Are we witnessing the collapse of the Republican Party?

[TornadoTN]

While driving around town recently, I pulled into a gas station to fill up. When I pulled up to the pump, I noticed a large SUV, a Tahoe, at the pump next to me with a large green bumper sticker with white text that said, "My SUV loves Iraqi Oil". Upon further observation, I noticed not surprisingly that there were "W. The President" stickers all over the back glass. I just shook my head, knowing that I live in a red area of a state that has lost its direction. While the numbers kept rolling as I pumped that "Iraqi Oil" into my car, I heard the woman in the Tahoe complaining about the price of gas to another lady, blaming it on the "Arabs". I peeked my head around the corner and said to her, "Yeah, that Iraqi Oil sure is helping us out, isn't it?". Obviously flustered, she quickly finished up, got back in her car and left.

I note this story because there are some interesting shifts taking place here in East Tennessee that in my opinion are the beginning of an "awakening" of sorts. Support for the war is decreasing substantially here and dissent is starting to be heard from the grassroots groups that are actively campaigning to get the truth out about the war. People who were once steadfastly "Pro-War", are now quietly questioning the validity of the war in Iraq and our continued involvement.Churches are torn in the stem cell debate, because the truth is starting to get out that we aren't going to "kill babies to harvest stem cells" nor are we going to create a race of clones, destined to overthrow the church. People are dissatisfied with our leadership, they simply do not trust George W. Bush or his administration. Don't mention Bill Frist here in East Tennessee, he is enemy number one among most people here, including the church-goers. He hung himself with the Terri Schiavo debacle and tightened the noose with the nuclear option. Republicans elected to office are trying to position themselves closer to the middle now, knowing that being alligned with the right-wing is a losing proposition. Some are even coming out and saying that the war in Iraq was wrong. Where were they when this whole mess started?

People are starting to realize that the Bush legacy and his plan for the country is not in the best interests of the middle-class, common person. Even though the main stream media is clearly in control of corporate interests and they tend to censor the truth, people are still seeing through the charade and forming their own opinions. They feel the effects on their pocket book, their jobs and when another soldier who is a neighbor returns home with a missing limb. More and more, neighbors and others that know me have taken an interest in learning my reasons for never being alligned with the Republicans in the first place. Its been a long time coming, but welcome nonetheless.

The Republican party is no longer the part of the conservative. Its become the part of the theocrats, warmongers and the corporate facists. Slowly, but surely, true conservatives are starting to realize that the course our country is on is a collision course with doom and perhaps the downfall of our country. Now is the time for us to get out there and get to work educating our fellow citizens about our party and our beliefs. We have to change the general perception of the Democratic party. Just like Howard Dean said, we are the party of moral values, of individual responsibility and fiscally responsible economics. Make no mistake, the Republicans may be split, they may be ready to eat each other, but they will regroup because they can't stand to be away from power. Remember, when the winds change, so do politicians. Some Republicans are already changing their view on Iraq, the economy, stem cell research, etc. Its just another example of a wolf in sheeps clothing.

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I appreciate your post

Your post is clearly anecdotal. Good news, to be sure .... but anecdotal. I've experienced the same thing here in a blue state. The purple areas seem to be moving a bit away from their blind allegience and actually (gasp) thinking for themselves - which is always a good thing.

How do you get the feeling the tide is turning? Is it more than anecdotal?

[TornadoTN]

3. Personal Observation

Right now its mainly personal observation, anecdotal. However, having grown up in this area, I have a pretty good read on whats going on. I have never witnessed as many people openly discussing their dissatisfaction with the course our country is on. I will even go as far to say that while working with the Kerry-Edwards campaign here in East Tennessee, we had a lot of people cross party lines to vote for Kerry, but most interestingly, a lot more would have voted Democrat but didn't for whatever reason. They were not happy with Bush, but felt they had no alternative. That is saying a lot here, because people wear their politics on their sleeve. There is little room to be undecided or unsure.

I also base a lot of my theory on the news/polls throughout the country that are showing clear dissatisfaction with Bush and the Republican party as a whole.

[Parche]

77. who knows

Maybe this is a good thing that is happening (we all know it is not)
These zombies need to get hit on the head with reality really hard
and this is their wake up call
So then in 2006 we will win big

[tyedyeto]

14. It seems to me that we are hearing more ...

of these anecdotal stories these days than we have in the past 4 1/2 years. In many areas of the country, too. So, maybe there is some truth in them?

