Another terrorist attack, helps or hurts Bush?

[ringmastery]

If another attack on the scale or worse than 9/11 happens, does it benefit or hurt Bush?

Would Americans rally around the flag and Bush or become pissed off and angry he failed to protect them?

[havocmom]

1. recent history has shown it is easy to distract the media

The American people on the other hand, seem to be developing a longer attention span of late.

[wanderingbear]

2. Bennifit ofcourse..

Hell do another one just before the election to make sure that hes got all the votes he needs..

[Junkdrawer]

3. The press would say "The American People" overwhemingly support...

Bush, so who's to say what the truth is???

[neebob]

4. I think we're about to find out. nt

[mot78]

5. Initially they'd rally

but after a few months, they'd turn on * because he didn't do enough to protect them. God forbid we see another terror attack.

[davsand]

6. I think it hurts them a lot.

ANY attack hurts them. They are supposed to be "protecting" us. Anybody else gets hurt here in the US and they have failed that mission. The opinion polls will bottom out nad suddenly the people will take to the streets.

HOWEVER, a foiled attack--heroically stopped in the nick of time makes them look like the "great white hope."

Laura

[booniapolis]

18. true...but...

Do you think Bush would have any chance of re-election if the 9/11 plot had been foiled? I hate to say it, but I think people will find it hard to be patriotic without being able to see some damage.
As for the effect for Bush, anything could happen. If he immediately invades some small, oil-rich third world nation (or any third-world nation for that matter) the media, led by RNC radio and television, ie. FOX News, could portray that as strong leadership. Alternatively, if things in Iraq and Afghanistan get worse and if Osama still hasn't been captured, a terrorist attack could spell doom for Bush's re-election.

[LOL]

22. I don't know

but I spent some time on a conservative site and they seem pretty proud that there hasn't been another attack on American soil since 9/11...they point to that as evidence that Dubya is in control...when I pointed out that there was 7 or 8 years between the first WTC attack and the second and asked what their response would be if another occured...I got no response...personally, I think that if we have another major attack before Nov '04 and the Dems can't come out ahead in votes as a result...well...:eyes:
Edited to add: seems I posted this in the wrong spot and was not actually referring to the post just previous...sorry:shrug:

[Corgigal]

7. If NYC gets hit again

whoever is left is going to be heading to Washington. Imagine those old Frankstein movies and you get the picture.

[acmavm]

8. Can't help much (except for the thoroughly brain-dead). He's told us

time and time again that we are safer now, that Al Quaeda is kaput, etc. If they strike and it's big, that just goes to show you that the little dictator hasn't got a functioning brain cell and that he's a pathological liar. You can't have it both ways, "Orange Alert, a big one is a'comin " or "Don't Worry, Be Happy. We destroyed their terrorist network by attacking Iraq and hey, didn't you see the pictures of Saddam being deloused?".

Jeez, they must think that everyone in this country is either deaf or stupid.

[MuseRider]

9. It hurts them of course

since we are supposed to be safer but it will not matter because another attack and they will probably go to Red alert and martial law will not allow any dissent.

[Killarney]

10. It would benefit him. n/t

[Nashyra]

11. They are going to use this orange alert

as a bogus "look we saved you from the terrorist" they will use this alert in their campaign about how good their homeland security is. The candidates should mention that if they were as viligent pre 9-11 instead of their secret engery plan or dissing the ABM treaty so they could give out missile defense contracts 9-11 would have never happened, or maybe when Asscroft was forced to fly private aircraft instead of commercial the * could have stayed in DC and worked instead of going on a month long vacation. It is widely known that not very much has changed, only it is now a priority.

[Dagaz]

12. One thing is clear

Whoever we nominate better take this war on terror seriously to have even half a chance. IT IS AN ISSUE!!!

[Old and In the Way]

13. There is something every American can do to fight Terrorism.

Vote Democrat.

[JailBush]

14. It depends largely on who's behind the new terrorist attack -

foreign nationals or Republicans - and whether the public learns the truth.

[OneTwentyoNine]

15. LOL,are you kidding??

Our fearless leader only gets big jumps in his approval rating when people DIE,never for the actual way he runs this country.

Hell yes,he'd love to see another attack,most like would LIHOP like the first. But one small favor,could you terra people plan it pretty close to when we have our convention??

David

[Hogarth]

16. I'm not concerned.

I imagne the FBI will arrest some foreign nationals, deprive them of lawyers, and tout it as a victory against the so-called "War on Terror."

That'll raise Bush's poll numbers.

[absolutezero]

17. it would help him until

someone says "Wait a second, he hasn't been making us safer if this can still happen with advanced warning"

[Code_Name_D]

19. Another attack would be an excuse to declare marhsel law.

I think it was Genral boinken who already said that should there be another attack, Bush would declare Marshel law, and repeal the consitution. So weather another attack actualy hurts or helps I think is irrelivent. Patriot Act II has also been passed by secrit voice vote, expanding FBI and CIA powers well outside any cort athority. So he could leagely inforce just such a provision.

[wuushew]

20. Win Win scenario

Successful attack - Response

"Thank Gawd that George W. is President during these dark times, and that we passed that noble Patriot Act the liberals are whining about"

Failed Attack - Response

"George W. is doing his job, he was a good man to pick Tom Ridge, and suspend habeus corpis etc."

[nostamj]

21. i don't think it's that black & white

a SECOND devastating attack with major loss of life would be very bad for bushco. proof positive that he's not protecting the american people from terror.

but........

a SECOND devastating attack with major loss of life would be very good for bushco. proof positive that martial law and the suspension of civil rights (not to mention the election) is necessary to fight the escalating threat of terrorism on american soil.

happy holidays from the anti-christ

[RBHam]

23. Of course it would benefit him, they've already started planning

They are conditioning you.
The last article includes an interview with a Washington Democratic insider who has been at think tank seminars dominated by right wingers who have CONCLUDED that another terrorist attack would benefit Bush. Mainly because the Murican people have been brainwashed to regard Democrats as weak on defence.

You guys are screwed, because even if most of you see through another LIHOP, martial law will be enacted. Guaranteed.

Time has run out.

Official: Al-Qaeda plans something big
http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&expire=&urlID=8381232&fb=Y&partnerID=1660

Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/11/20/185048.shtml

The “war on terror” and American democracy—some ominous warnings
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/nov2003/warn-n27.shtml

[lewiston]

24. I don't know if it would hurt bush.....

but it will hurt America.

[cliss]

25. I don't mean to be impolite, however....

We need to think about how this will impact US. We don't really have a president. Certainly not one who will protect us or keep our country safe. Everything's about HIM and his next Photo-Op.

So if we X him out of the equation, we've got us and the next terrorist attack. Where does that leave us? In a pretty shitty place, it appears.

[beyurslf]

26. Benefit in the immediate aftermath

but quickly turn to anger at letting it happen again. I think the "positive" poll bounce would plummett within a week.

[RBHam]

27. thus,

martial law

tommy franks can't wait