It Makes No Censure

On Wednesday, Julian Sanchez took note of a Republican memo warning GOP candidates not to distance themselves from the POTUS. The Republican National Committee saw that pitch and swung from the heels, releasing an internet-only ad that pits the president against black-hooded terrorists, FISA courts, and Dick Durbin.

It's a curious little ad. Most of the running time is handed over to Democrats who accuse Bush of "breaking the law" and refuse to rule out censuring or impeaching him to correct any wrongs. In the conversation between the RNC and anyone who's viewing the ad, this talk is "weakening our national security." In the world beyond GOP.com, the president's approval ratings are cruising around 35-40%. This is a nation that, when presented with the return of Sharon Stone doing what she does best, decided to watch some other movies. I'm not sure if a robust Bush comeback is in the cards. And if not, the GOP should refrain from warning voters that Democrats want to kick him where it hurts.

Comments

[Shem]

OK, OK, OK, I gotta ask, who is David Weigel?

[Jon H]

"This is a nation that, when presented with the return of Sharon Stone doing what she does best, decided to watch some other movies. I'm not sure if a robust Bush comeback is in the cards."

Well done.

[andy]

"who is David Weigel?"

One of Cavanaugh's split personalities. Comes out most often on Tuesdays, but for some reason came out today.

It's been rumoured, although not confirmed, that Tim is also Neil Boortz. There are zero known sitings of them in the same room together.

[Akira MacKenzie]

This is why I despise party politics. Only the most whacked-out, disciple of Sean Hannity can't see that Bush is an incompetent, and is paranoid enough to think that any action taken against him is a victory for terrorism.

Of course, the only victory that "disloyalty" in the GOP ranks will bring about is a Democratic one. THAT'S what the RNC is worried about. Osma and Co. are just the Goldstein of this Republican Two Minute Hate.

[Ken Shultz]

Only the most whacked-out, disciple of Sean Hannity can't see that Bush is an incompetent, and is paranoid enough to think that any action taken against him is a victory for terrorism.

To most people, the world is a really confusing place. ...and they love that story they tell themselves about how sophisticates and geniuses, if they're really honest, will eventually come around to the folksy way of thinkin'. Most people want the incompetent screw up with the folksy mannerisms to be right in the end--being right is just a game of chance when you live in a universe without rhyme or reason.

[TH]

That commercial is bizarre. The message seems to be "He broke the law, but the Democrats are crazy and dangerous for caring." They don't imply anywhere that he didn't break the law.

[Timothy]

Why would anyone under 50 want to watch Sharon Stone being ancient in a remake of a movie she did when she was much younger and much better looking?

[Ken Shultz]

Sharon Stone's age isn't necessarily to blame here. I've been glad to pay to watch films featuring much older and, what I suspect you would think of as, less attractive actresses. In fact, I don't think I've ever paid to see a film just because it featured an actress that was young and beautiful.

[Brian]

Re breaking the law - I think they're going for a Harry Filth type vibe, where Bush would throw 1000 innocent americans in Gitmo if he got one terrorist in the process. Probably still works with the GOP base.

[Akira MacKenzie]

Most people want the incompetent screw up with the folksy mannerisms to be right in the end--being right is just a game of chance when you live in a universe without rhyme or reason.

The problem is the damage that folksy, populist, god-fearin', incompotent does to our country in the meantime.

If the average, run-of-the-mill Republican/conservative cant see that; if all that matters to them is that the politicians have a "R" next to their name instead of a "D", then we are all screwed.

[Ruthless]

Not to make this about Sharon Stone, but I long thought I was a huge fan of hers.
I began having doubts when she dumped the guy with the SF Chronicle--that's a cool paper.
After having seen her desperately trying to hype this latest piece of shit movie of hers, I realize what a nitwit she is.
Her heart is in the right place, but she is as shallow as a saucer.
There's a brutal Hollywood writer who's written a book saying that. (What's his name? I couldn't believe him.)
She puts me back to
Kate Winslet
Reese Witherspoon
Sonia Braga
Ellen Degeneres (Sharon made a lesbian movie with her: "If These Walls Could Talk.")

[Karen]

I'm with Akira. If you want to see the folksy screw-up win something, elect him county commissioner. (I'm presuming the other county precints will elect commissioners with some smarts.) Running the United States requires intellect, no matter how much it galls the trailer parks.

[crimethink]

Yep, it looks like things have come full circle from 1998. Now the Democrats are the ones acting like a relatively minor violation of FISA is a threat to the rule of law, while the Republicans complain about partisan attacks against their leader. Then again, 9/11 did change everything, so...

[jf]

Ruthless:

I haven't read the book, but it sounds like you might be talking about Joe Esterhaus.

[jf]

Ugh. How how Joe Eszterhas. Google was no help finding the correct spelling for that one.

[Ruthless]

jf,
Right.
Joe.

[thoreau]

Look, all he's done is violate a law concerning the limits on his power, assert that his power is without limit, and assert that American citizens have no right to a trial if he accuses them of certain offenses.

What's the problem?

[Akira MacKenzie]

Running the United States requires intellect, no matter how much it galls the trailer parks.