Also, look at some of the polls that have been taken in the past month or so. *'s ratings, the Schiavo fiasco, stem cell research support, etc. all overwhelmingly direct opposite of the * admin's viewpoint.

[FreedomAngel82]

59. Makes one wonder doesn't it?

If you didn't believe in election fraud before maybe you would now. If you see all the recent polls siding with democrats wouldn't it make you suspecious? Because if Bush really did have his "mandate" wouldn't the polls, even just one of them, be on Bush's side? Wouldn't his ratings be at least around 50%??

[grace0418]

79. Also anecdotal, but telling...

I have a CafePress page selling anti-Bush items to raise money for progressive causes (see my sig line). Prior to the election I was making at least 3-5 sales per day- not bad considering I don't advertise or anything. After the election and well into 2005, my sales tanked. I would go days without a single sale. But about a month ago, sales unexpectedly picked up again. By a lot, maybe even more than before the election. Yesterday I made 8 sales. I really believe the tide of public opinion is turning. Or at least I hope so.

It's certainly about damn time people effing woke up!

[trotsky]

2. Re: oil

I have had discussions with some honest Republicans who admitted they didn't care that Saddam had no WMDs and was not connected to 9/11 or Al-Q, that they supported the war because it was important to the American economy and our national security to make sure we had access to lots of oil. So arguments showing how immoral or illegal the war was had no effect. BUT, high prices at the pump destroy their one reason they supported the war - the desire for cheap, free-flowing gasoline.

So I think you are right, many people are waking up to the deception of the crooks and thieves running the country right now.

[immoderate]

72. Love how you use the phrase "honest Republicans"

They are willing to admit that we are there to steal Iraqi oil. :rofl:

--IMM

[brooklynite]

4. What I would do is play along...

I peeked my head around the corner and said to her, "Yeah, that Iraqi Oil sure is helping us out, isn't it?". Obviously flustered, she quickly finished up, got back in her car and left.

Getting a dig in may be more satisfying, but a more subtle approach might deliver better results. If you sense an unease with the current situation, commiserate but steer the conversation to areas where their dissatisfaction can be increased ("isn't it a shame that after all we did for OUR PRESIDENT in the last election, he still won't pressure our allies to produce more, or crack down on the price gouging oil companies? Don't they know there's a war on and we're all struggling?)

[TornadoTN]

8. Good idea

Normally, that would be the approach I would take. But this woman rubbed me the wrong way from the get-go (her conversation was clearly racist), so I took the low road.

[indepat]

5. Rather than watching the collapse of the Republican Party, we are

watching the Republicans, together with many, many Democrats, collapse the Republic by collapsing constitutional protections, fiscal sanity, the environment, the rule of law, world order, and goodwill among nations, among many, many others. And the crowd cheers and marches to the beat of the drummer like lemming rushing out to sea.

[TornadoTN]

7. In a sense, you are absouletly correct

I agree, there are a lot of things that the Democrats are just as dirty or complacent in letting happen.

But I get the feeling that the American people are going to wake up to this. And wake up they must.

[Inland]

10. Or perhaps, the republicans have already made sure that

a chance in public opinion comes too late, as the demise of democracy, law, order, and the bankruptcy of the government, and NGOs, make it difficult to mount a challege to the protofascist government.

[AlinPA]

15. While waving their flags and bibles. n/t

[Inland]

6. Even the evil people think Bush sux, tried to steal Iraq oil and failed

Iraq is pumping less oil now than when Saddam was around. For all those conservative who though we were going to get control of a bunch of oil, we didn't, since any insurgent with a bomb improvised from elements taken out of depots the US failed to secure can interrupt oil export for days, all of Iraq's refineries are off line or inefficient, and the current pumping operations are actually destroying Iraq's reserves.

Iraq is a net energy NEGATIVE, since we put more oil into ferrying our troops and ships and flying our planes than Iraq produces.

Worst evil empire ever.

[annerevere]

9. Thank you for your post

Your observations are very good news. I grew up in northern Alabama and am well acquainted with rednecks. It's good to hear that things are beginning to change.

[liberal N proud]

11. Good jab

You got to take those opportunities when they are presented.

[Vogon_Glory]

12. A Heartening Story, BUT

I find your story heartening, but I won't believe that the Republican Party is in serious trouble until the votes are truthfully and accurately counted and Republican incumbents are thrown out of office in droves.

