Scare Tactics: Osama bin Pelosi (CBS analysis)

[Cocoa]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/12/opinion/lynch/main1999898.shtml

Five years after 9/11, President Bush went on television to deliver a "non-political" speech on terrorism. As the memorial services and the heartbroken relatives of the victims filled the airwaves, it would have been a great accomplishment if the president could bring some unity to the nation.

But since the 2002 elections, Republicans have politicized the war on terrorism and made it their strong card in political campaigns. They were able to put the Democrats on the defensive on national security in 2002 and they trumpeted the terrorism issue early and often in 2004. Their convention in New York City began with a tribute to the victims of 9/11 and showcased President Bush as the "man in the arena" who led the country after the attacks. On Election Day, Bush clearly bested John Kerry with swing voters (remember those ever-popular "security moms"?) who believed in his ability to deal with international terrorism.

In the past few weeks, the president has been ratcheting up the terrorism rhetoric once again. His decision to reposition Iraq as a part of the war on terrorism has been an attempt to move public opinion on Iraq, as well as to try to change the subject from the worsening situation in Iraq to the scary world of terrorism.

These are serious issues and using tragedy to bolster your poll ratings is a tricky business, but it is something that has worked pretty well for the president over the past few elections.

On a somewhat lighter note, there is another scary image out there this year. The new scare tactic, meant mainly to frighten the Republican base, is the specter of Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi becoming Speaker of the House if the Democrats take over.

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[rpannier]

1. Speaker Pelosi OMG!!!!!!

That means the War on Christmas will be ratcheted up because her becoming speaker will be a sure sign to those who hate Christmas that America has lost its will to fight...

Ohh...sorry. I was channeling shill o'lielly.

[Metta]

2. Fear and smear is all they have.

... always points to their having no real policies to make us better off.

[Rainbowreflect]

8. That truth should be repeated by every democratic candidate,

politician & talking head over the next 2 months.
REPUBLICANS - The party of fear & smear!

[muesa]

3. I think the security moms and pops issue will cut for the Dems

Who are the real "Security Moms and Security Pops" (and "Security Grand Moms and Grand Pops")?

They are the community volunteers who get off of their butts, quit belly achin and complaining - and in, for example Salvation Army, Red Cross, Ham Radio, Civil Air Patrol/Coast Guard Auxiliary, Volunteer Fire Department, Volunteer Urban Search and Rescue, etc.

Historically - a lot of "Spontaneous Volunteers" show up while the disaster is still on CNN -- but they disappear within a few weeks to a few months.

Post 9/11 and Post-Katrina, they are staying, they are getting more training, they re recruiting their family and their neighbors.

The real "Security Moms and Security Pops" and "Security Grand Moms and Grand Pops" have lost faith in Bush. They know it is up to them.

This is not the RW Survivalists -- this the Volunteer Fire Department and Barn Raising "Can Do" Community attitude.

[Vickers]

4. They are scared of ANYONE who wants to uphold the Constitution.

:eyes:

[BrotherBuzz]

5. I suspect they fear CiC Pelosi more than

Speaker of the House Pelosi. I'm just looking at a bigger picture that could unfold. :shrug:

[Jackpine Radical]

6. That would be a delicious turn of events, indeed.

[BrotherBuzz]

7. "What a revolting development this is."

:rofl: