Will gays, guns and God work again for the thugs this November?

[Cyrano]

Gay bashing -- the right to own a rocket launcher -- and "God is a Republican": These three tactics have brought presidential and congressional elections close enough to be stolen for the past six years. We can't let it work again.

For Karl Rove, the next election starts three seconds after the last one ended. His diseased, flying monkeys have been out there for the past two years selling their poison to get every homophobe, Rambo, and fundie who can breathe, walk or crawl to the polls.

This year's election is the most important one in the history of our country. If we can't take back either the house or the senate, I don't believe we'll ever get another chance to stop these criminals. Two more years of absolute power will solidify their position as a fascist threat to the entire world.

I know that many, many DUers are doing whatever they possibly can to ensure a huge Democratic turnout this year. It's imperative that everyone get involved, whatever your age or abilities. Whether it's knocking on doors, working the phones, licking stamps, driving the elderly to the polls, anything you can do will help to maximize the turnout. Call your local Democratic party and ask how you can help.

[paparush]

1. Yes...and so will crooked Secretaries of state and crooked voting machine

CEO's and crooked hoods who jam phone lines, slash tires, etc..etc..etc...

The rethugs have got this whole stolen election thing down to a science. The lapdog press is a nice accessory too...

[patricia92243]

2. Yes. The blessing from heaven to the Republicans if the subject of gay ma

marriages. They will have DECADES of success with this. This juicy tidbit makes abortion, welfare queens, burning the flag and anything else pale in comparison.

Unfortunately, the victims of their success are the many couples that would like to be an acknowledged family.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. I think those dead horses are buried in the sands of Iraq.

I'm sure they'll try to flog them back to life, but they've pretty well worn them out, save for the true believers.

They've moved on to the Mexican bogeyman, but even that seems to have fizzled.

Poor Karl, he's running out of hobgoblins to frighten the voters with. Not that he'll give up trying to erect some - perhaps the threat of Gay, Gypsy, terrorists from Lichtenstein, coming to take our jobs?

[Nikki Stone 1]

4. Do boobs work for car manufacturers, beer companies, etc, etc, etc

Sorry, but betting on the knee-jerk reaction is a safe bet. Sigh.

[CottonBear]

5. It sure will help them here in Georgia.

Here in newly Republican Georgia, even Democrats are scared to support gay rights. :(

The only issue that Republicans are not touching with a 10 foot pole is the Georgia state flag issue. The "flaggots" are really mad at R-Gov. Sonny Perdue. He's trying to avoid them while appealing to businessmen, fundies and social conservative types.

[Tinksrival]

6. It will work for 28% of the population

They also have a high voter turnout for this 28%. We have to work not only against this but also turnout apathy and election voting process crimes.

[Sammy Pepys]

7. Well, to be realistic here....

"Gays, God and guns" is the same tack we take in our campaigns....we just go a different direction ;) :D

[Dr Fate]

11. not really- DEMS have mostly tried to downplay or ignore those issues.

I dont see national DEM strategists or law-makers following the lead of "the far left" on those issues much at all.

[Sammy Pepys]

12. Downplay or ignore gay marriage?

Maybe on God or guns you've got a point, but certainly not gay issues.

[Dr Fate]

15. DEM talk of Gay issues is mostly responses to the GOP/media.

I have not seen too many national, mainstream Democrats with media access bringing the issue to the table.

Most or all of the ballot iniciatives were placed there by Republicans.

It's moslty activists on both sides of the issue and Republicans bringing it up.

[flamin lib]

8. I'm not sure. The Repubs made a big deal about gay marriage

and abortion in '00, '02 and again in '04. Nothing got done and as soon as the elections were over the issues evaporated. I think the Moderate Christians out there that had been motivated by the far right in the past are beginning to look at core Christian values, as in the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus taught forgiveness, helping the poor and the sick and the worthlessness of wealth for wealth's sake. That sounds an awful lot like Democratic values to me.

[LondonReign2]

9. Has 52% of America gotten any smarter since '04?

Probably not, so they probably will.

[slackmaster]

10. No more than hyperbolic bashing of others' attitudes will work for us

History is pretty consistent.

[Dr Fate]

13. It will work unless the DEM "strategists" magically grow some balls.

The way to combat these issues to to come back with a very pointed and aggressive responses- like:

"My opponent is too dishonest and corrupt to talk about the REAL issues that affect your life..."

"If my opponent is such a good Christian, then when will he speak out against liars & criminals like Bush & Cheney?"

"My opponent cares more about being in line with televangelists, militias and the Ku-Klux Klan than adressing issues that affect your pocket book..."

"If my opponent cares so much about marriage, then why did he get divorced? It is apparent that he is too dishonest & hypocritical to do anything to fix the REAL issues..."

"Why is my opponent so obsseesed with gay sex? I think he has a bizzare psychological fixation on other men's private sex lives. WHY does he spend so much time thinking about gay men? I think he needs to pay more attention to his wife..."

etc, etc.

Of course, no Democrat will EVER say these things- so yes, the God, Guns & Gays will work to an extent.

[demosincebirth]

14. I think so. Mercan voters are not too smart.

I think that until the repugs, in power, have drained every last cent that the middle class in this country have...and maybe, we may...kind of...sort of...wake up. And I still have may doubts.

[Ian David]

16. It might. See related thread: What we're up against, and why it's worse...

What we're up against, and why it's worse than you probably think
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2753860&mesg_id=2753860

[guinivere]

17. Hells yeah.

They have a "winning" combo there, that they will not readily give up.

[Solo_in_MD]

18. Works for me

I pray regularly that the Godess will bless the Pink Pistols.

[pinto]

19. I don't think so.

Strawmen aren't going to swing the elections this time, imo.

[benEzra]

20. Thoughts on the gun issue...

There is a fringe in the party that acts as if outlawing civilian rifles and shotguns with handgrips that stick out is the most important issue in the whole damn platform. They got Senator Kerry to cosponsor such a ban in '04, and that really hurt him in pro-gun states, just like it cost Gore TN and WV (and the election) in '00.

Trying to legislate 19th-century-fogey stock styling for civilian rifles that are rarely misused is irrational and counterproductive, and plays right into the "Dems'll take yer guns" trap.

Dems and the Gun Issue - Now What?

Now that the 1994 Feinstein law has expired and a lot of Dems have wised up to the "assault weapon" bait-and-switch (as well as to the fact that most gun owners are NOT hunters), I expect it won't be such an issue this time around. But if someone with pro-ban views does get the nomination, that could change for the worse.

[derby378]

21. I'm not pro-ban - I'm pro-choice

:toast: