WP: Republicans Losing The 'Security Moms'

[kskiska]

Friday, August 18, 2006; A01

CLINTONVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 17 -- Married women with children, the "security moms" whose concerns about terrorism made them an essential part of Republican victories in 2002 and 2004, are taking flight from GOP politicians this year in ways that appear likely to provide a major boost for Democrats in the midterm elections, according to polls and interviews.

This critical group of swing voters -- who are an especially significant factor in many of the most competitive suburban districts on which control of Congress will hinge -- is more inclined to vote Democratic than at any point since Sept. 11, 2001, according to data compiled for The Washington Post by the Pew Research Center.

Married mothers said in interviews here that they remain concerned about national security and the ability of Democrats to keep them safe from terrorist strikes. But surveys indicate Republicans are not benefiting from this phenomenon as they have before.

Disaffection with President Bush, the Iraq war, and other concerns such as rising gasoline prices and economic anxiety are proving more powerful in shaping voter attitudes.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/17/AR2006081701484.html

[Malikshah]

1. Good riddance to bad rubbish for those that supported the GOP

"Security Moms" voting for the regime are neither Security minded or maternal.

We told you so isn't enough.

[DemoTex]

2. Hard to fuel those soccer S.U.V.s.

Harder, yet, to contemplate the ways and means of future military personnel needs. Both weigh in, IMHO. Know what I mean, Vern?

[deutsey]

26. Yep, they're realizing their precious soccer kids are going to be grist

for the Bushevik meat grinder. :evilfrown:

[ninkasi]

3. I believe that any

mother who loves her children is horrified at the thought of Republicans maintaining control of all branches of government. They know that to Bush and his cronies, their children are good for nothing but cannon fodder, and tax-payers, and are also alarmed at the way the job situation has gone downhill. I cannot imagine any loving mother deciding to cast a vote for this idiot, or for his enabling Republican congresspersons.

[KingFlorez]

4. It's the Last Midnight! It's the last curse!

It's all over for the Republicans, it's all over

[TomInTib]

11. If this free-fall continues, it will be over for decades. nt

[comtec]

22. Don't dance in the street too quickly

Remember in 2004

we were all saying the same things.... it's over, the blow monkey in office is toast and going back to being a drunk huddling in a dark alley somewhere dying from liver problems associated with heavy drinking.... but no.

the chimp got back in office.

Mark Marron got kicked off Air America

and we got another 4 years of this... !

Yes this is good, great even. But these power drunk monsters will do anything to keep their power. We have to be a hundred times more vigilant than we were in '04! We must prevent them from doing 9/11 again and again! However many times they need to keep the sheep in line!

Americans are by and far sheep. We here at DU are the herders and the sheep dogs! We have to protect the other sheep from these wolves, or we may never be able to take back control.

On one last point. Does anyone else remember that BEFORE 9/11 bush n co were INCHES away from being impeached!? even the GOP was ready to take him down 6 MONTHS after stealing office they realized what a disaster this puppet and cheney are!

just food for thought.

[ribrepin]

58. I like the idea of being a sheep dog.

I've never thought of myself as a herder or a sheep dog before, but I like it.

[newspeak]

62. it's really simple, actually

I believe Coulter stated that women shouldn't vote--all the repukes have to do is take away women's voting rights and BINGO-another repuke in. See how simple? And, I've heard the League of Women Voters will no longer be registering voters because of some damn stupid law (it might be in certain states or is it Federal?) Anyway, if you lose one of those registration forms it could be a 5,000 dollar fine for each one they lose. Now that could really put a crimp in someone's pocketbook--the League of Women Voters cannot afford it. However, here in good old Nevada you can have an organization rip up Democratic registrations, have a judge determine that those whose registrations were destroyed cannot re-register and have the head of such organization be invited to the inaugural ball---no fines, no jail time---go figure!

[connecticut yankee]

5. I hope

it spreads to Connecticut.

[mark414]

6. why does it seem that the people most afraid of "terrorists"

are the people who live in areas that are least likely to be hit?

suburbanites scared of terrorism? gimme a fuckin break

glad they're finally waking up though...

