Worried Republicans Glad Election Not Until Nov.

[Khephra]

snip..........

"I'm glad the election is not being held today. But you know what? It's not being held today," said Republican pollster Whit Ayres. "The fact that things don't look particularly bright today tells you virtually nothing about how things will be on Nov. 2."


Republicans said the key to Bush's rebounding is to bring a sense of stability in Iraq. The Bush administration is hoping that process will be aided by the scheduled June 30 transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government.


"They need to have a successful handoff of the government and show the American people that there's an end game," said Republican strategist Scott Reed.


William Kristol, editor of the conservative "Weekly Standard" magazine, told Fox News Sunday it appears people have doubts about Bush they did not have a few months ago because "they're not confident we have a credible strategy for winning in Iraq."


"If they believe we can win in Iraq, I think they'll re-elect Bush. If they think we just have to get out of there, well, why not make the change to (Democrat John) Kerry? 'Bush is the guy who got us in the mess,"' he said.

more...........

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=584&ncid=584&e=1&u=/nm/20040518/pl_nm/campaign_bush_dc

[wtmusic]

1. They're doomed

When Bill Kristol calls Iraq 'a mess', when Scott Reed proclaims the American people need an 'end game' and there is none...the fat lady has sung.

[MidwestTransplant]

31. The fat lady is FAR FAR FAR from having sung.

Don't forget it.

[rocktivity]

2. We've lost the moral as well as military high ground in Iraq

But aside from that, I have a feeling that the anti-Bush leaks are going to continue--at least until this outed CIA agent thing gets cleared up.

;)
rocknation

[Beetwasher]

3. Hahahahah! They Think June 30th is Going to Some Magical, Mystical

Miraculous, turning point!

I can see all the Repubs gathered in together in front of their altars, praying their black hearts out for the June 30th miracle that is going to transform Iraq into Utopia!

Break out the pixie dust!

They'll be lucky if nothing huge blows up on June 30th.

[Spazito]

5. LOL!

or the "Mission Accomplished" banner again! June 30th will be as successful as that trip to the carrier.

[Tellurian]

21. John Kerry needs to do a SNL spoof NOW!

there could be much fun with that Mission Accomplished banner..

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

38. He should. But gives the Pubs "ammo" to feign "outrage" about

making fun at the expense of our troops getting killed (like shrub's "where's the WMD" laff fest at the correspondent's dinner), so, sadly, best to stay out of it. Better if SNL, Daily etc. spoof this without having JK jump into the flight suit.

[Tellurian]

41. Yup, good point...

things are going just fine now...

I did e-mail my congressman today re the statement about Abu Ghraib being the only prison suffering frm abuse after hearing US Representative Jim Saxton, chairman of the House Terrorism and Special Operations Subcommittee say, he had assurance from General Taguba the abuse was limited to Abu Ghraib.

I worry for the rest who are captured and contained at Gitmo and all the other prison camps.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040518/pl_afp/us_...

[Atman]

6. But you forget, THEY control the press

No one independant is allowed in there. If the US stops reporting KIA numbers (which it already seems to have done) and stops showing reports of roadside bombings, and feeds Fox and CNN with plenty of happy video of school children playing and shop owners selling GE Air Conditioners, well...how is Ma and Pa Kornfield supposed to know the difference?

We cannot trust this adminstration to tell the truth, EVER.

[Supormom]

10. I have noticed the lack of reporting on soldier's deaths as well.

I guess they are no longer considered important.
:mad:

[truthisfreedom]

34. actually there were several articles that popped up yesterday. the count

is rapidly going to approach 1000, another psychologically important number. part of the reason it was in the news so much before was that it was approaching 500.

[freeforall]

43. I've noticed that as well.

Was surprised to find that the US death toll was up to 787. I did think that there must have been some soldiers killed in all the fighting in Najaf, etc., but thought they were not reporting the deaths to keep them from looking bad.

Although, with the abuse scandal, they don't look any better.

