His Policies Aside, Many Voters Back the Personality in Chief

[ResistTheCoup]

>>Heavy gag alert<<

I read this article incredulously. How can there possibly be this many idiots in America?? My favorite idiot line of the whole article:

"He's less phony than most of the candidates. He's more credible. And I can understand him. He speaks at my level," said Gene Goldman, 50, a financial advisor.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bushies16nov16,1,7175956.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

His Policies Aside, Many Voters Back the Personality in Chief
For Bush supporters in a Missouri town, it's not the issues that will count in 2004, it's character.

By Stephanie Simon
Times Staff Writer

November 16, 2003

CLAYTON, Mo. — The nine Democrats vying for the presidential nomination make the case at every campaign stop that the nation needs fresh leadership. But millions of voters aren't about to consider that.

With a year to go until the election, a solid core of Americans emphatically back George W. Bush for a second term — no matter who else is on the ballot. They approve of his conservative values. Mostly, though, they admire his character.

Simply put: They trust him.

"Even if I don't line up with him exactly on all his policies, I want a president who stands up for what he believes in," said Robert Koerper, 44, a restaurant owner. "You always know where he's coming from. That's the kind of leader I want."

>snip<

A few voters linked their support to Bush's signature issues.

"He's pro-life and that's the No. 1 thing," said William Erker, 76, a real estate broker.

"I wanted reform in taxation," said Spiros Protopsaltis, 45, a financial consultant.

"He's done a lot for the country by taking an active role against terrorism," said accountant Steve Weigand, 35.

Most of the Bush backers, however, cited not his policies but his personality as the key to their votes. As restaurant owner Kari Lynch, 42, said with a shrug: "I just like him."

In fact, when measuring Bush's performance issue by issue, many voters found much to gripe about.

They complained that he gives too many tax breaks to the rich. That he alienates allies abroad. That he is paying far too dear a price, in blood and billions, in the occupation of Iraq.

Still, all but a few said they want him back in the Oval Office for four more years.

>snip<

:puke:

[soothsayer]

1. barf----his personality is worse than his policies

if that's possible. I guess alot of people like abject evil in the thin disguise of a moron. Go figure.

[xchrom]

2. he displays the character

of many americans.
it bothers me -- but talking about our culture and what kind of people it produces is important.
it's part of the battle to turn the country into a more civilized forward, progressive thinking place.
and yes, virginia, there are a lot of them.

[dusty64]

3. EWW!

Dude if he "speaks at your level" you've got to be a moron. What a vomit inducing puff piece, yuck. Sadly, this is what passes for "journalism" these days. Wonder how many rocks they had to turn over to interview this bunch?

[MaineDem]

4. One of my female friends just LOVES him

It just blows my mind.



:grr:

[leetrisck]

5. What personality? What would be the topic of

conversation if one talked with bush - he is very ill informed, seems to have very little interest in anything - just wondering.

[shanti]

16. exactly!

just like many americans!

[screembloodymurder]

23. Clearing brush

and his last game of golf

[jab105]

45. baseball and pretzels...

just what your average joe cares more about than anything else...

[pippin]

70. Look, we all tend to like people who are like ourselves.

So face it there are lots of people who are like Bush who see their mirror images and say "ah! great guy!" Disgusting, but unfortunately there are a lot of very stupid people around. So I'll probably be accused as an elitist right? :shrug:

[neomonkey]

6. Character??

I love this logic:

Then Catcher pauses, reflecting. He's opening a new restaurant in Clayton, called First Watch. If it's doing well this time next year, Bush will likely get his vote, despite his qualms. "If the economy perks up again," Catcher said, "I think we probably shouldn't upset the apple cart."

Apple cart?? What the hell. Isn't one of those where this president was born just the other other day.

How can people possible praise this turd's "character." Just when did we all become so brainwashed in this country? Where was I, because I sure feel I'm missing out on something.

[young_at_heart]

7. CBS interviewed NASCAR fans.........they just love him

They were asked if they'd ever vote for a Democrat and the answer was no! I live in NC (where the interview took place).........very depressing.

[wegottem]

9. its ok

its ok to shit in the oval offfice, just no blow jobs.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

15. Ahh yes, the hypocracy of white conservatives everywhere...

maybe "NASCAR" should be called "Red Neck Racing" instead.

