GOP: It's all in the effort

[DoYouEverWonder]

June 11, 2006

WASHINGTON — Last week looked like an abject failure for Republicans in Congress. They lost two key votes banning same-sex marriage and a repeal of the estate tax.But they didn’t expect to win.

And they don’t expect to win later this month when they push another of their favorite issues, a ban on flag burning. Their strategy is long-term: they hope the party will get credit at the polls in November for promoting bills important to their base.

“For Republicans, with many national forces working against them, they’ve got to do everything they possibly can to minimize their losses,’’ said Richard Born, a congressional expert at Vassar College. “Republicans are seizing on something that might work. My sense is voters will appreciate the effort.’’

Republicans worry that disillusioned voters will not turn out for this fall’s elections. Turnout is typically low in midterm elections, but it’s expected to be worse this year because of President Bush’s sagging approval ratings, growing dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq and the number of congressional scandals.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/11/Worldandnation/GOP__It_s_all_in_the_.shtml

In other words, let's waste everyones' time and money on frivolous bills that we know don't have a chance in hell in passing. There really should be a law against this sort of thing.

[Tesha]

1. Essentially, every election is a referendum on this sort of thing.

> In other words, let's waste everyones' time and money
> on frivolous bills that we know don't have a chance in
> hell in passing. There really should be a law against
> this sort of thing.

Essentially, every election is a referendum on this sort of
thing. So far, voters seem to like it just fine.

Tesha

[claypool4prez]

2. it all about perception

The idiots who voted for him don't read anything besides the local paper, if they are the responsible one in the family. They won't venture far enough to get details. As long as their legislators are fighting the "good fight" they will be content. It's funny because they wouldn't know about the issue if their minister didn't go off on it.

[Vitruvius]

3. If the GOP got gay marriage or flag burning banned, they'd LOSE THE ISSUE

and not be able to use it in future elections.

By "losing" they can use these wedge issues again and again and again. And the knuckle-dragging Bu$h voters will buy it -- again and again and again.

There's a sucker born every minute. And they vote Rethugnican.

[Skittles]

4. except this time the base is on to their desperation tactics

I think the base is sick of being used by these twisted f***S - not that the base is not twisted f***s themselves