That Kerry link isn't going to work; a lot of folks now think we'd have been better off with him in the White House since January of 2005 than we've been with "GWB, Round 2."
I hope this means that we are becoming savvier as an electorate, and will indeed force the candidates to debate policy issues rather than acting like little kids throwing shovels at each other in the sandbox.
Regarding the Bachman race, I think it will be quite close. Though I don't live in that district, I spoke with Mr. Tinklenberg a few weeks ago, and I came away impressed. I think he'll give her a real run for her money in that generally conservative district.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/
2...in4094709.shtml
The challenge the Repubs face is that the party required absolute loyalty to Bush, who, as the above story illustrates, is a man who's ignorance is exceeded in its greatness only by his arrogance and offensiveness.
Good Lord.. "it might lead to another attack.." If it wasn't ok to blame the US for 9/11 in the first place - because the actions of the insane are their own issues - then it's not ok to do so now. Past that, Iraq is almost CERTAIN to lead to further attacks on the US - not by our pulling out, but by our basic involvement. This is yet another example of a craven man using faux patriotism to excuse an ugly, and wrong-headed attack on reasonable people trying to find a reasonable solution. Perhaps he should spend his time trying to explain 4.5 years of failures in Iraq, before he decides to spend another word blaming the Democrats for wanting a solution that doesn't require us to stay in Iraq another 95 years - 95 years at the end of which there will STILL be the underlying Shiaa/Sunni strife.
My dog would be better President - and it is just baffling that 26% of the population STILL doesn't get it. If the Repubs need to know why a Crypto-Nazi like Frau Bachmann may actually have to defend her brainless stance in a district so decidedly dumb that she's got an office for life under normal circumstances, they need look no further than this kind of shift the blame, accept no responsibility message from George the Lesser.
Leftout...
I believe you owe an apology for referring to Rep. Bachmann as a "Crypto-Nazi"...
Sorry Pat I think Lefty hit the nail on the head on this one.
Bushes regime is as close to Nazi Germany as I have ever seen.
Listening into private conversations between lawyers and their clients.
Imprisoning people without cause and not giving them representation.
Basically destroying your constitution page by page.
His whole Presidency is based on lies and those that have stood back and watched it happen are no better then those in Nazi Germany.
Though it is rather indelicate language, the last time I checked it was still legal for an American to opine that a public figure is a "Crypto-Nazi."
so much for rational discussion
.....You all lost me at Nazi....
Get ready for butt kicking in the fall when the rational middle will serve you another loss.
Doc,
I am the rational middle, as is Flash. We don't have any use for ultra-right wing extremists, lunatic fringe folks like Bachman.
She does not see any reason to find common ground, she's shallow, vapid, and extraordinarily ambitious, a chilling combination indeed. In fact, she's our own local version of GWB.
Pat,
You're probably right, she's not a Nazi per' se, she's merely a facist, and that's an entirely accurate description. She pursues the same "use the government" for business attitude that the conservatives of 1920 pursued. Worse, however, she see's total caputulation to the corporate state not only as acceptable, but desirable.
....Just because you say it does not make it so.....and if your benchmark is Flash as the 'rational middle' then you prove my point.....
Looks like the Doctor has a case of Election Anxiety Disorder.
Doctor,
You are, like most of the Republican commentors on this blog, decent and reasonable. I mean you no offense, and apologize for any given, without reservation.
In truth, however, Flash and I ARE centrists, I do not support a great many of the standard Democratic Party positions, and Flash stands with the Republicans on some planks that I scratch my head in wonder at.
Proof really isn't required - but should you care to hear it.
I voted for my Republican House Representative for 8 straight elections.
I voted for Arne Carlson and Tim Pawlenty (the first time - to my regret to be honest, but there you have it).
I oppose affirmative action and support virtually all of the defenses of the 2nd amendment (and the rest of those pesky amendments like the 5th, 6th, and 14th).
It may be, and plesae accept this is said with respect, that you simply DON'T see how disaffected the middle is, and rightly so, with the tax cut for every problem, brutalize the world, approach the Republicans have promoted for 30 years. It's failed, and the middle-class has suffered for it.
It is time for real comprimise. Personal responsibility doesn't mean tolerance of corruption, compassion doesn't mean a program for every ill.
