Say Anything Blog

Of course swing voters are important. They decide every national election and a good percentage of the state ones.

I think it’s hilarious that the Republicans are losing support, and everyone just assumes it’s because of the war.

I’ve been saying that the Republicans are losing support for a while now, but it’s not Iraq.  It’s profligate spending, corruption and a complete abandonment of small-government principles.

OF course, that fact isn’t convenient for Mike’s argument.  Or anyone else’s on the left, so they ignore it.

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

In the recent runoff for the special election to fill the 10th CD seat of deceased Congressman Charlie Norwood, the GOP establishment candidate, state senator Jim Whitehead, was edged out by outsider and movement conservative Dr. Paul Broun.

CNN had characterized the race, the first since Democrats re-took control of Congress, as,

…a possible harbinger of next year’s congressional campaigns.  A strong Democratic showing in the GOP leaning district could spell more trouble for Republicans next year as the war in Iraq continues to loom.

(Note the breathless angst of the leftwing CNN!)

The race originally included 3 Democrats, a Libertarian, and six Republicans.  Broun was easily the most conservative of all the candidates… and the longshot He campaigned as a conservative, and promised to vote as one, rather than become absorbed by the Washington insider network of “go along to get along.”

Broun, a supporter of the war in Iraq, took strong positions against illegal immigration, and in favor of a strengthened military, limited government, low taxes and personal property rights.  He promised a four part test for proposed legislation, which he said must be constitutional and “a proper function of government”, morally correct, necessary, and affordable.

Judging by the real world result of this election, it would seem that although voters are certainly weary of the war Iraq, and the constant drumbeat of media opposition, they do not support a retreat a la Vietnam.

Furthermore, judging by Dr. Broun’s victory, voters would be quite happy with conservative in power, if only they would behave as conservatives rather than merely making the necessary pre-election noises.

If Republicans can get their act together, and convince voters that they are ready to govern and behave like the conservatives they purport to be and not like a bunch of “me too” liberal Democrats, there is every likelihood that they can re-take Congress in 2008.

“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Rob...I have no doubt that many Republican supporters are disappointed with their elected leaders for reasons other than Iraq. My “argument” is that both parties are losing support and your point certainly helps to explain why the Republicans in particular are losing support.

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC

I’ve been saying that the Republicans are losing support for a while now, but it’s not Iraq.  It’s profligate spending, corruption and a complete abandonment of small-government principles.

Yep that is what it is, the problem is that I can’t believe that if your mad at your GOP rep and your a die hard republican I am still not going to vote democratic.

Check out:
Goon’s North Dakota Red Neck
Goon’s World

Gon: That is why Democrats should not take any comfort in the Republican discontent at the moment, on election day very few would be so stupid as to vote for Democrat. The only fear is that enough are sufficiently disgusted to sit out an election, altough it is understandable.

Some people are high on Fred Thompson and others on Newt; well until Thompson gets into the battle and shows his mettle under fire, my support could not be described as being very passionate at this moment; and I would never vote for Newt even though his conservative credentials are without question, I cannot stand his attacks in the past two years on Bush and recently on fellow Republicans, as I believe in Reagan’s 11th Comandment and I reject Newt’s raging megalomania.

No matter the age or state of health, for a military man it is always glorious to tilt at windmills, rescue a fair Dulcinea and be a gallant knight in armor in a glorious cause.

Neiman...it’s true that die hard Republicans would rather stay home than vote for a Democrat. That being said, the public unhappiness with the Republicans, for whatever reason, suggests that the swing voter may be more motivated to vote in 2008 and that doesn’t sound like good news for your side.

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC

MikeA: I think those who are on the side of the US have no other choice than to vote Republican, as the Dems no longer support anything I can identify as standing for, or strengthening US values.  I have been watching this trend develop for the last fifty years, so it didn’t just happen yesterday.

If life doesn’t begin at conception, why do they call it birth control?

Neiman...it’s true that die hard Republicans would rather stay home than vote for a Democrat. That being said, the public unhappiness with the Republicans, for whatever reason, suggests that the swing voter may be more motivated to vote in 2008 and that doesn’t sound like good news for your side.

That is an assumption that the left is trying to bank on but It’s not a given. I would rather vote for a crappy republican or stay home than vote for a democrat.

Check out:
Goon’s North Dakota Red Neck
Goon’s World

MikeAdamson: I agree with your analysis to a degree; however, . . .

1. For the House, most elections are local and because of gerrymandering congressional districts any changes will probably be minor and could shock many by swinging back slightly the other way just as easily. Although, at this moment I don’t have a lot of faith in the GOP to get off their asses and getting the Congress back.

