The (Republicans') "He's An Idiot" Trial Balloon... (here's the proof)

[ProSense]

Kathleen Reardon
08.21.2006

The "He's An Idiot" Trial Balloon and What Will Happen If It Floats

This is trial balloon season for the Republican strategists. They launched a crafty one recently with several big benefits if it stays in the air.

This new balloon involves a cadre of avid Bush backers suddenly saying "He's an idiot."

One of the beauties of this strategy is that it looks as though these overnight Bush detractors have had a change of heart.

Snip...

Think about it. If selected, visible, staunch Bush supporters begin talking about how intellectually wanting the President is, with his full knowledge and collaboration (such as chewing with his mouth open, striding motorcycles, goofing around with unappreciative world leaders), there won't be an anti-Bush platform for the Democrats. In fact, if these balloonists play their cards right, it will seem as if there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between Republicans and Democrats. Everyone will be anti-Bush. The playing field will be leveled.

Snip...

Should the Democrats win enough seats in November to threaten impeachment, the "He's an idiot" strategy will work wonders. Republican leaders will ask: "Does this country really want to impeach a guy who just didn't know what he was doing?" If the Democrats push for penalties, the Republicans will argue, "We're not the party that wants to vilify a president who, like so many of us and even some of his esteemed predecessors, just isn't terribly bright." And, "We agree he isn't intellectually gifted, now let's move on. What else do you have?"

The Democratic anti-Bush advantage will fizzle and die before our eyes if this excuse balloon floats. Disillusioned Republicans will drift back because there will be a number of their own agreeing with them about Bush's limitations. That's how clever these guys are.

Apparently Blair got the "We're-going-to-say-he's-an-idiot" e-mail. The Daily Mail reported:

Snip...

As we all know, they're very clever indeed in the Republican win-by-any-means camp. Even the Washington Post reported this "He's an idiot" strategy as some kind of "turning on Bush" among high profile previous supporters. They must be laughing their socks off. And, since Barnes and others are not joining the choir yet on this one, they can pull this balloon back in if we notice it in the air. Let it float and we may pay with 8 more years starting in 2008.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-reardon/the-hes-an-idiot-trial_b_27697.html

Bush isn't simply an idiot, he is a lying, cheating, lawbreaking idiot who started an illegal war. That's the consideration for impeachment.


Which is crazier: the strategy or its proponents?

I voted for George Bush twice and would do it again if Al Gore and John Kerry were once again the alternatives. I spent a few hours alone with President Bush on Air Force One. He was likable and sharp. I have met more than a few world leaders and I can tell you our President seemed as mentally equipped as most leaders I have met.

But the George Bush of 2006 seems to be a far cry from the man I spoke with in 2001, or the back-slapping governor who charmed the hell out of me when I visited him in the Texas governor’s mansion in 1999.

Posted here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2791256

[kurth]

1. Retardation defense

They all should wear the idiot sign.

[Vincardog]

2. He is not an idiot he is a psychopath and must be removed from office,

[IChing]

3. Anyone that followed an idiot is stupider than the idiot

very poor defense.

[MrModerate]

4. We can always respond . . . "They didn't call him an idiot . . .

When they supported him on The Patriot Act, or the War on Terra, Social Security reform, etc., etc. Isn't it obvious they're just trying to run away from their responsibilities -- just like Republicans always do?" Most of Georgie's SOTU speeches have been followed by intemperate expostulations on his greatness and rightness and good-guyness which could be used to good effect in countering this way out.

Also, now that the seed has been planted, it's quite likely to sprout, which means that regardless of what happens in November, Georgie will be substantially weakened. Even if the 'Licans as a whole are more assertive, cutting Bush off at the knees is a pretty good outcome in its own right.

They could be out-clevering themselves, which would be deliciously ironic.

[Jim__]

12. Exactly - if they know he's an idiot - where was the congressional

oversight? If he's an idiot, then only bigger idiots give him his way in everything he wants.

[samfishX]

5. Oh, he's an idiot alright.

Just not in the "I'm a fucking retard" sense.

He's more of an "I'm an ass-munch, big stupid jerk who flaunts it because I'm rich and can. HaHa!" kind of idiot.

[ladywnch]

6. last time I heard.........

ingnorance of the law and stupidity were not valid defenses.

Republican leaders will ask: "Does this country really want to impeach a guy who just didn't know what he was doing?" If the Democrats push for penalties, the Republicans will argue, "We're not the party that wants to vilify a president who, like so many of us and even some of his esteemed predecessors, just isn't terribly bright." And, "We agree he isn't intellectually gifted, now let's move on. What else do you have?"

What else we have is a criminal..........what other defense do YOU have?

[thecrow]

7. Please see my post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1954051

"I think Smirky's insanity defense is being honed on purpose...."

[acmejack]

8. What happened to the sunny nobility?

A big screw them, idiot or no, he's THEIR idiot. Irrevocably bound, they are.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Skip the snotty "idiot" part - he's simply a lying, cheating, lawbreaker.

The idiot meme is part of how they get away with so much.

NGU.

[damntexdem]

10. Yes, even if it were true, we would need to ...

"impeach a guy who just didn't know what he was doing." When someone commits high crimes and misdemeanors, he needs to be yanked out of office -- and if he doesn't know what he's doing, that just makes it so much worse.

[ProSense]

11. Scarborough on message! (OP edited) n/t

[mcscajun]

13. Abandon ship! All rats, abandon ship!

The klaxons are sounding, and all the "Bush Republicans" are looking for lifeboats.

Among the masses, this will work, unfortunately.

"It's not US, it's just BUSH!"

[Stinky The Clown]

14. If this crap is ALL they have left ...... we win big.

This SO easy to counter. Just tie every shitbird Republican, with their words and their votes, to every shithead thing the newly-found-to-be-stupid George Bush has done.

"You're either with us you're with the the shitheads"

[loyalsister]

15. This was totally predictable

I have been saying for a very long time that Bush exagerates his mispronunciations, etc. because he benefits from low expectations. "He can't be the one responsible if he's that dumb."
And, our side persistently underestimates his intelligence and cunning at our own peril.

"Does this country really want to impeach a guy who just didn't know what he was doing?"

vs.

"Is is reasonable to impeach someone over something that should really be between that person and their wife?"

I am not suggesting an actual comparison of articles of impeachment, only that the above statements could have similar consequences when it comes to public opinion regarding impeachment.