Working to throw the Banana Republicans out of office is a worthy goal and soemthing that ought to be done for the good of the republic and the good of the country. But I still feel burned by the political results last year--how many voters are STILL feeling warm, fuzzy feelings for the right-wingers who have been bamboozling them? (Will they EVER wise up?) Decent people not only need to take back the White House, but both houses of Congress and statehouses and governor's mansions across the land, too.

This is going to be harder in some areas than others, I'm sorry to say. Texas looks to remain a source of Banana Republican power for a while yet.

I think that we're in for a long march.

[TornadoTN]

13. No doubt about it

No doubt about it, we have a long road ahead of us. But remember, this past election was close (even with clear cases of fraud). We have to keep working on ensuring a secure and fair voting system, but we also have to work on getting our ideas out there and clear up the many, many misconceptions about the Democratic party and our ideals. The Right-Wingers are in trouble, they are flailing about trying to shore up their power base, but it is slipping away bit by bit.

It is a long march, with many more battles to be fought. But I believe now is the time to capitalize on the current trends throughout the country.

[H2O Man]

16. No.

The republican party is becoming stronger in the sense that the radical right's social agenda is becoming much more entrenched.

[TornadoTN]

17. True, but

The Republican party is ceaasing to be the "inclusive" party that is was before 1994. They tried the moderate approach, now the right wing is taking over, throwing the moderates overboard while they sail the rest of us off the edge.

I know that there are rabid fundamentalists running the party, but it seems to me that the moderates are losing their voice. I believe that the GOP is rotting from within.

[H2O Man]

22. The rabid right

is indeed not open to the moderate republicans. The reason is unpleasant, but true: they are strong enough that they don't need to pretend to be moderate. The proof is in the pudding -- the most extreme snakes are being awarded federal judgeships, and Bolton will be approved for the UN position, possibly today. If either of those are viewed as evidence the moderates are gaining strength, or growing the balls needed to stand up to the extremists, I'll be damned .... because it surely seems that the extreme right is getting everything they demand.

[BillZBubb]

56. Your view is the correct one.

Too many here at DU are living in state of denial. The facts are that the rabid right is having success after success and not paying much if any political price.

Sure, their poll numbers show a sag. But, I can remember, not too long ago, the Repugs poll numbers were just as bad and people here were crowing how Bush was "toast" and the Democrats were going to have a sweeping victory in 2004. Didn't happen. In fact, the Senate got even more fanatically right wing in that election. The sheeple elected Repugs who were mentally ill in Kentucky and Oklahoma over decent, moderate Democrats.

The rightward swing of the pendulum still has a way to go.

[Tux]

84. Don't forget

Christians rely on their ministers. Once the ministers to vote Republican or burn in Hell, they will vote Republican.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

18. I must disagree...

The unholy alliance between the theocratic Rapturist Right, Corporate Wallstreet and upper-middle class was doomed to collapse at some point. You see, the religious zealots DON'T compromise, they are single-minded and they simply WON'T stop until they get everything they want. Although wallstreet may sit back as long as they get their bankruptcy bill type legislation passed, the upper-middle class is getting NOTHING except the memory of tax breaks while observing intrusive legislation (like Shiavo), the quagmire in Iraq, heavy-handed foreign policy continuing to alienate allies, threats of stem-cell veto, a mean spirited bankruptcy bill passed amidst record profits for CC companies, freefall pork spending and outlandish threats against the judiciary.

[H2O Man]

19. I'm not sure

how that could be seen as disagreeing with me. (grin) It's pretty much what I think .... except that the "unholy alliance" has not collapsed yet, and there is no evidence that it will any time soon.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

26. From personal experience....

I know 5 Republicans who have changed their party registrations over the past several months. That includes me. Not all have switched to Democrat...some went Independent or Libertarian...BUT, the point is, these are actual people in my corner of the world who are FED UP. All of these defectors would fall into the upper-middle class category so that is why I posted earlier that these will be the point that herniates first. We desperately want to see strong leadership from the Democrats. I have been personally impressed with Harry Reid's leadership in the Senate but would love to see a Galloway type stance with the power of concise words.

Here's to the hope of future sanity.:toast:

[H2O Man]

80. I know a few

republicans who find the Cheney/Bush administration is farther from their values than was Clinton/Gore. And I have one relative who has changed from republican. But "power" doesn't only come from the numbers of people who vote one way or the other .... or Gore would have taken the office he was elected to in 2000.