2. The Senate, again if there are changes there will only be a few seats and whoever gets the White House will probably dictate the direction of that change. I suspect the Senate will stay pretty close to it’s present numbers because the American people rightly like divided government.

3. The Independents could swing the 2008 election to the Democrats, especially if the Republican base is not motivated. On the other hand, going to Hillary or Obama will not, in my opinion, excite the middle very much. Plus, Nader may still get in or that ass mayor of New York, which would make the Democrats shake in fear as either one can funnel off just enough votes to make the difference.

4. The funny thing is, on election day in a presidential election year, despite everything, there is no trust in the Democrats in Congress or Democrats in general regarding national security; and even independents and many Democrats once they get in the voting booth will find it very hard to vote for someone absent a clear message and commitment to protect the country and I don’t see Hillary, Edwards or Obama projecting an image of Commander-In-Chief.

I think this election cycle will prove unique in many ways and yet, after 6+ decades of life, I doubt the change will be terribly profound because of the common sense of the American people.

No matter the age or state of health, for a military man it is always glorious to tilt at windmills, rescue a fair Dulcinea and be a gallant knight in armor in a glorious cause.

I think those who are on the side of the US have no other choice than to vote Republican…

I think you mean those who share your vision of the US unless you happen to believe that the majority of Americans aren’t on the side of the US in which case I’ll sadly shake my head and move along.

goon...I don’t think you qualify as a swing voter though although I’m just assuming.

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC

Neiman...interesting comments. Time will tell I suppose.

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC

I think you mean those who share your vision of the US Of course, but that doesn’t invalidate my vision of the US, does it? unless you happen to believe that the majority of Americans aren’t on the side of the US No, I think a great majority of Americans are on the side of the US, but the lies, half-truths and outright fabrications of the Dems and their propaganda arm(the MSM) have been quite successful in hiding and obscuring the truth of their anti-US ideology from the public in general.  I think the veil is getting very thin, however. in which case I’ll sadly shake my head and move along. You can do whatever you want with your head, but that doesn’t alter the truth.  The Dems want defeat for this country, in many ways. Their enviro wing wants to destroy our wealthy economy, and their leading Presidential candidate wants to take the profits of business and use them for her authoritarian political purposes.  In the main, lefties want to divide Americans into interest groups, buy their votes with promises of security with other peoples’ money, and then set the groups against each other, to prevent unity.  They are also intolerant of any diversity of opinion, and seek to censor it(the so-called “Fairness Doctrine”.

If life doesn’t begin at conception, why do they call it birth control?

MikeA: I think maybe you are taking the public opinion polls as representing some sort of truth.  Not so.  It’s not so much that the people who pay for the polling are trying to advance an agenda to bypass the election process, but that polling is simply inaccurate by nature.  It is totally dependent on the exact wording of the question or questions, the gender of the pollster, the way they are dressed, and who they choose to interview.  It is a totally human process, subject to the imperfection of human beings, and is the opposite of science.  It is much more akin to witchcraft.

If life doesn’t begin at conception, why do they call it birth control?

I think maybe you are taking the public opinion polls as representing some sort of truth.  Not so.

A stab at the truth based on the principles of probability then. I’m quite aware that they’re not perfect, that some polls are useless for the reasons you state and that they’re not a substitute for elections. They’re still reasonably accurate enough of the time to offer some value however.

It is a totally human process, subject to the imperfection of human beings, and is the opposite of science.  It is much more akin to witchcraft.

I have to disagree. Probability theory is grounded in science...I’ll agree that we can’t get results as reliable and precise as in the natural sciences but to say that polling is the opposite of science and more akin to witchcraft… :0

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC

r108

Of course, but that doesn’t invalidate my vision of the US, does it?

It doesn’t but it’s a far cry from:

I think those who are on the side of the US have no other choice than to vote Republican,…

You can do whatever you want with your head, but that doesn’t alter the truth.

Your perception of the truth is mistaken IMO. A majority of Americans do not believe that the Democrats wish to destroy the US and, while you can draw comfort from your belief in the existence of a massive propaganda campaign designed to hoodwink the public, I’m afraid that your “vision” is not shared by many.

"The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced if the nation doesn’t want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”
Cicero, 55 BC

I have to disagree. Probability theory is grounded in science…

I agree, and that comes into play when the information has been generated.  However, I was speaking of the actual gathering of the information, and that is where the “witchcraft” applies.  GIGO

If life doesn’t begin at conception, why do they call it birth control?