[Mz Pip]

36. NYC

went 85% for Kerry. My son stood in line for 2 hours to vote for Kerry. He doesn't even believe the red staters give a shit about New Yorkers. They are just pawns to be used to stir up the fear factor. Mobile AL will vote for BushCo regardless that there is little chance of being hit by terrorists.

Perhaps this country would be better served if it listened to the citizens of the cities that really are in danger. YOu know, the ones in the Blue States.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

42. having "military" wars pulls the red-staters in

Sending red state recruits to battle and die makes them part of the "war on terror".
They shouldn't be part of it but thanks to Bush, Cheney, and Rove they are.

[susanna]

56. Ms Pip...

I hear you on that. My husband and I (Detroit) have been saying the same thing all along. We're on the border with Canada; if terrorists get in, they could easily get in here...and surprisingly (or not), terrorists have a consistent habit of attacking populated places for premium impact. Those who haven't figured that out yet kinda - no, really - scare me.

IMHO, when the terrorists strike a cornfield in (insert state here), I'll be inclined to support increased Homeland Security money for them. Until then, put the $$$ with the cities that are truly targets. And, as you said, they should probably think about our opinions, since cities in the crossfire STILL seem to go tremendously Democratic. Funny, that.

[stepnw1f]

63. Paranoid People Who are Isolated

from diversity creates this type of paranoia. I've noticed it too. Most cities vote Dem. Gee... I wonder why?

[susanna]

66. My theory...

...that my incredibly patient husband hears all the time...

You HAVE to learn to accept all sorts of people in cities. You just have to. There are just too many people, of every stripe, to try and form true bigotry. You have to learn to live with other people instead of just running away. At least that's my theory. ;-)

[stepnw1f]

67. Your Theory is a Fact

I grew up in the city and presently reside in the city to this day. It is a rough and humbling existence. If you are conceited and arrogant, the city will beat it out of you, one way or the other.... some however never learn or live well off, so they are immune to this all. But most can't afford to be immune, so they learn the hard way.

We get along with each other first, because we have to..... and besides, it's better than killing each other. Also... being PC is not so bad, especially when you live in the city. It keeps people from jumping down each other's throats. Too bad the right wing wants to undo all of it. They have no clue what they are in for if they were ever to succeed.

[Spiffarino]

7. Great, but don't let this fool you.

Rove and the GOP will have several plans. They will pull out all the stops. First they'll try to scare us with pictures of evil brown people. When that doesn't work, they will start another war. If that still doesn't help, they'll steal the elections. If they get caught, they'll suspend the Constitution.

November 8th is the Day of Reckoning. If the elections are fair, we can rest. If not, it's only the beginning.

[drfresh]

18. yup, there's hard work ahead for a Democratic majority

It's still as important as ever to be talking to your friends about the election, helping out local candidates, and donating where you can. GOTV will be crucial this year. Let not rest on our laurels!

[disndat]

40. Agree 100%

Don't forget, '00 and '04 were won by Gore and Kerry, respectively. If we don't win this November, '06, it will be an unimaginable catastrophe for this country for generations ahead. I heard that the Diebold machines will still be in place at least through Nov. '08. If we don't get control of at least the House, Bush & Co. will go all out. Forget about impeachment, Fitzgerald prosecutions, all the dirt about the 8 years of Bush administration coming out, fantasies that are dancing in the heads of voters in blue states. We should anticipate the Bush crime family pulling out all the stops to keep both the House and Senate next November. They have a good chance with the Diebold machines still in place.

[susanna]

57. What scares me...

...is up until last year, I voted on one of those antiquated curtained booth things with the levers (paper trail in the back of the machine).

Last year, they introduced "fill in the blank" scantron type voting. Fine, says me, still a paper trail...you feed it into a receptacle where they are available for recount. Even better, the reader rejects it if you make a mistake (did they vote for Candidate A/B; did they try to split ticket in a one-ticket primary, etc.). That kind of comforted me. Well...

This past primary a couple of weeks ago, the voting officials at my precinct told me, "We're getting computer based touchscreen voting by the next Presidential election! Isn't that great?!" My heart sank and I told them, "No. I'm a computer programmer. Those things are subject to all sorts of manipulation, and I would much rather have the paper trail." Then they got all huffy and dismissed me.

I worry. I worry a lot.