The word "power" comes from the Latin root "posse," which simply means "posesses the ability." And a tiny minority in America posesses the ability to control the majority. That can change, and I surely hope it does. But at this point in time, the administration has more power than it did a year ago.

[TornadoTN]

20. Right on the money

Perfect explanation. These issues that you outline are the issues that affect us all, no matter what social class we belong to. I consider myself to be a part of the upper-middle class and I can tell you that I have gotten nothing out of the George W. Bush presidency other than a paltry refund check in 2001, while all other costs of living have increased substantially. Thats not to mention the other affronts to common sense that have been shoved on us.

[H2O Man]

23. No one questions

that part is true. Yet it would hardly support the proposition that the republican party is collapsing.

[TornadoTN]

25. Clarification

Perhaps "collapse" was the wrong word to use, which it might not be at the moment. However, I do believe that it is weakening with each right-wing power grab attempt.

[Tux]

85. Profits

Christians would love to ban Plan B, condoms, the Pill, and all scientific knowledge. Corporations that make money on birth control, technology, and such will not tolerate anything like that. It's now Christianity vs Money.

[H2O Man]

87. A small but vocal minority

of Christians would indeed want to "ban" birthcontrol, abortion in all instances, science that challenges their "safety zone," and Beatle records made after 1965.

A combination of common sense plus the money-to-be-made that you mention will keep this small minority from ever obtaining their goal. In a very real sense, the minority prefers it that way, as they enjoy seeing society as crucifying them.

Abortion will be restricted to the exact extent that the republican right sees it affecting their daughters, and no more. One need only look back to the era of Roe, and study the policies of the Nixon administration in regard to Indian women as young as 15, to understand that our government does not want a huge population of poor people reproducing. (See "Reprise/Forced Sterilizations: Native Americans and the 'Last Gasp of Eugenics,'" by Bruce E. Johnson; Native Americans (Winter 1998), pages 44-47).

The editorial of the Fall 2004 issue of the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report discusses James Hart, the republican candidate for the8th congressional district of Tennesse. Hart was running on a campaign platform that included his belief that immigration and welfare had to be "stopped" before the USA became "one big Detroit." He advocated a policy of forced sterilization as a "war on poverty genes" aimed at the "lesser races" and "bums from the slums."

I think that it is important to recognize that people like Hart, and others in the Council of Conservative Citizens, are pushing a "christian" policy that is selective in its love of life, its advocacy of sacred birth-rights, and its application of science.

[Tux]

88. However

If the Republican party doesn't do the biddings of the Trinity (Falwell, Dobson, Robertson), they may get less support from churches. Afterall, Christians do feel "persecuted" but it can't last forever especially if we can get the MSM to cover Dufar more.

[ktowntennesseedem]

21. Being from ET, you'll appreciate this football analogy:

I'm sensing the same thing from my vantage point; the natives are restless and uneasy. I think it is like Tennessee football when the team has lost a few games, including a couple of blow-outs and a game or two that we should have won. Throw in a few wins where the team struggled when we should have easily prevailed, and you get a lot of Big Orange fans ready to send a moving van to the coach's house. Their still diehard UT fans, and no one's ready to start routing for Vandy or Kentucky, but they do decide to stick the orange shirts back in the closet and skip the late games.

I think that's similar to what the majority of Dubya-worshipers are experiencing. They are still Republican and still conservative and still whatever, but it's killing them to be a fan right now. The same bunch that was so enthusiastic going into the election (spring training, pre-season expectations), and who were so giddy after beating mean ol' Kerry (that opening game win that should have been easier that it was), they are now embarrassed by the broken promises and failed expectations. They not about to run out and register as Democrats, but they're not happy with what they are seeing.

Hopeful indeed!

[TornadoTN]

24. Great analogy

Your words are prophetic and so very true. The first sign of trouble, its time to fire Fulmer or fire Randy Sanders. They dont jump off the big orange band wagon, they want to find new leadership.

The only problem with applying this to a political sense, is that the people in power are not going to go easy if they people want change. The right-wing fundies are too entrenched and drunk with power to let anyone even close to being a moderate take control of the party. Where does that leave the majority calling for change? Either suck it up and be without a voice or vote Democrat.

[DistressedAmerican]

27. I Truly Hope You Are Right! Well Written! Nominated!

[DistressedAmerican]

29. Here's A Tombstone For Them!

[Doomfookinstein]

28. Good Ridance

I think Harald Ford would make a good senotar in Tenesse. That state could use some divercity.

