Quote:
Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
The dems have campaigned on fear for the last several elections "They'll Close the Dept of Educ! . . . . etc.
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Well, Reagan and Gingrich both said they'd do that.
Quote:
Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
What is different here, and troubling, is the Republicans have never resorted to cheap fear tactics. I am very bothered by this stance, but my point was, it probably will get votes.
"It will get votes" has always been the test the Dems apply- We've only looked at is it the right position to take- thats why we're so botherd today.
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Well, Hank, I'm glad you're bothered about this one. But you seem to smart to truly believe what you're saying about how Republicans haven't used "cheap fear tactics" in elections and have always in the past focused on "what is right" rather than "what will win votes."
I don't feel like arguing, so I'll let it stay at that and just promise to provide some examples if you insist.
The bottom line is -- this may be a net plus for Bush because:
(a) This is shaping up to be a close election;
(b) the nation is quite polarized, and most likely voters have already made up their minds (per a poll I saw -- 75% as of Dec.)
(c) thus, there is not much middle to go for in this election, and
(d) success hinges on turnout and mobilizing your base;
(e) the Dem. base was already hot to get Bush; but
(f) much of the GOP activist core has been rather demoralized (between fiscal excess, stem cell research, lack of championing the "culture wars")
(g) so the expectation is this will be more of a net plus with the GOP base than an added mobilizer for the other side.
S_A_M