[saigon68]

18. THEIR CHILD HAS NOT BEEN KILLED YET.

They will turn on him in ones and twos, when the deaths stack up.

We need to work to educate them, that their children are dying for a Ruling Corporate Class, profits and a whacked view of the world.

He was a motherfucking AWOL Draft-dodger.

[screembloodymurder]

24. NASCAR

figures.

[54anickel]

8. Character?!? He's Pinky and the Brain rolled into one!

His own mother called him "Dumb as a fox".
A lunatic wanting to take over the world!

[LibDemAlways]

10. Anyone who "likes" the chimp

has more than one screw loose.

What's to like about a smarmy, smug, elitist bastard who casually sends other human beings to die in order to benefit his rich cronies; who is an illegitimate fraud who has no business even being in the WH; who is the most despised individual on the planet - so hated that he can't appear in public anywhere - including anywhere in this country?

What's to like about a draft dodging AWOL chickenshit son of privilege who never worked an honest day in his life, who lies daily, who can't articulate a coherent sentence despite an "Ivy League" education, who surrounds himself with vermin like Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and Rove?

What's to like about an arrogant prick who mocks a condemned woman before signing her death warrant, who believes in tax cuts for millionaires and benefit cuts for everyone else, who lives by the motto "Who cares what you think?"

Not only do I not want to see the chimp "re-selected" a year from now, I won't be satisfied until I see his ass in prison.

[leesa]

14. But he's Pro-Life! Tell that to the tens of thousands of Afghans and

Iraqis he's murdered. I doubt that this is very real. Can Americans truly be this dumb? Just because Faux tells them these things they belive it despite what their own eyes and ears tell them? My guess is that these are people who NEVER have actually heard one of his speeches or seen him speak. They get their opinions from Rush or Faux. I'm certain they have NO IDEA what his policies are.

Notice how ALL his fans are business owners. These are people that still buy into the myths that Republicans can handle money and are compassionate.

He is the rudest, most insincere, sneering person I have ever seen.

[burrowowl]

11. Eeech!

There are actually people who understand his special brand of English:

"He's less phony than most of the candidates. He's more credible. And I can understand him. He speaks at my level," said Gene Goldman, 50, a financial advisor."

And finacial advisor at that, no wonder the economy is going down the tubes.

[alarimer]

20. glad he's not my financial advisor

"He speaks at my level!" This guy must be an idiot then. How can people be so stupid? Bush tells the truth??? My ass.

[shrike]

12. This IS Missouri, after all

Bastion of conservative politics. I didn't read the whole article (not registered with LA Times) but if they were interviewing solely in that area, they were bound to get lots of Bush supporters.

We recently spoke with an Australian acquaintance who spent some time traveling in the United States. Everywhere he went, Americans bashed Bush. And he spent a good deal of time in Ohio.

Oh, and the Aussies despite Bush, he says.

[Military Brat]

13. So they like his personality? Anyone remember Ted Bundy?

bush and Bundy have something in common, gee whiz, no matter how many people they kill, gosh darnit, they're just so doggone likeable *barf* So next time someone says, "Well, I like bush as a person," tell them people said the same thing about Ted Bundy. (The only difference being, Bundy had superior intelligence.)

I am personally disgusted by this talking point about bush being likeable as a person. How can they possibly draw a line between someone's so-called charming personality and their heinous action?

Dr. Dubya and Mr. Hyde.

[Ouabache]

47. good comeback Brat

"Yeah, well Ted Bundy had a charming personality too."
Good one.

[Wickerman]

17. . He speaks at my level," said Gene Goldman, 50, a financial advisor.

and that explains the mess that finances US wide are in. LBN has posts on the Schwab scandal. When Bush* is considered "likeable" this country is truly in moral crisis.

[dArKeR]

46. Gene, I thought it was a SIN to LIE?

No person with intelligence could say that. I'd like to investigate Gene's background!

[0rganism]

19. Looks like Dems are losing the Clayton, MO vote, then. Darn.

Did the LA Times writer really have to go all the way to Clayton Missouri to find people who will support chimpy for No Good Reason? That bodes well for our side.