...and that's the problem. The GOP has pandered its way into a corner. Right now, the Republicans can't afford to abandon the armchair militarists and the Bible-beaters who still worship Dubbya have become "the base." However, the GOP has to dump Bush and the ideology he rode in with, lest they get the trouncing they so richly deserve come November.

Damned if they do, damned if they don't. And while I have no love for the GOP, I sure as Hell don't think the Dems will govern any better.

This country needs a reset button.

[Akira MacKenzie]

EDIT: Right now, the Republicans can't afford to abandon the armchair militarists and the Bible-beaters who still worship Dubbya. They have become "the base."

[JW]

Resonable law professors have stated that congress oversteped it's powers when it created FISA. Foriegn Affairs and War are the two areas where the Supremes have said that the President's power is at its highest.

[TH]

JW,

Then they should say that he did not break the law. Instead, they are trying to say that it doesn't matter whether or not he broke the law because the opposition mainstream political party doesn't have a better plan. That doesn't make any sense at all.

[Eddie]

Could Democrats possibly be any more idiotic?

About the only thing that would get the pissed off Conservatives out to vote is the threat of impeachment.

Right on cue the dolts leading the Democrats start rumbling censure and impeachment. Thus guaranteeing their defeat in oh-6.

Watch the Republicans take this impeachment nonsense and play it to the hilt.

[Eddie]

Could Democrats possibly be any more idiotic?

About the only thing that would get the pissed off Conservatives out to vote is the threat of impeachment.

Right on cue the dolts leading the Democrats start rumbling censure and impeachment. Thus guaranteeing their defeat in oh-6.

Watch the Republicans take this impeachment nonsense and play it to the hilt.

[Eddie]

Could Democrats possibly be any more idiotic?

About the only thing that would get the pissed off Conservatives out to vote is the threat of impeachment.

Right on cue the dolts leading the Democrats start rumbling censure and impeachment. Thus guaranteeing their defeat in oh-6.

Watch the Republicans take this impeachment nonsense and play it to the hilt.

[HAL 8000sfan]

Dave,

I'm afraid George isn't afraid of Dick Durbin. Frustrated libertoids may need to get behind a Democrat with unappetizing beliefs to them. Be warned: this Democrat may not be ecstatically pro-abortion or may not have succeeded in French-kissing his/her brother/sister at a politically meaningful opportunity. The TiVo market research is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it. While you are out, please bring a can of Endust from the store.

[Eddie]

Oooops. Sorry. First time here.

[Akira MacKenzie]

This "better plan" argument is begining to vex me.

[Rant Mode ON]

You neocons and Hannity-worshipers want a "better plan" for dealing with terrorism than Dubbya's? Here's one:

1. A major reason for Islamic terrorism is their resentment toward of our military presence in their region. Therefore, we pull our troops out of the Middle East. All of it. Out of Iraq. Out of Kuwait. Out of Saudi Arabia. All of it.

2. Another reason for Muslims "hating us," is the money and support we've piled on Israel. It's time we told the Israeli's to fuck off and we don't care that their imaginary friend told them it's their "Promised Land." They're on their own, and if the Muslims overrun them... too bad, so sad.

3. I'd rather see the billions we've blown on our bloated post 9-11 military and our Orwellian "homeland security" efforts spent on building a hydrogen fuel infrastructure so we can tell the Arabs to take their oil and shove it up their ass.

There. It won't win votes from the oil companies, Zionists (both Jewish and Fundie), or the jingoists, but it's far better than anything Bush and Co. could come up with.

[Akira MacKenzie]

About the only thing that would get the pissed off Conservatives out to vote is the threat of impeachment.

I'd like to see a break down of those approval numbers. I'd like to hope that a large number of those "disapprove" votes come from Republicans and it's just the hard-core conservatards who still think Dubbya is the literal Second Coming.

If we can't sway the "base," at least that can be done is to split the party.

[R C Dean]

1. A major reason for Islamic terrorism is their resentment toward of our military presence in their region. Therefore, we pull our troops out of the Middle East. All of it. Out of Iraq. Out of Kuwait. Out of Saudi Arabia. All of it.

Pre-9/11, our only military presence (aside from a few port facilities) was the troops in Kuwait and Saudi keeping an eye on Hussein. Seeing as they were there in part to keep an avowed secularist from engaging in further aggression against Muslims, and specifically to keep him from overrunning Mecca and Medina.

I have a hard time believing that American troops in the region to keep Saddam Hussein under wraps would be the primary cause of terrorist hatred. Unless you are willing to posit a pretty solid alliance between the terrorists and Hussein, I have to believe something else is going on.

2. Another reason for Muslims "hating us," is the money and support we've piled on Israel. It's time we told the Israeli's to fuck off and we don't care that their imaginary friend told them it's their "Promised Land." They're on their own, and if the Muslims overrun them... too bad, so sad.

At least Akira is up front with his willingness to countenance mass slaughter by others, so long as his hands stay clean.

3. I'd rather see the billions we've blown on our bloated post 9-11 military and our Orwellian "homeland security" efforts spent on building a hydrogen fuel infrastructure so we can tell the Arabs to take their oil and shove it up their ass.

This is more like it, now. Although I have some reservations since hydrogen is more of a energy transport mechanism than an energy source, and a government program to re-base our economy strikes me as likely to cause more trouble than its worth.