[young_at_heart]

8. We got a letter urging us to vote Repub for the sake of grandchildren

A co-worker of my husband's was so concerned about our country's future back in 2000 that he sent out letters to many people urging them to vote Republican so his grandchildren could have security and a good future. I wonder if he still feels this way?

[calimary]

9. Why certainly! We're gonna need all those grandchildren to pay off

the debt bush will have left behind. We won't be able to do it by ourselves - it's just too damned much. And maybe THEIR grandchildren will have to pitch in, too.

[Patchuli]

16. What a nimrod!

I hope he got some snarky responses telling him to STFU!

[young_at_heart]

35. We responded.....VERY snarkily and he was extremely offended

He made it clear that he thought we were more or less crazy and we haven't heard from them since.

[Patchuli]

51. He had a nerve

but apparently lacked in the gray matter! If he thinks it's helping his grandkids to have these thieves and psychopaths in charge, he is either 'crazy' or just dumber than a box of rocks. At least you got off his list!

[elehhhhna]

31. It makes sense...if his grandchildren are Chinese.

[Norrin Radd]

10. Security Moms and Dads are all craven cowards. n/t

[orleans]

14. i agree. n/t

[JohMunich99]

12. Finally!

They finally see the light. Good heavens, why did they ever go into the darkness to begin with?

[Voltaire99]

13. Security Moms = Useless Fools

Yes, it's a Big Tent, and the more the merrier, etc. etc.

But really, who can respect these propaganda-fed cretins? Their gullibility fuels the national terra hysteria.

If having them means the party will court them with terra alarms and more perma-war talk, then fuck 'em and their war-sustaining SUVs.

[AliceWonderland]

29. My thought as well.

They are part of the problem. They believe anything the telebishun says and the consequences are dire with the policies that enables.

[IndependentVoice]

45. Amen, Glad to have the votes but they drive me insane

[Zorra]

15. Too dumb to understand that Bu*h/republicans were in power on 9/11

I really have a hard time with this.

Republicans were in power at the time of the attacks on the WTC on 9/11, and more Americans have been killed by foreign invaders on the US mainland during the Bu*h pResidency than at any other time in American history. Yet these airheads believe that republicans will keep them safer them Democrats will? Aaaargh.
:banghead:

[Norrin Radd]

20. Exactly. Especially unfathomable, considering they never offered

any solutions; instead, they constantly drummed up more fear:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/central/03/13/eye.on.four/index.html

U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said the nation should remain alert.

"It's clear to me that terrorists seize opportunities and they'll strike us any time they feel like they have the capacity of striking us," Ashcroft said.

and

John Pistole, an FBI counterterrorism official, said another attack is almost inevitable.

"I believe that we in the U.S. will be hit with another terrorist attack, whether it's a 'spectacular attack' like 9/11, I hope and pray not, but I think that it is something that we will experience whether it's a suicide bomber strapped in explosives going on the subway or somebody taking a carload of explosives," Pistole said.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

21. Well furthermore they also don't realize that Democrats have a much better

national security record than *

Under the Clinton Administration
• The perpetrators of the first WTC bombings were apprehended
• Operation Bojinka, the plot to attack LA international airport and the Al-Qaeda plot to blow up hotels in the Middle East at the turn of the century were foiled
• The Clinton Administration proposed a whole range of counterterrorism measures that included greater airline security and the freezing of terrorist funds –all blocked by the Republican Congress
• Clinton met on a frequent basis with national security experts and counter-terrorism advisers while *, if my memory serves me accurately, never met them before 9/11
• Clinton made several attempts to eliminate Bin Laden, all of which were derided by Republican congressional leaders, and was still actively seeking to do so when he left office
• Clinton commissioned the Hart-Rudman report which made several recommendations on counter-terrorism strategies that he left for the * Administration to review and implement and Bush-Cheney totally ignored the report

Compared to the Bush Administration where:
• Condoleeza Rice and the National Security Team completely ignored the terrorism threat during their first nine months in office and instead focused on trying to start a new Cold War with China and Russia
• The * Administration downgraded the emphasis on investigating Saudi Arabia for risk of offending the Saudis
• The * Administration ignored several blatant warnings of an imminent threat pre-9/11
• * sat looking like a stunned mullet reading to children while the terrorist attacks were underway
• * and his team have started a war that has greatly increased the whole terrorism threat and which has greatly benefited Al-Qaeda’s recruitment drive
• * and his Administration pressured the British to go in before they were ready in the latest counter-terrorism scare with the airports

And I could go on and on. In all fairness perhaps Democratic leaders and strategists haven't emphasized the facts well enough but it still amazes me how unquestioningly trusting some people are of *'s alleged national security record

[wellst0nev0ter]

33. But-But What About The Terra Alerts?

You know, those indicators that tell terra-ists when's the GOOD time to attack the US?