[Dhalgren]

9. The key phrase is

"a sense of stability in Iraq". There doesn't have to be "stability", only the "sense" of it. If the media fall back into line (I can't see how they can) then this gaggle of thugs might be able to bamboozle the public yet again. But it seems to me to be becoming harder and harder to imagine how they could pull this off. I am starting to hope, again. Now that it appears that the Army is no longer in the neoconnazis corner, I don't think martial law is an option anymore. Gods, hope can be a pisser!

[schultzee]

20. In front of their alters to Satan. lol

[progressivebydesign]

40. But Bush can't have his 4th of July photo op without that 6/30 handover!!

We can't fuck with the photo ops.. doesn't matter what condidtion we left that country in, or the fact we're leaving tens of thousands of OUR troops in a country we aren't in (supposedly) in charge of!

[Zero Gravitas]

47. the "handover" will make things worse

The ignorant & misinformed, who make up the core of Bush's non-fundie support, will think that this handover will be something more than symbolic, that the troop levels will come down and that the Iraqis will be in charge of security. In fact nothing will change and once the reality sinks in, Bush*'s support will erode further.

[n0_data]

48. Democracy Rapture

Heh, you and David Rees are on the same page..

[Beetwasher]

49. LOL! Fucking Brilliant!

LOL!!!

[mistertrickster]

4. Oh yeah . . . I'm sure things will be A LOT better in November ...

Iraq is looking up <heavy sarcasm>

[struggle4progress]

7. They didn't get the memo? There will be a terrorist attack ...

that could sway the election! The only responsible thing to do is to hold the election immediately. :evilgrin:

[Wapsie B]

8. Martial Law

or BBV is their only hope right now.

[Beetwasher]

11. Without the Army in their Corner, Martial Law Will be Difficult

n/t

[struggle4progress]

14. I've wondered if they would use mercenaries ...

They seem to have assembled the largest private army in the world in Iraq.

[Wapsie B]

17. Good point.

I keep forgetting that many military higher-ups do not like what's going on.

[TahitiNut]

24. It'd be National Guard ... under Repug Governor.

It'd only be necessary to declare "State of Emergency".

[Beetwasher]

27. Possibly

Though if he tried that it's possible the higher ups in the other branches in the military (who hate his guts now and want him gone) could step in.

Kerry's got connections in the military too.

Also remember that much of the NG is in Iraq now.

[Danieljay]

36. there are nearly 20,000 corporate paid "contractors"

providing security in Iraq that we know about. These are retired military, seals, marines, special forces, and mercenaries. The privatization of the military will make it much easier to bring about a form of martial law within our own country. There are plenty of mercenaries about.

A retired Air Force member called in to Randi Rhodes the other day, and explained that they are approaching active duty personel in Iraq, "retiring" them and using them as civilian contractors, "reinlisting" them after a while with the promise of a higher military rank. In this way they can avoid having to stick to the Geneva convention and other rules of military engagement. The Neocons are turning the US Military into a for profit corporation.

[Beetwasher]

37. However, They are ALL IN IRAQ

They're not going to bring them back here to impose martial law...

[TahitiNut]

22. They'd only need to have a few selected cities under martial law.

Let's remember it's about electoral votes. Take a few "swing states" and have some "terrorist" threats or incidents. They wouldn't even need actual incidents in some of those cities, if they could get away with "credible threats." Then it'd only be necessary to impede voter access to the polls in predominatly Democratic areas ... and it could be enough to topple the vote totals in such a state over to the "(R)" columns.

Ohio? Try Cleveland or Cincinati.
Michigan? Detroit's a given. (With a Dem governor, this one would have to be an actual incident.)
Pennsylvania? Try Pittsburg.

The "best" strategy would find swing states with Repug Governors and a city with enough Democratic voters that shutting down poll access would be enough to shift vote totals to the "R" column.

An "actual" incident might target electrical power covering polling places with electronic balloting systems.

[Nevernose]

12. "...bring a sense of stability in Iraq."

Republicans said the key to Bush's rebounding is to bring a sense of stability in Iraq. The Bush administration is hoping that process will be aided by the scheduled June 30 transfer of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government.

Notice that they don't give a shit about bringing any actual stability to Iraq, just as long as we perceive it to be stable -- or at least stable enough to win an election -- they'll be happy.

