Do The Repubs Really Think They Can Revitalize Support For The War?

[cali]

The debate in the House indicates that they believe they can gin up support prior to the November elections. The plan, just like the last time, is to paint dems into a corner, making them out to be defeatist and weak. Americans, of course, don't like to think of themselves as weak.

I don't think this rinse and repeat political tactic will be effective. There might be a slight uptick in support for bush, repubs and the Iraqi war, but it won't last unless there's a radical shift in the trajectory of events in Iraq. That's unlikely.

Last night Zbigniew Brezinski was on The News Hour debating Walter Russell Meade about the war. He talked about bushco's visit as he held up a map of Baghdad, pointing out that there was rich irony in the President stating that he was inspired by his visit to the free and democratic capitol of Iraq. As Brezinski pointed out bush visited an american fortress, and the Iraqi government is so weak that it can't exist outside of this fortrress. He also pointed out that the Iraqi government was effectively installed by the US and that it governs precisely nothing. These are just facts, and nothing the repubs do can change the realities on the ground in Iraq.

[Virginia Dare]

1. They have to at least try...

because they've not nothing else to stand on. They've basically put all of their eggs into a single basket. If they can't keep the American public focused on terrorism and the war, then all eyes will turn to the economy, and then they're screwed.

[still_one]

2. none of what has happened in the last week is a coincidence

and unless the Democrats come out strong and say that the IRAQ WAR is based on a LIE, and Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11, and start calling them on it, we will have problems in 2006

I believe we can count on the complicity of the MSM and the stupidity of the American public to seal the fate of more American soldiers, and tens of thousands of Iraqiis for years to come

[blm]

3. They control most of the country's media - a media able to sell pet rocks

can also keep Bush and his war propped up a bit before the election.

[cali]

7. If the intent of the MSM

has been to prop up bushco and his war, they've done an awful job. The majority of Americans don't support the war now or the decision to go to war.

[blm]

12. They don't need a majority - they need "just enough" to come out in Nov.

to make it look like they squeaked by.....and that is their goal.

[robbedvoter]

4. With the right packaging, everything sells - so they're told

I am sure Madison ave experts, even beyond the Rice-a roni prestige are repackaging this even as we speak.

[Ganja Ninja]

5. I really think the Democrats should just bow out of this debate.

Let the news out of Iraq do your debating for you.

[cali]

8. I think they should take the repukes on in debate

and then vote present on the resolution, rather than legitimizing a resolution that attempts to paint dems as lacking in resolve.

[enough]

6. PDF of Republican Talking Points for the floor debate

http://images1.americanprogress.org/il80web20037/ThinkProgress/2006/boehnermemo.pdf


A memo from Boehner with talking points, including "RESOLVE WILL TRIUMPH OVER RETREAT"


(Linked from Buzzflash)

[mmonk]

9. Don't underestimate the blind ignorance

of a propagandized populace. If they use the "terrorist" word enough and have no effective opposition or watchdog media, it's not that hard to convince a population raised on the American exceptionalism myth.

[spanone]

10. The way the press complies, they may succeed.

The fawning of the press over the bullshit Iraq visit and the bullshit congress 'debating' the Iraq war, you never know.

[deutsey]

11. They see everything in terms of marketing products

I think they really believe (and with justification) that if you put the right make-up on the ugliest pig you can find, and develop the right media strategy around it, you can sell it to the American public as Miss America...and they'll buy it.