[PinkyisBlue]

59. I work with a couple of Bush-loving security moms.

We were at lunch today discussing the JonBenet Ramsey case. Then I asked the security mom if she had heard that a federal court ruled that Bush's wiretapping program is illegal. She said no, she hadn't heard about it. I asked her, "Isn't it strange that we hear news 24/7 about the JonBenet Ramsey case, but the tv news doesn't report that our President has been illegally wiretapping our telephones"? She replied that she doesn't believe the wiretapping is wrong, she doesn't care if her own phone is wiretapped, and she'd rather hear about JonBenet. And the terrorist plot recently stopped in London just proves that the wiretapping is working.

We continued our conversation where she admitted that she prefers Fox News because listening to the other programs makes her too angry (she said CNN used to be called the Clinton News Network). And, believe it or not, she blamed 9/11 on Clinton; the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993, and he did nothing about it the whole time he was in office; it wasn't Bush's fault that it happened, it was because Clinton was getting blow-jobs instead of doing his job (yes, she said this).

She also said that the media doesn't report the good that is happening in Iraq. And, like the woman in the last paragraph of this Washington Post article, she insinuated that Iraq attacked us on 9/11. When I told her that some 50% of the US population believes that our own government had something to do with 9/11, she just laughed.

People like this are just a lost cause. They have their own version of the truth and are not open to hearing different views. I really think that the media, like Fox news, Rush Limbaugh, etc. has corrupted these people's minds. But I also think they don't have the ability to think critically.

Critical thinking needs to be introduced to children in school at a young age. I remember in junior high school, we did some research on advertisements and how they manipulate the consumer into thinking they need to purchase the product. It provided us with the tools to analyze advertisements which, later, we could use to evaluate news stories. I have a hunch that Bush's "No Child Left Behind" program in schools is crowding out any discussions that teach children to think critically, to think "out of the box." The last thing the Bushies want is a population of critical thinkers who don't believe everything they're told.

Anyway, your post has lots of good information, but it's lost on a lot of our citizens.

[OregonDem]

17. Security Moms/Dads = Bush scared us into giving up our rights

and voting for him cause he said the terrorists would win otherwise.
I guess its good that some of them are finally waking up and seeing how they were used. Its frustrating it took so long though.

[IndyJones]

19. Unsecured borders and stripping away civil rights tend to make you want

to not vote Republican. I don't see how we can be "safer" with unsecure borders and ports.

[elehhhhna]

32. Are you aware that Dubai Pots Wold DOES now own the contracts for

23 (yes, 23...not just 6 as widely reported) US Port facilities? They will control them for at least another year.

[agincourt]

23. The GOP sucks on terrorism,

Any child should be able to see that. The GOP sucks at military affairs, anyone with half a brain could see that. When will these people quit beleiving the professional liars on TV?

[Olney Blue]

24. If Moma ain't happy, nobody's happy. The GOP is toast.

[CanonRay]

25. I predict a Mall Terrorist Threat. Coming soon on Faux News

[txb]

48. Bomb a Wall Mart?

dontcha think the cabal has a mentally malleable "muslim-type" somewhere who they could drug up & send to Wall Mart for a suicide bombing? maybe just a day or two before some national election....

and that'd have not only the soccer-moms but 85% of the nation right back in the safe palms of the reich-wing. not to mention patriot act 3 and son of patriot act......suspension of the constitution, etc...etc...etc...

sure, the moms are leaning democratic right now--

but until folks begin to understand THE BIG LIE (re: war on terra), they are really just a good scare away from returning to the flock of the reich-wing.

bummer, eh?