[TonkaToy]

22. Dems Never Had The Clayton, MO Vote

Clayton is probably the 2nd or 3rd wealthiest zip code in Missouri. It is the county seat of St. Louis County (Not to be confused with St. Louis City. They are two distinct counties)and home to Fortune 500 businesses, financial firms and some truly ugly new McMansions. I would guess that in the last election Bush won Clayton with 60-70% of the vote.

[Jazzgirl]

31. TonkaToy, you're right.

Clayton is very wealthy. I bet most of 'em voted for A**croft when he was governor!

Jazzgirl :silly:

[Mountainman]

21. I think this is political propaganda. It is a Rove idea to retain support

If you voted for Bush in 2000 but he disappoints you now, a news story saying that many people feel that way but will vote for him again because they like him, will persuade you to vote for him again also.

I heard this story a few weeks back and will here it again. It also is used to discourage Dems from voting or working for a candidate. It says to us, "What's the use of trying, no matter how bad Bush is he will be elected anyway."

Don't fall for it.

[TXDemGal]

25. I agree with Mountain Man

Pure propaganda. I'm sure there are many who were duped into voting for *Bush in 2000 who are bound and determined NOT to vote for him again. However, there will be a few idiots doubting themselves, and these are the ones this Rove-designed propaganda aims to bring back into the BushCo fold.

[RobinA]

27. Not Propaganda

I don't think this is propaganda at all. I hear things like this from real people all the time, and I don't live anywhere near Missouri. People think he's honest. I can't figure out what the heck they mean by "honest," but that's what they think.

[54anickel]

28. honest; they mean he's not hoin' around like Bill. That's what I hear

alot from folks that like him. They just can't get beyond Monica

[markus]

49. Honest = "A Straight Shooter"

Which is of course the public persona he was chosen for.

Never miss an opportunity to point out: He Lies, He Lies, He Lies.

He's sold more Whoppers than Burger King.

He makes Bill Clinton look like a piker.

Hell, he'd prevaricate if he knew how to spell it or what it meant.

[Blue_Tires]

26. as a reporter

I had to cover one of *'s speeches at a local elementary school...After the speech, I kind of realized how some of the people in the article find him appealing...

He's never the kind to use big words or complicated metaphors to prove his point. Many of the people I spoke with afterwards said they were impressed with how bush could communicate on their level, i.e., lowest common denominator. This is not a man can weild his intelligence around like a sword, and unfortunately on some level, a lot of people connect with that...And you have to admit, there are a lot of blowhards and quasi-intellectuals on both sides of the political spectrum who try to hard to prove their smarts...I think this turns a lot of people off...

BTW, I heard my first-ever live bushism during the speech. Instead of "key skills," he said "ski kills!"

[lancdem]

42. You make some good points

BTW, I'd feel worse if these were people who didn't vote for Bush in 2000. Another thing to consider is, we don't have a nominee yet, so Bush is still kind of alone on the political stage. Even if you're disappointed in him, you may not even be focusing on the alternatives yet.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

29. How's it go? "You'll never go broke underestimating the stupidity of the

American people?"

Case in point.

[leetrisck]

30. bush is a stick figure with a belt buckle

Not a cowboy. I know cowboy's and he's no cowboy.

[demgrrrll]

33. I have read that Democrats do not understand that people vote for

people that they think they know rather than vote for or against issues. The author felt that the Democrats were more into marketing
policy, i.e. medicare and other issues that they felt would make
them desirable to certain segments of the population. The same '
thing holds true with those people who voted for Arnold, they misguidedly thought that they "knew" him. We scratch our collective heads and wonder how anyone could view someone in this matter but the truth is we need to wake up to this aspect of what drives someone to
vote for someone we would not vote for.

[young_at_heart]

35. I remember people sayiing they liked Reagan's smile

He had an engaging smile and easy manner.........that's what got a LOT of votes. When asked what he stood for, many could not give an answer and some confused him with his character, "The Gipper".

[Lorien]

39. Americans always pretty much vote for who

they "like" best; it has little or nothing to do with qualifications or policy. They just "liked" Clinton better than poppy bush* or Dole as well. Now it's up to us to chose a very "likable" candidate to run against the Squatter.