[knoxvilleboy]

30. How would he be different?

How would he be different from Bill Frist? Gee, their voting records seem highly similar to me.

[Doomfookinstein]

31. I just

think that Frist is crooked with HMOs like HealthSouth. Ford is very smart and pragmanic. I look for Howard Dean to help him.

[FreedomAngel82]

62. If Dean could help him that'd be nice

I would like a democrat to represent me. A true democrat by the way. I wonder if he would listen to Dean or any other democrat in the Senate who's with the big boys (like Kerry, Kennedy and Boxer for example).

[Pockets]

32. Repugs are savages - the tide is not turning...

Since * never has to run again it's OK for them to hate him now. Repugs are evil cannibals. They eat their own, and are fueled by hatred. Don't be fooled. It takes the greatest contortions imaginable for Repugs to pretend to be decent human beings during elections. They expose their despicable true colors in off seasons. They'll return with their false halos just in time to be re-elected.

[DeepModem Mom]

33. Thanks for this post! nt

[Pacifist Patriot]

34. No, we're witnessing the hijacking of the Republican party.

Or rather witnessed its accomplishment.

Despite such pessimism, I'm actually optimistic about the country. Indeed our hour seems dark but I have faith that Americans can only be pushed so far. We saw it in the Sedition Act of 1798, slavery, McCarthyism, civil rights, etc. This is a setback and a dangerous one, but I do believe we can get the pendulum to swing back. A state of insanity can only exist for so long before it must either self-destruct or be destroyed. Hopefully it won't be the latter.

[TornadoTN]

37. Agreed

That's what I believe. I know we are in dark and troubled times, and there is still much uncertainty about the course this nation has chosen. But however dark it seems right now, I believe that the pendulum will swing back. Our country has a history of seeing and correcting its mistakes (for the most part).

All of the nay-saying and doom & gloom is a little disheartening, yet justified. I feel down about it from time to time, but I know that we as a country and unified can accomplish much to correct the mistakes and the damage that this administration has done. Perhaps only then will the true conservatives in the country will wake up and realize they were used and abused to advance a hate filled agenda.

[FreedomAngel82]

64. I do hope you're right

I'm glad people are waking up to the Bush camp anyways. It is nice to see the poll numbers all side with the democrats on issues from Social Security to just overall raitings. I'm not going to hold my breath though for them to vote democratic next year or even in 2008. But my grandparents did vote for Kerry this past time and they're republicans and I was really surprised personally. My mother has been a republican since she could vote but earlier this year declared she was no longer one and for the first time next year will vote straight democratic. I was really surprised. I'm still working on my dad. ;) We voted for the same person for mayor though so there's some hope. :D

[triguy46]

35. Nope

They haven't done ruining the world yet.

[bullwinkle428]

36. Blaming high gas prices on the Arabs?

But aren't they her Dark Lord & Master's bestest buddies? Someone explain this to me!! :evilgrin:

[TornadoTN]

38. Interesting dillema

Most of the devout right-wingers I know are some of the most racist people that I have ever come in contact with, yet they don't seem to notice that Bush is in bed with the Saudi's (who I might add are the real culprits behind 9/11).

I just can't figure out Neocon logic, but that may be the point: they have none.

[FreedomAngel82]

65. Maybe what you can do for those people

is find the photo's of Bush holding hands with the Saudi prince and show it to them. They'd flip out at that! Dear leader who's supposed to be macho holding hands with a prince.

[Tippy]

39. Good news from E. TN

I can't get a good handle on this here in Middle TN...I know there are far fewer Letters to the Editor from the Republicans, paper is printing a lot of Democratic letters...

I like the H Ford we saw when he first entered politics..many of his votes bother me...oh well you know what they say about "if wishes were horses, we would all ride" I spent three years living in Memphis, that whole family is something else..

[TornadoTN]

40. TN is a tough read

Its tough to call which way the tide is flowing in Tennessee sometimes, we have a very interesting demographic of people in 3 distinct sections.

Tennessean's are by nature very patriotic (Volunteer State) and take great pride in their state and their country. It makes for interesting debate, but over the past few years its gotten very murky for the GOP. I think they are scared to death they are going to lose their base here in East TN, they are dumping a ton of money for the next election here. I'm still undecided whether I may take a run for a State Rep. seat.

