thing. Last question to ask, "are you registered to vote?". If not, next thing to say, "here, fill this out, I'll mail it". And do it, don't look at party affiliation, seal the thing and mail it, provide the stamp and the pen. I just had a barmaid take me aside and whip out her voter registration card, she's one proud Democrat. Yeehaw.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

31. Way to go!

We're having a voter registration rally next week. Maybe the county clerk will give me some of the cards to take along so I can start doing what you do!

[DrBB]

28. "Know when to stop"--very shrewd point

You've got it exactly right, ayeshahaqqiqa (what's the moniker mean, b.t.w.?). People who feel they have made up their own minds on a subject will stay convinced. "Leave them with the facts and they start telling you why Bush must go." That's it in a nutshell. I've brought a few of my r-wing family around in the same way--nothing worse than pushing them against a wall; they just dig in their heels. But when you just lay a few things out and back off, you get much better results. And Bush has MANY facts that completely erode his credibility with genuine conservatives and Republicans. A lot of those people simply don't know some of these things, and when they are exposed to them, if you simply leave it as "Hey, check it out for yourself," the corrosive effect can set in quite rapidly. The stuff speaks for itself. Nothing is worse for these bastards than the truth. Of course it's a much easier sell now than it was 6-8 months ago.

Glad you're doing this work--you clearly have a deft touch and a wise approach.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

30. thank you DrBB

Glad to know others are doing the same thing!

FYI-the moniker is a combination of my two spiritual names, Ayesha and Haqqiqa. The former means either "woman" or "fortunate" and the latter means "truth".

[Jack from Charlotte]

7. An election with an incumbent is almost always.....

a referendum on the incumbents current administration and record.

This election will be MORE about whether the people approve of Bush's record for the last 3 1/2 years or not. Secondly, if the people disapprove, the opposition must provide someone that the voters approve of. If they don't approve of the alternative.....(See George McGovern 1972).... they'll stick with the incumbent, regardless.

I agree with you. The people are increasingly disapproving of the AWOL/moron's record. And JFK looks like an acceptable alternative.

However, 8 months is a long, long way to go.

[barbaraann]

9. I agree Bush is toast BUT most Republicans are not getting

the important fact that the problem is the GOP, not just one individual or a cabal.

The GOP is a party based primarily on greed and just like when individuals are too greedy, they are easily conned. Cons can't take advantage of people who aren't greedy.

In other words, the GOP is the spam e-mail asking your help with a financial transaction of the political world. Only suckers respond.

The Democratic Party is the party that doesn't promise a pot of gold; instead our party promises just to try to create an environment where you don't need a pot of gold to survive, just a community that works for the common good.

I hope we can take advantage of this critical time to help rightwingers realize that the GOP is the party of suckers and a few people doing the suckering.

[Rebellious Republican]

13. I can't say that I agree with your title statement...

most Republicans are not getting" the important fact that the problem is the GOP. But I do absolutely agree that NOW is the time to "take advantage of this critical time to help right wingers realize that the GOP is the party of suckers and a few people doing the suckering". Not everyone in the party is a rabid right winger, many can be turned, I should know, I used to be one. So please go easy on the lumping together and using terms like "most republicans", its like any other party, there are various degrees of loyalty and philosophical beliefs. Just look no farther than these boards at DU. I have seen many debates and arguments among Dem's ranging from ultra left wing to moderate. Just food for thought.

:toast:

[PDX Bara]

17. The Common Good

Gee, doesn't our Constitution say something about that? The word "good" is not spelled g-r-e-e-d!

[newyawker99]

32. Hi PDX Bara!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[H2O Man]

10. I live in a conservative upstate NY county....

....but even the least gifted of the republican town supervisors are starting to recognize the connection between the bush economy, the growing problems with the state budget, and the fact that the state is not paying the county and towns for simple things like plowing state roads. Small things add up. Many of us have noted on here that true fiscal conservatives can NOT support bush.

[Bullshot]

12. Hutchinson's another one of those losers

whom Bush created a cushy job for, a la John Ashcroft or Spencer Abraham.

In Ohio, several predominantly Republican counties reported sharp increases in voter turnout by Democrats. Granted, the Republicans had less reason to vote since Shrub was uncontested, but there have been other elections under similar circumstances and we didn't see anything like this.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Welcome to DU, Bullshot!

