Would Republicans Purposely Throw the election? And who would it benefit?

[Flabbergasted]

Thom Hartman (AM 620) this morning suggested that Repubs might give in on this election. Considering how poor an image they have now they may be able to improve their standings and their momentum going ito '08 by giving up congress. This would be advantageous currently because the county is in a precarious situation and any slow down in the economy or worse, could be blamed on dems.

So far this year I've believed that this election will maintain the current congress more or less due to electronic voting machines.

What do you all think?

[Greeby]

1. Well, it has been said that the reason this bill to legalize torture..

...and war crimes has been brought up because they know they're going to lose and want to CYA

[eallen]

2. Not a prayer.

[Ignacio Upton]

3. That idea isn't all far fetched

But you could have made that arguement for 2004. I mean, had Kerry won (or won outright, depending on whether or not you think Ohio was stolen) he would have been blamed for Katrina because of how BUSH'S FEMA got fucked up. He also would have had to deal with high gas prices.

[Sapere aude]

4. Who knows what is going on in the minds of repukes?

You would have to accept that all repukes act in unison and that incumbent repukes are willing to give up their careers in politics. I doubt either thing is going to happen.

[ShortnFiery]

8. I've been around them (Right Wingers) my entire life and please NOTE:

Right Wingers HATE to lose ... EVER!

No, if they can steal this election come November, they will.

They are like school yard bullies. Hell, I bet they couldn't lose while playing cards with their children - MANY right wingers competitive beyond belief, i.e., my ultra right wing uncle cheated at Old Maid to beat me when I was six years old. No lie - it's a family joke. :P

Democrats need to Win The House so, if at all possible, we can stop Dear Leader from invading Iran. :scared:

[NewJeffCT]

5. Nope

The good or bad economy is primarily blamed on the president.

However, a long line of Team Bush officials getting grilled by Congress will not look good for their party.

[AtomicKitten]

6. I have heard the twisted strategy

that losing Congress will benefit the Republics in 2008. However, I don't think America will forget who was in charge over the last several years, particularly when investigations begin in earnest. I think this is a way of dealing with the presumed outcome in November, unfortunately it won't be of much comfort during congressional hearings of the pile of felonies left yet to be addressed.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. I've thought about that, too.

But I concluded they wouldn't be able to actually do it, even if the string pullers wanted to. It would mean too many of their lock-steppers falling on too mnay swords.

Froma strategic perspective, however, it makes perfect sense.

It keeps the illusion of democracy alive.

It allows them to blame the Democrats for every shitstorm we ***know*** is brewing (like the economy).

It allows them to have a platform to run on in 08, when they'd actually pull a coup and end our 300 year experiment in democracy.

[bowens43]

9. That's silly.

[nam78_two]

10. They could *say* they are throwing it just so

when they do lose, they save face :shrug:?
"Oh we weren't trying that hard anyway..."
Who knows how these people think? The RW mind is hard to fathom....

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Let them throw it. Then we'll build on it for '08 and throw the rest out.

[lumberjack_jeff]

12. No. However...

If they were going to throw it, (this presupposes that they knew that they were going to lose anyhow), there is a Machivellian argument to throw it using hacked voting machines.

The result is that the incoming officials would be perceived as having gotten their offices illegitimately. They'd only do this if it were a best-case scenario.

If they believe they have a chance to retain control, by hook or by crook, then there's no possibility.

They have a lot to lose in the run-up to '08 if the congress is run by Dems.