[WatchWhatISay]

13. Republicans said the key to Bush's rebounding is to bring a sense of stabi

Sounds to me like their hopes depend on a (right) wing and a(n evangerlical) prayer.

[ronnykmarshall]

15. Time to pull Osama out of the hole.

Bush's asshole that is.

[Tellurian]

16. Say What?

Are you inferring, Mr. Ayers, that 'WE the People' just forget the illicit criminal activities committed by this White House?

Not on your life. Several years ago, 'We the People' were forced to endured the persecution of the last duly elected president over what? A stain on a blue dress?

The court appointed White House resident has committed dubious crimes leaving many stains on the honor and integrity of our country and it's people. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld must be held accountable. Appointing a special prosecutor would be a start until House Managers can begin Impeachment proceedings.

[CarlWoodward]

18. Actually they have a point

There is a lot of time between now and November. While Bush's numbers have been in the toilet recently, there is little doubt this will be a very close race, and we can't afford even a moment of complacency if we want to get the chimp out.

We will have to fight hard against a ruthless, desperate political machine for every vote until the polls close on election day. They will pull every dirty trick in the book. We can win only if we keep the pressure on, constantly - donate, volunteer, canvas, register new voters, talk to your neighbors, anything we can do to fuel the effort.

This is a marathon, and it has just begun.

[Tellurian]

Yes, a "Run for Your Life Marathon"...

And never let them up for Air!

Keep the pressure ON!

A scandal every week!

[catmandu57]

19. Right now they've just shot a toe off

come November they're going to be lucky if gangrene hasn't taken the whole leg. I imagine that the Iraqis have special plans for 30 June, I hope these assholes keep blowing that note, over and over.

[yellowcanine]

23. Kerry wins a squeaker today, by November, it's a lanslide.

My half full glass side speaking.

[damnraddem]

25. By November, they're going to wish the election had been held ...

back in May.

Given what they're depending on, they're truly between Iraq and a hard place.

[Bandit]

26. Kristol is back in Washington so at liberty to resume his lying

On the Daily Show a few nights ago he told the world that now that he was out of Washington and in New York he could tell the truth. A spectacular admission on his part I think.

[Spazito]

28. LOL! I forgot about that...

thanks for the reminder, that should be tacked to the bottom of any article with him in it!

[Zerex71]

29. Keep dreaming, Republicans!

[boobooday]

30. And Suddenly

Pigs fly.

Bush becomes a genius.

Iraq stabilizes and bursts into a blooming flower of Middle Eastern Democratic Reform.

And then the Republicans wake up.



http://www.wgoeshome.com

[Les BOOGIE]

32. Huh? Has the lineup changed at the Supreme Court?

[truthisfreedom]

33. goofballs. bushco has no hope of improving anything in Iraq with their

bungling and heavy-handed approach.

[74dodgedart]

35. By November, the last thing Bush will want to talk about is Iraq

and don't forget the deficit, or high gas prices....

[LeftIsBest]

39. I love how his support will fall whether he's in iraq or out of iraq

because that's all he has going for him and the war is a complete mess. I dare him to take another month long vacation this summer. I dare him.

[Nashyra]

42. People who have fallen away from Bush won't return

They will not forget the Berg execution or the debacle that Iraq has become even if it calms down. No one who has already walked away from the * wants to think that the next problem that we come across as a nation will be handled by *. Even his 9/11 grandstanding has been tarnished and when Michael Moores film comes out and people realize that he sat there like an idiot after knowing about the 2nd plane hitting his numbers will fall even more. I think that mod repukes and swing voters have had enough of this asshole, and I would wager to bet that about 3-5%of his base will walk away from him. By the election I would put the * at about 38% even if it is not reflected in the polls.

[robbedvoter]

44. Rate it up!

[GaryL]

45. It's the economy, stoopid!!!!

No matter what happens in Iraq (and what these rotten thugs get the press to hide), the economy and exported jobs will defeat them.

[LiberalFighter]

46. Handoff??

Fumble
Turnover
Tackle
Sack
Loss of down
Loss of yards
Turnover on downs
Missed field goal
4th and a yard
Missed extra point