[TheReligiousLeft]

32. "The Great nation bowed down to the Son of Empire."

As it says in the DU Apocalypse Chapter 3 verse 2.
"2The Son of Empire was falling, he looked a fool and was a fool. Then, oh why. Through a plume of smoke, the falling of the Great Towers was the fool reborn. The Great Nation bowed down to the Son of Empire. They worshipped Empire’s Child."
<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=721542>

[peterh]

34. “He speaks at my level”

Tax Cuts --- gimme gimme gimme --- the class system rules…
Environment --- it’s there to be abused, so lets abuse it --- ATVs rule
Religion --- We are a Christian Nation --- get over it or leave
Foreign policy --- who cares what you think --- we dictate, you follow
Health care --- don’t have it, can’t afford it --- not my problem
Freedom --- there should be limits --- security trumps all

Character --- Clinton bad….Bush good --- cause Limpballs said so

The conservative mind….where thinking for ones self is over rated.

[Gloria]

36. I see this in my own house, with my mother: get this....

I nearly had a stroke yesterday. This woman gripes about drug costs, etc. etc. all the crap that Bush pushes via pandering to big business.

And then she says: She won't ever vote for a Democrat. BILL CLINTON HAD 8 YEARS TO CHANGE EVERYTHING!

So, the reasoning is that you blame Bill Clinton retroactively for NOT CHANGING the things that BUSH is crapping up....And, of course, the blow job is of PARAMOUNT importance.

Frankly, if the Medicare mess passes-- I will get screwed, but I'm waiting to hear her start squawking. By the way, the fact that we have a Republican Congress in control matters not.....and doesn't matter with regard to Clinton not solving all of Bush's mess in advance, either!

It's like going through the looking glass...I nearly felt insane all yesterday after this "conversation."

[Mountainman]

43. The buck never stops

With many wingers Clinton or someone else is to blame. "Stupid George is ma man!"

[DemVet]

37. This is truly disappointing. n/t

[snippy]

38. This is why the DNC should be using ridicule against Bush.

A lot of voters never follow politics. They just assume whoever is in office is competent or they wouldn't be in office in the first place. They will never believe that Bush is incompetently evil.
But many of the voters described in this article would abandon Bush if they thought he was ridiculous. Not because they disagreed with anything he has done but because they would feel embarassed to support a fool.

Bush's childish behavior provides lots of opportunities for ridicule, like his insistence that nothing is ever his fault, his desire to play sheriff by dressing up and taunting the killers of Americans, his instinctive reaction to lie about everything no matter how serious or insignificant, and on and on. The DNC should be running ads that could have been written by Letterman's or SNL's writers.

[Guaranteed]

53. You're 100% correct.

We have to make people feel ashamed for supporting this clown. We should be as brutal as possible.

[snippy]

59. The RNC uses this tactic frequently and successfully.

The target is people who always vote but never follow politics.

[loyalsister]

55. Absolutely not!

The built in defense is "How could they be so mean to this nice guy?"
People would fall for it and the messenger would be portrayed as cruel. Making fun of this "poor guy" who doesn't know some of the same big words they don't know would not appeal to people.

"But many of the voters described in this article would abandon Bush if they thought he was ridiculous."
He doesn't exercise the level of etiquette of the elite class he grew up in for a reason. He has cultivated looking like ordinary Americans very well. Not knowing exactly how to pronounce big words, and looking like a fool now and then are what create this "likability" for some people. To them, he is the guy who just made Cs and grew up in a rich house, became president, and is still pretty humble. He's the guy who they imagine will someday hand them a check for $1 million.
The way to do it is to go after him on policy and his ability to do the job. Get the voters who think about those things, and especially Get OUT the vote with those voters. The people who have decided to vote for him because they like him are a lost cause unless they find someone they like better.

[Buns_of_Fire]

62. That's the approach I usually take

Debating issues has no effect on the inhabitants of places like Faux and Freeperville. All they know is that after eight years of molten lust and unbridled debauchery, we finally have a president who has no dick. ("THAT'S NOT TRUE, YOUR HONOR!" "Yes it is. This man has no dick. Unless you count Cheney, that is.") The 30% or so who blindingly support Commander Codpiece don't want to hear facts, anyway. So I have no qualms about fighting, as it used to be called, "dirty."