[rodeodance]

27. Cheney will say BOO at the right moment and over they tilt to Repug side.

[leesa]

28. Well, wonder what these nitwits will go for next?

Maybe a few less trips to the soccer field and malls and a few more hours with some books or news instead might help, dears.

[meganmonkey]

30. As long as you stereotype and judge them and call them nitwits

they sure as hell won't come running to the Democrats.

Remember - we are ALL getting screwed by a common enemy.

[wellst0nev0ter]

34. Fuck Em. They Were Useful Idiots Back Then

And they are useless idiots now. People like them are fickle at best.

[meganmonkey]

37. "People like them"

Warning: Rant. Not directed at you personally, just a reaction to a lot of things I have been reading here lately including much of this thread.

All you know about THEM is what you hear on the news, THEY are a cartoonish construction of the political-media nightmare that is ruining our country. Why do you all fall for this shit? Why don't you all turn off your computers and go out and get out of your comfort zones and actually meet real people and talk to them? Does life = politics? Does politics = dividing the US into 2 categories, US AND THEM? The same thing we criticize our gov't and media for doing around the world? The same dichotomy that is cannot possibly exist in reality in a country with a population as large and diverse as the US?

Wouldn't solutions be easier to find if we actually try to connect with ALL PEOPLE instead of believing stupid demographics based on flawed poll questions written and asked by biased sources?


IMO, the useless idiots are those who think they are actually going to succeed in changing this country for the better by blaming other VICTIMS of our fucked up gov't rather than trying to find common ground and actually SOLVE THE FUCKING PROBLEMS.

In peace (sincerely, despite my obvious ranting and frustration, I ultimately say these words with peace),

Megan

[Strawman]

43. Ok. I'll give "Security Moms" a chance, but not "NASCAR Dads"

I'm kidding. These are all stupid labels.

I think that alot of people don't feel credible self-identifying as liberals because we write them off and don't talk to them. People decide where they think they fit in and they identify with that and adopt behaviors that they believe to be associated with that group. Republicans have done a good job at convincing alot of middle class and working class Americans that liberals aren't like them and have contempt for them. Why should we help them with that?

[wellst0nev0ter]

46. Sure, We Can Convince Them That Good Schools

Clean enviroments, low gas prices, available jobs, etc., etc., are good for their children and are liberal values, but if they continue to vote against their own interests because of scary brown people, then they are useless idiots. They are not "victims" they chose this for themselves, whoever the hell those "security moms" are.

[meganmonkey]

47. Okay

You keep on using WE and THEM. My whole point is that this is a MADE-UP DEMOGRAPHIC just like all the others. There is no WE AND THEM. You are basing what you are saying on a bunch of bullshit. The loudmouths on either 'side' don't actually represent the people they claim to. There is no such thing as a 'Security mom' (as you say, "whoever the hell" they are), at least not as a huge homogenous part of the population. So "They" blame "Scary Brown People" and you blame "Useless Idiot Security Moms" and the whole cycle of falsely blaming nonexistent groups continues ad infinitum.

You (rightly) question the reality of the 'scary brown people', why can't you question the existence of this made-up demographic of 'security moms'? They are being defined by the same people, the same liars on the same cable news shows and polling agencies.

Or is it more fun to play this bullshit game of US vs. THEM but pretend WE aren't playing it, only THEY are... :crazy: Makes my head hurt.

[maxrandb]

38. There is SERIOUS Brain-washing of the American People that will

take years to overcome.

Despite the fact that 9/11 occurred on their watch while the pretzledent was reading "My Pet Goat!

Despite the fact that Osama Bin Laden is still roaming free!

Despite the fact that Iraq is turning out trained assassins committed to killing as many Americans as they can by the thousands!

Despite the fact that our ports and airports are not secure.

Despite the fact that our ports and airports don't have the necessary equipment to detect and stop terror attacks.

Despite the fact that our military is stretched so thin that our only response should something happen in China or Russia is assured mutual nuclear destruction.

Despite the fact that National Guard troops that are supposed to protect cities and states here in the US are 9,000 miles away.

Despite the fact that ALL OF THE ABOVE HAS OCCURRED WHILE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD A MONOPOLY ON POWER!!!...

Despite all that, these people still say shit like this.