[Tippy]

49. Well if you do decide to run..

I would like a bumper sticker or a sign...I drive up and down I 40 everyday...Besides that it would drive Bart Gordon nuts to think I was helping anyone besides him...truth be known I am working (as in planting seeds of political ambitions) with a young man who I would like to see go up against Gordon but that is in the future.

[TornadoTN]

51. Great!

I'm a little bit to the Northeast of I-40 (Johnson City) in the 1st Congressional District. I have been contacted about running in 2006, but I am not sure I will due to career and family (my wife is expecting our first child next month). I would love to do it, but may have to wait until 2008. I'm only 25, so I have a lot of time to run. I may just manage a campaign in 2006.

[FreedomAngel82]

67. I hope you do

If you do that would be cool. :) Good luck with the little baby! I just love little babies.

[FreedomAngel82]

66. I know what you mean

I see lots of "T" stickers around on cars. I want one myself and am a huge UT fan. ;) I'm orginially from NC but TN is my home and has been for 95% of my life. We can definitley go either way. In 2000 Bush only won our state by four percent and we have a democratic governor, Mr. Bredesen who's doing pretty well (last I saw his rating was 52%). This last election it was Kerry 43% and Bush 57% so he didn't win too much. Not like other red states. Between our Congressmen it was Wamp 50% and Wolfe 30%.

[radwriter0555]

41. NO. We're witnessing the rise of the 4th Reich.

Which is far, far closer and far, far worse than anyone could imagine.

[Skittles]

42. I tell you if I saw that freaking bumpersticker

I would have kicked that woman's ass - it's just too disgusting, too outrageous, absolutely sickening.

[Lights_Out]

43. TN has always been on the fence

During our civil war, Tennessee was having internal conflict about which side to stay on. It was too far north to be considered a confederate, but there was too much agriculture to be considered part of the Union. Finally, Tennessee served to be a sort of buffer between the North and the South.

The same is true today. Frist and Bush supporters are becoming scarce in that state, but the number of republicans remain the same. Sadly, Tennessee will probably always be a red state, but may become more "moderate" in the future.

[TornadoTN]

46. Interesting

We are seeing a lot of growth in East Tennessee, with a lot of people moving from the northern states into the area. I tend to think that with this growth, Tennessee will swing more moderate in the future. I don't think that it will become a solid "blue" state, but I think it will not be labeled a "red" state either. Here's to hoping Tennessee will be a battleground state in almost every election.

[Lights_Out]

61. Here here

[FreedomAngel82]

68. I hope so!

That would be nice. I would love it if we were a battleground state where we can have canidates come more. This last election I believe Kerry only came to Nashville once maybe twice.

[caty]

44. I am from a blue state

and in April I went to Tenn. for a week. I was surprised that just about everyone I talked to was a Dem. And the few repubs I spoke to were against Bush now and wished they had never voted for him. Even the few repubs I know in my blue state express regret for voting for him. The few who try to stand up for him are "running out of gas".:toast:

[Fly by night]

45. Now if we could revitalize the Democratic Party in the Orange State ...

... instead of continuing the Republican-lite leaders who now are trying to choke the lifeblood from the growing progressive movement here. We need to reawaken the party of Al Gore (Senior and Junior) and Cordell Hull, and forget about the timid toadies who run the party now in our state.

I agree that many true Republicans across the state are disgusted with what passes for their leaders now, and they are ready for a sensible alternative. The question is: who will that be?

[TornadoTN]

47. Good question

I tend to believe that Al Gore neglected Tennessee and thought it was a given in 2000. If he would have carried his own state, we wouldn't even be having this conversation today. I can tell you, that made a lot of moderates upset (his ignoring TN).

Last election, the state rep. seats in East TN here were closely contested, with Democrats putting up a surprising showing. I think its a sign of things to come. By moving further right, the GOP is distancing themselves from more and more voters. Now they have to scramble back to secure their seats. That won't be easy, because the leadership is made up of fundamentalists who will cut their throats at the drop of a hat.

[FreedomAngel82]

69. You make good points

If the republicans tie off all together their fundies it would mean big trouble for them. They can't do it even if they want. They reaped what they sowed....

[Tippy]

48. Well one thing is for certain

they won't be voting for Democrats they will however back new candidates good or bad.

[Fly by night]

81. Why won't they be voting for Democrats? If we can make our...

... elections in Tennessee more transparent and accountable, you might be very surprised how the Orange State will vote. But with 75% of our votes now cast on non-verifiable machines, we have a lot of work ahead of us.