When the darling of the right, Rush-the-Druggie, declared Chelsea Clinton the "White House dog" was when the gloves came off.

[snippy]

67. That 30% or so will always vote republican no matter what.

They are significant only in terms of turnout. The DNC should try to disillusion them to depress their turnout, but they will never vote democratic.

[rocktivity]

40. BORG JOURNALISM! (Resistance to the GOP is futile)

This is merely a variation of the "Bush Hater epidemic" talking point (which was preceded by "Can you HONESTLY the world is a better place without Saddam?"). Since the GOP can't argue with not liking Bush as a president, they're trying to truncate dissent and generate guilt by finding fault with not liking him as a person. If the your answer is yes, then you have no choice but to support him. If your answer is no, you're prejduced against him, no doubt to biased reports in the liberal media!


rocknation

[Puglover]

41. Don't you all just flip out when....

someone talks about how " likeable" this asshole is? With the smirk and the stupid demeaning jokes and just well....EVERYTHING. Sometimes I feel like a "Stranger in a Strange Land" Honestly there is nothing about him that is appealing to me except the thought of never having to look at his ugly unelected face again.

[smirkymonkey]

76. Welcome to DU!!

:toast:

And yes, I go berzerk when I hear how "likeable" he is. Everything about him screams asshole to me. I still cannot stand to hear his voice or see his image - I have never hated anyone so much in my life!

The only thing worse than that is when people tell you how "smart" he really is. :wtf:

[nolabels]

57. Tell me how to think master (Thanks rocknation)

You hit it on the head

http://www.hermes-press.com/brainwash1.htm


(snip)
The puppet Bush regime is using new, aggressive forms of brainwashing to change the very way Americans think and feel.
This is the psychological dimension of the "High Cabal's" general onslaught against American workers, just as the "war on terrorism" is the military dimension and corporate crime and tax cuts for the rich comprise the economic dimension.

We are living under the beginning stages of a military dictatorship in precisely the same way that 1930s Germans suffered under the Nazi regime.

As in the case of Nazi Germany, state-sponsored propaganda (brainwashing) is a vital part of the Bush regime's strategy.
(snip)

[DemonFighterLives]

44. Much to gripe about

Fits in one concise sentence. This kind of article sounds like a make believe piece like Newshax.com. They do believe like that though. I guess the intelligence level is so superior that only certain people can read the shrub right.
:puke: I had to let fly. I couldn't hold it any longer.

[iam]

48. This is good news

It is much earier to attack character than policy (especially if the policy is working) but dumbya has bad policy and since he is a damned liar, his character will fall as soon as the attacks start. Everything presents an opportunity.

[Voltaire99]

50. "He speaks at my level": a reality check for DU!

That's his allure. Understand: huge numbers of people like the chimp for the very qualities that make him unappealing to liberals.

Simplicity. Lack of sophistication. Cliches. Reactionary thinking. Folksiness. Absence of irony.

They like a talking barstool, in other words.

Bush can't be beaten with this crowd, the vast NASCAR/WalMart center and right. They'd rather go down with Bush than up with, say, Dean. Enthralled to hobgoblins they scarcely understand, these people will not vote their interests.

[young_at_heart]

51. I bet (like Bush), they don't read newspapers either

or watch the evening news. It seems as though many Americans are completely clueless about their government and especially about world events.

[snippy]

60. Exactly. There are many people who vote, especially in presidential

elections, who do not follow politics at all and are completely uninformed about any issues. Ridicule of an opponent rather than debating the issues is effective with these voters. The RNC spent millions ridiculing Gore in 2000.

[Ripley]

61. That quote is from a 50 year old financial advisor.

I know someone exactly like him in the same profession. He was trying to explain to me that the loss of manufacturing jobs was no big deal, because afterall, Americans have always been the inventors, innovators and cutting edge go-getters....we've always let other people like the Japanese make the products.

I was shocked a guy his age, working for decades with American Express would say such a stupid, horrible, illogical thing. These guys aren't NASCAR/WalMart. His teenage daughters drive brand new $30,000 cars.

