"The next election will be about one thing: Anger"

[absyntheNsugar]

Do you agree with this statement?

The more I think about it...the more this seems to be the case, on both sides...

[terrya]

1. I sure agree.

The American people should be spurred to anger. To see what's happening to this country under this administration.

[kentuck]

2. anger begats apathy....

I think.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

3. No way

The next election will be about the economy and the war. "Anger" won't cut it - Americans like optimism and some self-delusion. No one is going to win a federal election on Bush's bad record, especially not with the corporate media covering up his every screw-up and crime.

[HFishbine]

4. More like rage

Rage against anger.

[mlawson]

5. Only among the political voters.

Th 20% or so in the middle will still, IMO, vote along personal lines. The 'beer buddy' test. Which one do they LIKE more?? Which one dresses better? Looks more 'presidential'?? Etc etc....

[absyntheNsugar]

6. I didn't necesarrily mean that only lefties would be angry...

Lefties angry at Bush
Repubs angry about terrorism
The Aware angry about LIHOP, Diebold and the failure to catch Osama
The Christians Angry about what they think is persecution
The Democrats still angry about Bush stealing the 2000 election

There is a lot of anger to go around...help youself to a heaping bowl of it!

[many a good man]

7. How about truth? The truth makes ME angry.

If anybody's not angry its because they don't know the truth. The campaign should be about the truth. Anger will backfire unless you can show people its justified.

Come general election time our candidate should come across calm and reasoned. Admit softly yes, we're angry. Roll out the litany of experts and statistics that show what's happening and how we've been lied to.

Use every abomination as a counterpoint to how we would govern. Have a plan as well as a sound bite. *'s only plans are: cut taxes on the rich, deregulate everything, start wars. Our plan is fiscal responsibility, clean environment, corporate responsibility, multilateralism, bill of rights.

You have to remind people how odious the present administration really is. Many Republicans will stay home because they aren't too keen on Iraq, the tax cuts, and the Patriot Act. Remind Dems why they HAVE to get to the polls. Turnout will be key.

I don't see where THEY are angry, outside of freeperville. Libertarian and fiscal conservative and patriotic Republicans SHOULD be angry at Bush, too.

[JailBush]

8. I sure hope so.

I'm sick of being caught between Republican wolves on the right and bleeding heart liberals and peace pussies on the left. I welcome a tidal wave of anger, so long as it's backed up with some intelligence.

[Obamarama]

9. Did you read Ellen Goodman's column last week?

"It's not just that the most committed Democrats in the primaries are the most angry. After all, there's much to be angry about and no one should have to smile through bad news like a TV anchor reporting disaster as if it were a pep rally.

Nor is it just the passionate anti-Bush sentiment that has turned this Democratic primary season from a debate about who should be president to a debate about who can beat the president. It's something deeper, maybe even darker."

Read the rest of Ellen's column here:http://search.boston.com/dailyglobe2/327/oped/In_search_of_the_happy_warrior+.shtml

[EvilJam]

10. i've been 'angry' since summer

of 2000 - when it became clear that Algore was sleepwalking thru the Election,
thinking the thing was a slam dunk.
and, angrier still when the Selection came down to Brother Jeb.
the Dem and "Liberal" voters SHOULD be angry!
those votes Should be a lock!
we just need to find another 11% or 12% to win the thing.
but, so do they.

[Ilsa]

11. Yep. A very liberal friend

from the Vietnam era has been getting over me about what he perceives is my level of anger and disgust. I guess he thinks I'm wasting my energy on things I can't control. My reply was that my anger fuels my activism to change for the better. He is very concerned about a backlash over the "Bush Bashers".