Despite Image, Cheney a GOP Rock Star

[Omaha Steve]

Full story: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060805/D8JAFVIO0.html

Despite Image, Cheney a GOP Rock Star
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Aug 5, 4:28 PM (ET)

By NANCY BENAC

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - An anticipatory buzz fills the room. Six crisp American flags, erect as soldiers, line the dais. More than an hour before the vice president's arrival, the GOP faithful stand at the ready.

Never mind that Dick Cheney is favorably regarded by only about a third of Americans. To this crowd, in this place, he is a rock star.

And Gus Bilirakis, a state legislator bidding to succeed his father in Congress, is happy to bask in the vice president's glow, pocketing $200,000 in campaign contributions from Cheney's two-hour visit to town late last month.

"He's a dynamic leader," Tampa attorney Monica Lothrop gushes after Cheney's standard, hang-tough-against-terror speech. "It was just a thrill to be able to see him in person."


Vice President Dick Cheney, left, shakes the hand of a sailor after speaking aboard the USS Wasp at the Norfolk Naval Station, in Norfolk, Va., in this July 7, 2006 file photo. Five and half years into the Bush presidency, Cheney's image may have taken a beating overall but he still generates money and enthusiasm for the GOP faithful. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Four days earlier, the scenario was the same in Iowa, where Cheney raised campaign cash for two Republican congressional candidates. Ditto three days later in Alabama and Arkansas, where Cheney was raising money for two gubernatorial candidates.

Five and half years into the Bush presidency, Cheney's image may have taken a beating overall but "he's still Elvis to a lot of the conservatives," says Marshall Wittmann, a Democratic Leadership Council analyst. "When he comes in, money and enthusiasm flow."

Cheney, always a stalwart campaigner for the party, is outpacing his schedule from the 2002 midterm elections. He has logged 80 fundraisers so far this election cycle, bringing in more than $24 million, with the heaviest campaign travel still to come. By comparison, he logged 106 fundraisers for all of 2001-2002.

Democrats hope the strategy backfires, and they're working harder to use Cheney's visits against the Republicans.

[Jacobin]

1. His hardcore base loves him

He's to the right of Ghengis Khan.

Forking warmongering, simpering, idiot

[panader0]

2. Rock star my ass!! I took my kids to the Warped Tour

50 punk rock bands, and nearly all were political. Screams of "fuck bush, fuck cheney" were common. These rock stars hate this regime.

[AlamoDemoc]

4. Thank you. I want to hear such prospective.

[undeterred]

3. there's no accounting for some people's taste

:shrug: I guess they love the taste of death.

[NYC Liberal]

5. Some "people" even think Cheney is SEXY

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a398f393e1b39.htm

Dick Cheney IS the definition of sexy! He commands attention from those he addresses, he cares for his family, he gets things done, and he doesn't run around looking for approval! He has a GREAT speaking voice and a twinkle in his eye! Ladies, what more do you want?

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Lord love a duck, sign me up! I am a Cheney Chick! He made my toes tingle as I heard his speech.

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Count me in! Finally there appears to be someone who is the epitomy of the boy next door!

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Count me in as a Bush Babe / Cheney Chick!! (......)

I can't wait for the swimsuit and talent competition!

[Omaha Steve]

6. Dupe

Sorry. Here is the first post about this in GDP: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2759720

[Catherine Vincent]

7. "he's still Elvis to a lot of the conservatives,"

Then it's official....conservatives are a bunch of idiots! Upchuck!! :puke:

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. But Elvis is dead. Can you match that, Dick?

[Webster Green]

9. Satan worship

Wierd cult

[w4rma]

10. Good. They have chained themselves to a sinking anchor. (nt)

[glitch]

11. That sounds right - he's about their speed for a "rock star"

Kind of cute that they want to appropriate the term.

[Judi Lynn]

12. It figures. Look at their choices. Who ELSE are they going to idolize?

They are hurting. Really scraping the bottom of the barrel. Maybe they can come up with another actor soon, the new Ronald Reagan.

[savemefromdumbya]

13. he probably pays the audience to come out

[Raine]

14. No surprise really

those wingnuts love his ilk, their goal is to be just like him...sleazy, corrupt and filthy rich. :-(

[Jazzgirl]

15. Oh bullshit, he just has a lot of markers to call in.

I'm not seeing a lot of happy faces in the picture so I doubt he's that popular. And the quote "Never mind that Dick Cheney is favorably regarded by only about a third of Americans" is bullshit too. With a 13-14% approval rating??!!?? Give me a break! :mad:

JG

[bumblebee1]

16. To paraphrase Bob Witkowski of atwitsend.org,

Monica Lothrop sounds like the high school girl who just got laid by the star football player. Too band Monica isn't smart enough to realize the star football player is talking about her and trashing her reputation all over campus.

[NuttyFluffers]

17. of course backwash is going to idolize slime...

it's higher up in the ecosystem. they only wish they could be as great as slime.

[FUGW]

18. Yea right, thats why they hide him when the shit hits the fan.