These guys are lying. They like Smirk for his tax cuts and pro-business, anti-worker policies, only. They couldn't care less what his personality is.

[RobinA]

73. I Agree With Your Point

but I never understand this way of thinking. I want a President who is SMARTER than me. I want one who knows more about foreign policy than I do. I want somebody who can speak better in front of a crowd than me. Why do I want someone LIKE me in the White House, I don't know how to solve these problems.

[Guaranteed]

52. This is why we have to attack his character

We have to show people that he's just a corporate whore, or it won't even matter that he's incompetent- they'll still go with the "at least he's trying" bit. Even dealing with national security.

People are just such fucking idiots. God.

[gate of the sun]

54. strange........

how could anyone like his personality......." I just like him" I don't buy it.....it's idiotic.

[rman]

56. we'd first have to explain: there are no WMDs, no 9-11 Saddam connection

then they'll understand what personality * has: he's a liar.

[michaud]

58. Unbelievable

I just cant understand why you folks go on an on about one article about a rich gatted community of country club republicans.

Get real folks.

Bush is out, people said the same thing about his father, and look where that got him. Out with less than 40% of the vote.

Now.

The topic should how do we win and who do we win with.

I've read article all over the internet and some linked in the this one and only Democratic Underground to stories about Republicans who have never voted Democrat and are now willing to listen to Dean.

Thats an improvement folks. We can win if we stick to it and forget the propoganda, change the subject to our liking on the national stage and run the entire campaign like it is inevitable that we will win!!!!!!!!!

Dean!!! Dean!!! Dean!!!


And by the way quit posting stories about how Dean is another McGovern, he isnt he is our next Clinton without the penis.

[lancdem]

78. "He is our next Clinton without the penis." LOL

I assume you mean he's Clinton without the sex scandal(s). :)

[BlackFrancis]

63. oh bullshit

For some reason the majority of people in every reputable poll say they don't want him for two terms but this guy can't find anyone who believes in the majority opinion. I think that gives you a clue about who his circle of friends are. :eyes:

[ibegurpard]

64. I'd say these idiots deserve him

but, unfortunately, the rest of us are in the same boat.

[0007]

65. Sounds like pure propaganda from Karl Rove

Pay no attention to it folks. I'm sorry the LAtimes would even go this low.

[Jack Rabbit]

66. We've seen it before

Can you say Reagan? Can you say teflon?

During the eighties, poll after poll showed Reagan was personally popular while his policies were not. The good news is that it didn't translate into big GOP victories at the polls, other then in 1980. The bad news is that Americans allowed him to keep pushing very policies they found odious -- Star Wars, the big military build up, adventurism in Latin America all culminating in Iran-Contra. Through it all, Reagan remained personally popular. Even fifteen years after he left the White House, when one can look back and make a good argument that Reagan was one of the most incompetent Presidents ever, the GOP is able to exploit the fiction that he was a great leader who saved the country from economic morass and won the Cold War -- all nonsense.

Reagan also benefited from a press and media that did not pursue his countless errors. There were many scandals in his administration, even other than Iran-Contra, but they never tarnished his image.

Bush has an even more compliant press. The invasion and occupation of Iraq is an unnecessary adventure based on lies that is designed to benefit the transnational corporation that have foot the bill for Mr. Bush's political career. It is less a military operation then it is the most grotesque political scandal in history. Yet he could not have sold this bill of goods to the American public without the compliance of American mainstream journalists. Those of us who looked to the foreign press and less conventional sources for news knew what was going on and protested ahead of the invasion last winter. Those who read mainstream newspapers or watch CNN had the wool pulled over their eyes. In addition to that, obfuscating influences like rightwing talk radio and the Murdoch media empire, which were in their infancy during the Reagan years, are now mature major polluters of the airwaves. As bad as the New York Times and the Washington Post were in selling the war, they were still standards of journalistic integrity compared to the Washington Times and the New York Post.

This may be the fly in the oatmeal for those of us who thrive to restore American democracy after the assault it has taken from the coup of 2000 and its aftermath. The problem for us is that not only does Bush represent rotten politics, he is indicative of a rotten and dysfunctional social hierarchy. This hierarchy controls what we see and hear; they can sell refigerators to Eskimoes and persuade the chickens to follow the fox. Thus we have an unelected leader who turns over the federal budget surplus to his cronies, allows the wages of American workers to fall and uses their children as cannon fodder in wars that benefit the social elites and are predicated on lies.