Respectfully,
Leftout
No need to invoke Goodwin's Law, folks. Bachmann has plenty of faults all on her own, no need to dilute that with fiery rhetoric.
Flash
Doc
So we should blame the "rational middle"
for 8 years of GWB?
Heh.
Speaking of dilution, it looks like Gigi must have whipped up a fresh, extra-full strength batch.
Leftout,
I appreciate your response, and I am believe that you meant no disrespect to the commentators on this blog.
Flash is right (about Goodman's law). If both sides can refrain from knee-jerk hyperbole, which only inflames anger, then, perhaps then, the disaffected middle CAN be heard. You can't be convinced when you are angry.
I support Rep. Bachmann. I was an active volunteer in her 2006 election, and I will continue to support her in 2008. I don't agree with her 100%, but I am very happy with the ideals she represents in Congress. And, I actually know her personally quite well. I believe she is often mis-understood and mis-represented (in the MSM and alternative media). I certainly know and respect that not everyone will agree with her, but it disappoints me that it ALWAYS turns to ugly name calling, instead of respectful discussions.
I don't mean this as a defense of Rep. Bachmann. I can do that at a later time (respectfully 
). But, the "disaffected middle", which I entirely agree exists, is not served by blog flame wars. Because, then, the blog just becomes an echo-chamber of hate-filled rants.
....GiGi
I suppose or credit depending on what side you are on but more accurately blame would be better served to the Dem party for not fielding better winable candidates....its looking like deja vu ..if ya could't win against Bush which could have been a lay up you don't stand a chance with Obama.....I have talked to many Hillary supporters who will go with McCain...sure they tend to be professional woman but what a lost chance for your party.
Left out I hear what your saying but (flash) bucking conventional party stands on a few issues (leaving you scratching your head) at the same time making wild broad condemnation attacks against a party as a whole with contempt does not earn him that label.
I am thinking more in terms of joe lunchbucket or manny middle manager or independent labor louie who will use the smell test and pull the lever. Pundits and poltically plugged in like you and me will not decide this election.
That being said in my opinion even with all the mistakes made by the right it is more than balanced from mistakes on the left. To lay all the blame at the feet of the Republicans is not sensible. If you were to say they each have a lot to answer for the mess ( and it is not as bad as many paint) then I would give you more credit.
I prefer a positive solution approach than the blame game sky is falling tactic Democrats seem to ALWAYS embrace. It is tough to raise positive kids and be successfull in a negative world but it can be done and that's what we should all work towards. That's what the sensible middle is trying to do.......
I know a lot more people who would never have voted for Hillary, because of their hatred of Bill Clinton, not withstanding the thought of a Woman being in power.
That seems to really drag some people down, mostly other woman, Hillary's biggest foes.
So it probably comes out even.
As for McCain, I suspect he will self destruct all be himself.
Yawn,
It is a long 6 months to go, I am going to go take a nap.
....Kiwi
Maybe it does wash somewhat..Good Idea...I think I am going to just enjoy my (short) summer.....hopefully it won't get delayed by the special session that will likely drag on and end up with nothing meaningfull getting done (again) as for as healthcare legislation due to all or nothing attitude of Berglin and her minions.......
Nationally I plan on tunning out until the conventions.... St. Paul is now staged to be a major cluster...One can only hope some sense of order will prevail among the dissenters.
Gone Fishing.......
Goodman's Law should not apply to any situation where one side is in fact acting like fascists. I have spent my life studying fascist propaganda, and to say that is not the blueprint for Republican marketing is to betray a serious ignorance of what fascism is.
This list is all over the 'net, but, it seems, it's never been read by any Republicans:
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion/Govt. intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected Over the Rights of Individuals.
10. Labor is suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obession with Crime & Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections.
These are not the characteristics of Republicanism, but these 14 characteristics can be found in every government historically labeled as fascist.
George Bush is not a Republican, he's a fascist running a fascist party that used to be an American institution. Real Republicans respect the environment, despise corruption, are reluctant to use laws to control human behavior, draw a bright line between religion and politics, etc.
Goodman's Law is just a propaganda device created to relieve our so-called Republicans from having to explain why their party more closely resembles Hitler's than Teddy Roosevelt's.
Good
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