"Married mothers said in interviews here that they remain concerned about national security and the ability of Democrats to keep them safe from terrorist strikes.

Jesus fucking Christ! If Superman were a Democrat, they would be concerned whether he could protect them. That's some good kool-aid Rush, Insanity and the wack jobs have been passing out for the past 20 years.

This country is sooooooooooooooooo fucked!

[AlCzervik]

39. christ i had that name "Security Mom" WTF is that? I'm a Mom

and i find that demographic name fucking ridiculous! If i'm not thinking about terrorism 24/7 what does that make me--an Unsecurity Mom?

[HockeyMom]

50. I live about 30 miles from Ground Zero

I don't know any scared shitless security moms who voted Republican for that sole reason. In case people haven't noticed, the NY metro area went for KERRY.

[Dulcinea]

61. ALL moms are Security Moms!

What a dumbass term.

Good schools, health care, & better lives for families are much higher on the average mom's list than terrorist attacks. If social issues don't represent security, what does?

[earth mom]

41. I'm a mom & would never vote reTHUG but they had me believing in the fear

after 9/11. Once I woke up I was hopping mad at how I fell for their crap! And still am! :grr:

The * & Co modus operandi is to keep the fear ramped up because it is what keeps them in power! Terra Terra Terra 24/7 is the name of the game! Once people realize that the folks in the middle east are JUST LIKE US and only want to live their lives and raise their kids, they will "get it"! I also know they would "get it" sooner if the evil corporate media reported all the shit that * & his thugs pull on a daily basis to trash the constitution and everyones rights! And how about if the media reported the TRUTH about 9/11?! That would wake America the hell up for sure!!! And * & his THUGS would be looking at jail time!!! :grr:

[IndependentVoice]

44. Good news, but I still hate this group with a passion

This is the group that complains about sex in video games and other irrelevant crap. Same Hypocrites who complained about GTA San Andreas and wanted a recall to change it from 17+ to 18+.

[goforit]

49. Oh well. Scare tatics are " crying wolf " once too often.

[NC_Nurse]

52. Moms obsessing about National Security are

ridiculous! I'm a mom and I worry about HEALTHCARE, DECENT JOBS, and CIVIL LIBERTIES for my kids. Not to mention, HIV, drugs, the looming deficit and endless wars these pigs have gotten us into.
Get a brain, morans! :silly:

[K8-EEE]

53. "New Face Of GOP So Ugly Even A Mother Can't Love It"

Great letter read by Cafferty this afternoon!

[johnnyrocket]

54. Security Moms?? I call them 'Slow Learners'

heh!

[mkb]

55. Middle Class Mothers Are Critical For Societal Progress

     This bit of news is encouraging and long overdue.  I
don't think political criticism should cease regarding any and
all candidates, but I don't think there should be too much
confusion about seeing the Democrats as the better choice.
     There are many people who have difficulties in life that
rarely receive attention from politicians and others.  But
there are many now who are seeing the deterioration that is
setting in, and they should be educated to the positive
possibilities that could exist with the right education and
participation.
     If the truth was told, the economic situation could
improve vastly in a number of ways.  The war is an ongoing
catastrophe, and energy research, particularly solar power, is
not being addressed.  These and other issues could be improved
a great amount, and those who are sinking into a worsening
condition must be educated and participate in thinking
positively and creatively about resolving these issues before
us.

[Jed Dilligan]

60. good news but

I am sick of being ruled from suburbia. When will the actual creators of wealth, as well as the manipulators of wealth, get some say in what is done with the wealth?

Oh damn, talking like a Commie again....

[IWantAChange]

64. does America know.......

That the US military and intelligence expenditures are more than all other countries on the planet combined? Repugs don't keep us safe - the military and to a lesser extent the Intelligence community does - Rove and his minions have managed to perpetuate one of the largest hoaxes in history by convincing a fair portion of the American public that they can only be safe if the GOP has the phone number to the Pentagon.

[yardwork]

65. I'm sorry, but the people quoted in this article are DUMB

Dumb, dumb, dumb. DUMB!!!!

I had to get that off my chest. It's great that they're waking up and everything, but really, where the fuck have they been?

[opihimoimoi]

68. Not all peeps are lucky to be born with functiong brains.