Thanks for your post! I think you've brought up an important point-more Democrats are coming out to vote. We must work on voter registration and on making sure these folks get to the polls in November.

[seabeyond]

15. supposedly a lot of bush

money is being used to register a lot of voters in close states.

[zanana]

16. Seeing that they control the three branches of government...

And the governorships of most of the states, they will look completely inept if they lose the presidency in November. And I can't wait.

[Crachet2004]

18. I don't think current polls adequately express the sentiment in

America against George Bush. I actually think many people are afraid to speak ill of the pResident, especially to a stranger, like a pollster.

I read somewhere, maybe on DU, that Homeland Duhfense had sent a fatwa to 18,000 local police depts. to be on the lookout for almanac readers and people talking 'bad' about the pResident!

This was just about the time Howard Dean busted Bushcos' bubble and other Democrat candidates found their voice.

Is it any wonder people are afraid? Especially the weak in society, who are alone, afraid, and marginalized, even in the best of times?

Think about it. A lot of people are going to say the safe thing, when a stranger calls, because they are afraid.

This is what pisses me off most about the GOP...they are cultivating fear.

The voters in this country need to speak up in November, and return the favor!

[Ilsa]

19. They can't blame this nation's problems on anyone but themselves.

They've held control of the Lege and Exec branches. Only a fool would believe all the problems are caused by "terrists". Their policies are failures; corporatism, like communism, will ultimately self-destruct (and take our nation with it). The best defense they have is to claim that Kerry will be worse than Shrub, and many that have voted Republican are willing to at least give Kerry a try to see if their futures improve.

I love these comments about not needing a pot of gold in order to survive if Dems are in charge. Also, "common good", not "common greed".

Great thread.

[NicRic]

20. Hats off to anti bush repugs !

I have to admire these people ,even though I strongly disagree with their stand on the issuses, I give them credit for speaking out and being honest on bush ! The pro bush repugs are the ones that disgust me.How they can claim with a straight face that this pretend pResdident is doing a good job is unbelieveable. He is and will always be a miserable failure. Millions of jobs gone, billions of surplus dollars, world respect gone, etc,etc, Then to add insult in injury ,they still try and blame our last great President Clinton. Instead of the buck stops here,its pass the buck! What a bunch of hipocrites !

[Poiuyt]

21. I think the way to convince a Republican

to not vote for bush is to discuss how he has deviated from traditional conservative values such as the budget deficit and bush's immigration policy. It shouldn't be hard to get them mad about those issues. And then if we can explain how Kerry would be better on those issues we might be able to convert some people from the dark side.

And why doesn't anyone mention bush's Mars trip anymore?

[Shopaholic]

23. My aunt is a die-hard Republican and she can't stand Shrub

and has no intention of voting for him. I think it may be a miracle. We've been fighting about politics for as long as I can remember but all of sudden, she's had a conversion. I think it was messing with medicare & social security that did it for her.

[JCMach1]

24. NW Arkansas is Walmart country...

I love Eureka Springs though...

In fact, I was eating lunch at the Crescent Hotel there when local Repugs. were having a meeting... this included Asa...

I almost lost my lunch (this was back in the 90's).

From what I have heard, the area has been hit HARD by bushonomics.

[kaitykaity]

27. I have to believe that you are right.

I can't live with four more years of Bush. I just can't. I have no doubts about the sickening things they will do as a lame-duck not worries about re'election' government. This country won't be fit for human habitation when they're done with it.

:scared:

[HEyHEY]

29. He's good with eggs?

baddoom cha!

I agree I think many repubs will silently vote dem!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

33. They've got to carry through on election day

but yeah, even here in north Texas I am seeing him hemorrage so many former supporters it isn't even funny. No wait, yes it is. And good, too.

I have watched it happen in good friends. They went from rabidly supporting him just a little over a year ago, to getting all quiet last summer, to grumbling a bit last fall to now just out and out admitting they think the guy is a douche bag, they are pissed off, and researching Kerry.

But don't get complacent. Keep plugging. Register people to vote. Get active in your local Dem group. Keep fighting, keep working, never ever never let up.