[PATRICK]

68. Who gets the vote?

Whatever the issues or the record it is the candidate most relaxed and able to win people over with a smile. Of course even for a consummate actor oblivious to reality it is impossible to portray that and not have an edge already.

It is the candidate who makes people comfortable with him as a leader and potential Prez. Bush I in turning sour and contentious with Perot was already losing arguably because of his record, while Clinton looked real good.

If charm boy gets nasty and shaky under pressure MORE than the irriations of restricted campaigning to select plebeians his record would be an anchor despite the levitation antics of the media pool. if, as Edwards and others have said, accentuating a bright, hopeful positive is ADDED to that mess of an uncharismatic dweeb, all of our top candidates would look presidential in comparison.

Then the dolt vote would start jumping to the "winner" or sullenly stay home.

Close means they steal a mandate. Behind means they squeak a steal. Being crushed by the Democrats in the polls means undeniable victory. I hope our side is not banking on winning the presidency on debate points. That won't happen by itself.

[nolabels]

72. Yea, but do you really think this will let up, because I don't

If one also notices a trend, its that Republicans occupied the White House much more of the time if factoring in the eighties is done.

I don't think politics will get any better till a lot more people start understanding the implications of being immoral hypocrites

People with lots money don’t throw it at causes they cannot have a direct hand in unless they feel the investment will come back to them.

http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/
(snip)
Tracking the influence of private money in President Bush's re-election campaign.
So far, donors have given Bush: $100,810,000
As Bush’s “Dash for Cash Tour” Tops $100 Million, 24 New Contributors Added to List of Rangers and Pioneers


The Bush-Cheney re-election campaign’s unprecedented $100 million fundraising effort over the past six months has relied on super-donors – 309 contributors who have attained elite status with the Bush organization, including 24 new bundlers named this week.

WhiteHouseForSale.org has posted the names of the new Rangers and Pioneers, along their home states, employers and occupations. The Bush campaign now has 106 Rangers, those fundraisers who bundle $200,000 in individual contributions, and 203 Pioneers, who each have brought in $100,000. The notable new rainmakers include ex-EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman; U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby; Thomas Nassif of the Western Growers Association; lobbyists Charles and Judy Black; William McGuire, CEO of United Health Care Group; and Warren Staley, CEO of agribusiness giant Cargill Inc.
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[librechik]

69. He's a "fine Southern Gentleman"

as Naomi Judd memorably said before the election. These Missouri citizens are using the "character" talking point to cover up for the obvious: They are racists, and they believe Shrub is a racist, and they are sticking with him the way a murder cult member sticks by its leadership. To do otherwise would reveal the criminal secret they share.

I spit on this "character" lie.

Not only that, he's not even Southern!

But these racists, as the writer points out, will never ever change.
We need to expose their un-Christian sinful lying world, and help our brothers and sisters in the south who try to oppose it.

[DemonFighterLives]

71. One thing Dems are forgetting

Some of these clowns are making good money and some are getting filthy rich off of the taxpayers money. Er, what there was of taxpayer money which is long gone now. They will easily ignore anything bad as long as their wallet is routinely filled.

[Lisa]

74. *Important! This is why Rove spends so much $$$ ...

... burnishing Bush's phony image. He knows it's the ONLY THING they have to fall back on. Bush's policies are a flop, he's getting the US into terrible danger, and he has no vision. He's standing there butt-naked -- that's why they are desperately clinging to the handful of rags that's his manufactured "jolly rancher" personality. This is their only defense against criticism -- "Oh, he's such a nice guy, don't bully him!"

[dArKeR]

75. Bush: Nice guy, lousy president, poll reveals

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=3&art_id=qw1069142761625B221&set_id=1

[ElementaryPenguin]

77. L.A. Times owned by Tribune - Herr Rumsfeld sits on board of directors!

This is COMPLETE bullshit!!! Bush cannot be elected without rigging the fucking election - period!

[KansDem]

79. He does project a certain charm...

If you like "whoopie-cushion humor!!!"