Bush courts Catholics in swing states

[Cocoa]

I have anecdotal evidence that Bush has irredemably lost the Reagan Democrats. I just saw a classic Reagan Democrat over the weekend, a family acquaintance who is a cop in Cicero, IL. I tried baiting him into an argument about Bush, but it turned out he had turned against Bush himself, especially about the war. I'm thinking Bush is headed for humiliation in Nov.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0405100187may10,1,3887268.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

Many Democrats also conservatives
By John McCormick
Tribune staff reporter

May 10, 2004

DUBUQUE, Iowa -- There are no fewer than 11 Roman Catholic churches in this picturesque Mississippi River town of about 60,000 people, a place some locals call "little Rome" in reference to its religious leanings and hilltop construction.

So on the face of it, this heavily blue-collar city may have seemed a curious place for President Bush to target late last week in his first official campaign tour in the Midwest battleground states of Iowa and Wisconsin--states he narrowly lost in 2000.

The city's strong Catholic and Democratic traditions--which include a Kennedy Mall, John F. Kennedy Drive and Kennedy Elementary School -- would seem to favor Sen. John Kerry, another senator from Massachusetts who is Catholic and wants to be president.

But Dubuque County--one of the most Catholic in the nation--also is filled with social conservatives who might be persuaded to vote for a Republican who appeals to their values and sense of patriotism. It's the sort of place where Bush needs to convince at least some voters that he deserves a second term.

"It's not that Dubuque isn't within the reach of a Republican candidate, but you have to have that message that will appeal to those people who will cross over and vote for a Republican," said Mayor Terry Duggan. "There are a lot of Reagan Democrats."

more...

[DaveSZ]

1. Get either the General or Edwards down there

speaking to those people.

That's the ticket.

/Jon Lovitz voice

:D

[Sir Craig]

2. Is it just me..?

Does this line annoy the shit out of anyone else? Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive this morning:

It's the sort of place where Bush needs to convince at least some voters that he deserves a second term.

Frankly, he didn't deserve a first term; he was installed after the Repugs realized he didn't win the popular vote.

(I know, this has nothing to do with the article; I'm just feeling bitchy today.)

For more anecdotal evidence, I can happily report that at the base where I am stationed, Shrub's popularity is at an all-time low; there is maybe only a couple people I know that say they will still vote for him, whereas everyone else is sick of what he's doing. Pretty rare position to have in the military...