GOP's Bad Year
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- no-spin-zone
By Simon Rosenberg
Their strong and resolute leader gets no bounce from his State of the Union, and has now dropped below levels no one thought possible. News in recent days show that the many parallel criminal investigations into GOP leaders are gaining additional momentum, and will likely become a very big problem later this year. Their domestic policy advisor, the quarterback for any major new domestic initiative, resigns suddenly a few days after the State of the Union indicating deeper troubles inside the White House than is commonly understood. Bush's budget is declared dead on arrival by even Republican analysts.
The Medicare prescription drug rollout has been a disaster, with millions of seniors not getting their medicines. Millions who do have the benefit will be hitting the infamous "doughnut hole" for the first time in the months right before the election. Energy costs are more likely to rise than fall this year. Health care costs will continue to rise, further squeezing workers and corporations. The Republicans are deeply divided on the volatile immigration issue, and so far have allowed loony demagogues to define their position. Corporate pension troubles will mount. Economic forecasts predict that national economy will slow later this year.
Bad you say, but what about their ability to exploit their advantages on security issues to help turn the table on Democrats? But what can they point to here? The 9/11 Commission giving their efforts on homeland security Ds and Fs? The rise of terrorism across the world? The incredible failures of the Department of Homeland Security on Katrina? The rise of anti-Americanism throughout Latin America?
Iraq? Just in recent days the Administration lost another one in Iraq, with our candidate for Prime Minister losing to a more religious candidate. The CIA analyst in charge of the intelligence leading up to the War says the Administration went too far, essentially manufacturing their case for war. More photos from Abu Grahib surface and get worldwide coverage. In the Plame affair, Libby fingers Cheney as having ordered the leaks, raising the possibility that both Rove and Cheney could be indicted. Even if Bush pulls out troops this year it is hard to see how Iraq possibly becomes an asset for them this year.
A safer Middle East? Religious zealots dedicated to the destruction of Israel have now gained power in Iran and Palestine. Al Qaeda operatives convicted for the bombing an American warship in Yemen "escape" from prison, and now on the loose. Things seem to be getting much worse there, not better.
Domestic warrantless spying? The President has spent perhaps more days this year on this issue than any other. And for what? Is something they really believe will be a big winner this fall? Their Congressional leaders have it made it clear that this program cannot continue without judicial oversight. The White House belief that this is a winner just shows how little they have to work with.
And finally, Cheney. Always a public opinion anchor, he has become an ever bigger liability for the President.
- todelete__20
I don't follow you.
Bullet points please.
- Rand0
bullet points:
bush = worst president in history
- mrdobolina0
//haha
- no-spin-zone0
It is a good article, you should really read it.
- todelete__20
bullet points:
bush = worst president in history
Rand
(Feb 20 06, 13:43)see, THAT is how you speak to people. got it rand!
- Rand0
always glad to be of service
- todelete__20
no-spin-cycle, i did read it my friend. not really anything new from what i havne't gotten over the past few months/years from cnn and bbc, but it was nice that it was all in one article.
keep in mind though, it sucks reading such long bodies of text in such a small area on this site. a link would have been better.
- no-spin-zone0
No problem, glad you read it. Not all people know that these things are going on in their name.
- pavlovs_dog0
i don't think the nascar watching, olive garden eating, walmart shopping, ameican idol listening masses care?
U.S. produces 50,000 engineers anually, China/Japan produces 500,000 engineers anually...
We have an 813 billion trade deficit .
our status as greatest nation on eath by defalut looks set to expire?
- todelete__20
Yeah I read it. Took me fucking forever though. I had to stop a few times and look up some words. "A", "and", "he" "budget"... wtf... some rocket scientist from NASA right that?!
- todelete__20
But, Pavlogs_dog, I wonder how many mail order brides they produce each year. Millions I'm sure.
China is stealing all the fuckin awesome bro.
- mrdobolina0
clown.
- pavlovs_dog0
i thought eastern europe has the market cornered on mail order bides? ...that's where i got mine?
- Mimio0
China produces far more physicians too, but I wouldn't want one working on me.
- Rand0
I don't much care for american ones either
- todelete__20
Actually, both of my new nephews are goign to be learning Chineese as a second language, so, people are catching on. Actually, a couple of my younger cousins are learning it too.
Makes me wish I had taken that rather than Piglatin when I was in college. :(
- Rand0
at least you have a second language, lucky
- todelete__20
Oops... sorry guys. We can't have any more fun around here. Captain Serious has entered the Lair of Justice.
- kyl30
bush is supposed to be around here tomorrow at the renewable energy lab. Sounds like an act of desparation.
Any messages if I see him on the street or at a cafe?
- mrdobolina0
You are constantly trying to make people laugh, not unlike a clown.