War May Hurt GOP in Heartland (LA Times)

[norml]

War May Hurt GOP in Heartland
As unease about Iraq mounts, Republicans worry how that will affect their election bids.

By Maura Reynolds and Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writers
10:20 PM PST, March 25, 2006


SEYMOUR, Ind. — As Liz Larrison cooks up breakfast for customers at her family's diner in a farm town long friendly to the Republican Party, she listens as the regulars sling political opinions as easily as she slings ham steaks.

Increasingly, the talk these days revolves around Iraq, and it is the kind of talk that could spell trouble for the GOP. "Nobody is against the people fighting the war. I think you'll hear that everywhere," she said. "We're just against it going on and on."

On top of other woes confronting Republicans, the continuing violence in Iraq and President Bush's message last week that the deployment would last several more years has heightened Republicans' concerns about how voters such as Larrison will view the party in the November elections.

In fact, Larrison — who, like many of her customers, considers herself independent but tends to vote for Republicans — says she will vote against her Republican congressman.

Even in the heartland, Democrats suddenly see advantage on an issue usually considered a GOP trump card: national security.

Baron Hill, who hopes to unseat the Republican who represents this region of Indiana, said it used to be hard for Democrats to criticize the Iraq war without sounding unpatriotic.

"Not anymore," Hill said in an interview. "I think people are very skeptical now about what is going on over there, and you have more freedom to talk about Iraq."


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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-iraqpol26mar26,0,7789906.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[vogonjiltz]

1. So the repugs like the war...

but not the consequences. What a bunch of whiners. I will however welcome their votes.

[Rainscents]

3. I think what she was saying, We supported Bush one time, but since

he made that stupid comment about "We are not leaving until after I leave the office" is the final straw broke the camels back. :evilgrin:

[K8-EEE]

2. The Gig Is Up....

I'm seeing more and more people like this all the time. Most of the people who I fought with on the onset of the war now "don't want to talk about it" or "think all politicians are corrupt" or whatever. They used to be so Shrub-Happy!! You just don't see that anymore outside of FR (lunatic fringe.)

[bluestateguy]

4. We have to wait 7 1/2 months to vote

That makes me nervous.

[dogfacedboy]

5. The war WILL hurt the GOP in the heartland. Bet on it. n/t

[Chevy]

6. The question is

what about an October surprise?How would the sheep react with an attack against Iran would they fall back in line or would they turn against Bush. A pre-emtive strike against Rove should
be in the works now saying that they are planning an attack against Iran for political purposes and by possibly launching a terrorist attack on American soil by political allies of Bush. They of course
would deny it but it would be out there to ponder and somewhat tie their hands.