[rucky]

50. Are you f-ing kidding me? they are at the PEAK of their power.

we are witnessing facism. since when did public opinion have anything to do with it?

[callous taoboy]

60. And how many fascist states have fallen? n/t

[nashville_brook]

52. i agree -- and it doesn't surprise me that East TN would be revolting

no pun intended.

having spent almost 20 years in johnson city, i can tell you the mountain folk don't have much time for people talking "our their ass." East TN might be conservative, but people there have pretty strong bullshit detectors. Hillbillies were severelly taken advantage of during Vietnam, and with Mountain Home up there, there's a big vet population.

i'm seeing those SUVs in the line at Costco in Cool Springs -- 70 bucks a fill-up. If those SUVs are doing as much chauffering as their target market complains of, they must be paying the 70 bucks a few times a week. Time for the Prius to become the suburban status car.

I would love to see us kick that groveling toady, Frist, out on his tuckus. is he having to defend his seat in 2006?

[TornadoTN]

53. Great to see you!

Frist isn't running for re-election, he has "Presidential aspirations". Rumor has it that Van Hillary may run for Frist's seat when his turn comes. He doesn't stand a chance if he does; East Tennessee was the death nail to his campaign for governor.

You are spot-on about the East Tennessean's. A lot of blue-collar workers here that vote Republican because "their mom/dad voted Republican". Having said that, they know when they've been had and have no compassion for politicians that disrespect them. During 2004, Mountain Home (where a lot of Vietnam vets get treatment) was canvassed by many GOP representatives that were pandering their vote. To the vets credit, most of them were very upset at how John Kerry was slandered by the GOP. I know for a fact one veteran handed our Congressman the infamous "Purple Heart Band-Aid" picture and told him "Is this how you intend to support us?". I have never been so heartened about political matters than at the moment I heard about that.

[FreedomAngel82]

71. Oh wow on the photo

Even though I was never in the military that purple heart bandaid stunt pissed me off too. :mad: They give up a lot so we don't have to. Who was the Congressman, do you know? I thought that was the most disgusting thing. They went after Clark as well.

[TornadoTN]

76. William "Bill" Jenkins

[FreedomAngel82]

70. No he's not sadly

Frist isn't running again in 2006 so his seat is up for grabs for any of them.

[Fly by night]

82. Frist has already announced he is not running for Senate again.

[Az_lefty]

54. It's become the party of hatred and ignorance.

I'm seeing quite a bit of this and it's a dangerous combination. Your right in that the Repug party no longer has anything to do with being conservative, it has to do with being a fascist control freak.

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FreedomAngel82]

57. As a fellow East Tennesseean I'm glad to hear this!

I think you're right. If we're ever going to recruit people to the democratic party, or at least for 2006, now is the time to convience people. Show them docs if you have any and just talk to people. I don't care if they never vote democratic again, I just think 2006 is very important if we ever want justice in this country for all the wrong-doing's since 2000. I hope you're right! I also don't see quite as many W stickers as I did shortly after the election. :shrug:

[GalleryGod]

58. Do Cockroaches die easily? In a word: Nope.

O8) But I'll file the Pro Forma, "From Your Lips to God's Ears"O8)

[shadowknows69]

63. When this war is finally over

there won't be any spitting at soldiers. But I've got a significant loogie saved up for the murderous millions here at home that allowed it.

[proud patriot]

73. yes

[Lars39]

74. You know it's time to "each one teach one" in TN

when total strangers start grousing about the Republicans and their policies in grocery store lines.
I've lost track of the number of times I've been on the receiving end or overheard these types of conversations lately.

People are fed up and want to do something. They want the truth the media and Phil Valentine aren't giving them.

I've started carrying handouts of web sites and lists of books to read. :)

[demo dutch]

75. Nice to know things are looking up in TN, in FL there are still a lot

of really stupid people!

[JHB]

78. They're not just theocrats, warmongers and the corporate facists...

They're also treasonous SOBs:

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=6068

[roguevalley]

83. Here in Alaska there is DEAD SILENCE about the pugs. Even the

most fervent idiots won't talk. The letters to the editor in the statewide paper are full of anti-bush anti-pug letters. People are broiling on the inside. 2006 is going to be not only deadly important but interesting.

[B Calm]

86. Dad always said, what goes up must come down..