Can the GOP use terrorism to win -- again?

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/

Typically, when Americans become fearful their support for the president tends to go up. President Bush and the Republican Party used the security issue to their advantage in the previous two elections, when they portrayed Democrats as weak and vacillating. Republicans give every indication that they intend to run on the security issue again in 2006.

Vice President Dick Cheney said on Wednesday that one thing he found disturbing about the defeat of Sen. Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary on Tuesday was that "our adversaries in this conflict, the al Qaeda types, clearly are betting on the proposition that ultimately they can break the will of the American people." (Cheney made the comments after he was briefed on the suspected terror plot, according to a senior administration official.)

Republicans may use the issue against Democrats who voted against renewal of the Patriot Act this year. In the House of Representatives, 123 "no" votes were cast by Democrats running either for re-election or for another office. Three "no" votes were cast by Democratic senators seeking re-election -- Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Robert Byrd of West Virginia.

[mtnester]

1. I don't think so, UNLESS there is an actual, large scale attack

In one of the 50 states or D.C.

Then, all bets are off...it could swing either way, with the Repub base firing up, OR

People abandon those in droves who could not keep us safe (more likely scenario)

[Kolesar]

2. By Bill Schneider, AEI, those who brought us the War in Iraq

That would be the "American Enterprise Institute"

[izzie]

3. Yes I think they can. God and Military power are big deals

People put their 'faith' in it. Even if solving a problem with reason has worked better, military seems like a better deal to many many people. Smacking your kid on the side of the head is also fast to get what you want but it is sure an odd way to go about teaching him how to live.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Always remember: the game is to make election theft plausible.

"The polls had shown that the Democrats were set to take over Congress, BUT the latest terror attack makes those polls invalid."

[lisa58]

12. Exactly...

...set it up so a ridiculous outcome isn't questioned.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. Yes. Alas, it's powerful stuff.

NYC's GOP mayor Bloomberg led his DEM opponent by 12% before springing a bogus "terror scare" on a gullible public (early Oct, 2005).It was debunked ( by the FBI) within three days as bogus.

Nonetheless, he *immediately* shot to 35% lead in the polls and stayed close to that til election day.

He won by 19%. It's not hard to do when they have the media lined -up to act in unison as a disinformation ministry.

[Hubert Flottz]

6. They have since 1952!

I don't think they will ever change! Peace is their worst enemy.

[Philosoraptor]

7. READ THIS

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1888421&mesg_id=1888421

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. It's been 5 years since 9-11

and people are starting to wake up. All of a sudden people are asking questions and realizing that the official version doesn't make sense. I think has more information about 9-11 comes out, Bush & Co will be the big losers.

[C_U_L8R]

8. The GOP is terrorizing as fast as it can

but fortunately a lot of people are onto their schtick.
Enough to win the election??? I don't know.
We need to battle these crooks and liars all the way out of office.

[bronxiteforever]

9. The fundamental failure of fear and terror is that its spreads pessimism

People in democratic forms of government don't want pessimism. Remember Raygun's its morning in America? FDR told Americans to be optimistic.-instead we have the speeches of Cheney to grace our country now!

The fundamental failure of Shrub and company is the way they have tarnished the belief that things will get better and we can pursue happiness. They started with hate for Clinton and then went to fear. People naturally rebel against both and finally, the country is coming out of this dark age.

[napi21]

10. Absolutely they're going to try! What else do they have?

I heard Howard Fineman on Imus this AM saying that the ONLY poll #'s that show Shrub above 50% are those on how he is handling the fight against terrorism.

[wakeme2008]

11. When you lose the newspaper in the city outside of Fort Bragg NC

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x228978

You have used the terrorist theme too many times.

[GeorgeGist]

13. Our neocon friends know all to well...

that Terror is one of their best weapons. But how will they make Terror appear to be the Democrats fault? Stay tuned...

[elocs]

15. The polls show it is helping a little, but not as much as the past.

The timing is right to really ratchet the terror up in the months before the election. It may help more to motivate the Republican base who might be less than inspired to get out and vote in the midterms this year. Watch out during the week before the election.

[Philosoraptor]

16. kik

[porphyrian]

17. The GOP is as subtle as explosive diarrhea.

They might be able to distract people who are already distracted, but too many people are watching them too closely for them to pull it off in the manner necessary for them to succeed.

[Philosoraptor]

18. cheney says we are "Dean Democrats" & we'll lose the war

they are definitely playing it for all it's worth.