Iraq -- not terror -- top '06 issue

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Voter anger at Bush is problem for GOP.

By Ron Hutcheson -- McClatchy Washington Bureau
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 20, 2006
Story appeared on Page A1 of The Bee


WASHINGTON -- Republicans and Democrats are beating each other up on the issue of terrorism in the wake of the alleged London airplane plot, but polls show that most Americans are far more worried about the war in Iraq.

That's bad news for President Bush and his Republican allies because, with congressional elections less than 100 days away, most voters don't think the war was worth it and don't like Bush's handling of it. Pollsters say that any boost the president gets from the alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic aircraft isn't likely to alter negative opinions about the war.

"Iraq is far and away the No. 1 issue. Nothing comes even close," pollster John Zogby said. "It's the elephant in the living room."

Democrats say the developments highlight the nation's vulnerability under Bush's leadership. Republicans say the news from London shows that the president's policies are working.

Voters don't seem particularly impressed with either argument.


full report: http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/14302780p-15175037c.html


If Iraq is key to Bush's 'terror war' . . . we're losing (8-20-2006)

[jimshoes]

1. I could ignore an elephant in the living room

It's more like two elephants in the living room fucking. Now that is pretty hard to ignore. BTW if any politicians are reading this, ... if you are in any way for continuing this miserable exercise in futility, namely the Iraq occupation and oil grab, you might as well kiss your political career goodbye. You no longer matter to me and 60% of Americans. That's the new reality.

[ktowntennesseedem]

2. Terror is just about the only option in the Repugs playbook.

That's why they keep pounding away on it, and why they keep trying to link Iraq to the larger effort to keep America safe.

IMHO, the good news is that fewer and fewer Americans are buying that load of crap. More each day realize that Iraq doesn't have a damn thing to do with terror and our 9/11 response, and they are slowly connecting the dots to see what a bunch of thieves and charlatans are running the show.

The bad news (maybe) is that another terrorist strike on the US, or the "capture" of Bin Laden, or some other such Rovian October surprise is about all it would take for some to forget about Iraq in the voting booth in November.

[jerry611]

3. No, they have at least one other play...

Illegal immigration...

And the Democrats are scared shitless to even touch that issue.

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4. I think if there was another strike, we would react much like London

They haven't let up on Blair just because their subway was bombed. Neither should we.