Listening to Rush and Hannity is like being on a Second Life isle designed by freepers full of Jägermeister. In this brave, old, cast iron utopia, Bush is heroic, eloquent, capable, brave, clean and reverent. As God smiles down on The Shining City Upon The Hill, we're winning the war; the check's in the mail; and anyone who disagrees must leave the island.
We've opined that the blatant fantasy of this Bush loyalism has turned off talk radio listeners because of its sheer incredulity- even to the conservaive bretheran. But a serious new study buttresses our theory that talk radio's troubles are, in part, because conservatism is being rejected.
The respectable, nonpartisan Pew Research Center for the People & the Press released their survey that has detected a "dramatic shift" in political tectonics. Go here for a download.
Republicans should be worried if, that is, they forsake their studied myopia and advanced state of denial, and actually read it.
Party identification is now 50% Dems to 35% GOP.
And what's worse, the numbers show deeper trends than those attributed to the unpopular Bush and his unpopular war.
Pew director Andrew Kohut told the LA Times, "There is a difference in the landscape."
The large sampling surveyed over the 10 years, shows a rejection by Americans of the major trends that fueled the 1990's Republican resurgence leading to their takeover of congress, eight years of George W. Bush- and the heyday of conservative talk radio.
Conservative gadfly Andrew Sullivan, who has long eschewed the cover-my-ears la-la-la denial so stylish among conservatives, writes: "It's a devastating indictment of the Bush-Rove strategy for conservatism and the Republican party. They may have created the most loyally Democratic generation since the New Deal with the under 25s.
There's more:
~ We're still as religious as ever, in belief and practice, but religious "intensity" has waned. Younger people are the most secular of any generation.
~ there are increases in public support for government social safety net; and more concern about income inequality.
~ Acceptance of gays is increasing. In ten years, opposition to gay marriage has dropped ten points and support has risen ten points.
~ Concern for "Old fashioned values about family & marriage" have decreased by 8% in a decade.
~ Women's equality is "overwhelmingly popular" among all groups including Republicans, and especially in the young.
~ Support for affirmative action has increased 12% in 10 year- and all of it among whites.
~ "Young people continue to hold a more favorable view of government than do other Americans. At the same time, young adults express the least interest in voting and other forms of political participation," according to the report's summary.
~ Support for a strong, proactive military--has weakened. In 2002, 62% said that the best way to ensure peace is through military strength. Now, only 49% believe that. Bush's performance has fed that fire despite it's his signature issue and all Rovian efforts to demogogue it.
Democrats' growing party identification advantage despite its overall public standing is no better than it was when President Bush was inaugurated in 2001. Instead, the report says,
"... it is the Republican Party that's rapidly lost public support, particularly among political independents."
Faced with an unpopular president who is waging an increasingly unpopular war, the proportion of Americans who hold a favorable view of the Republican Party stands at 41%, down 15 points since January 2001. But during that same period, the proportion expressing a positive view of Democrats has declined by six points, to 54%."
What happened to the Rovian dreams of a "permanent majority?" The survey doesn't attempt to answer that, but we'll happily leap into that breach.
The Republicans overstepped: they grabbed presidential power, shut down congressional oversight; were steeped in secrecy and threw up stone walls even when it didn't matter.
They breached the wall of church and state. That's a barrier that exists more in the hearts of Americans than it does in statute; and the Bushie's miscalculation that religious Americans want their values legislated was a grave misstep.
But it all started to crumble with the "values voters," when- after all the jingoistic moralizing, the pandering to the Christianists, and paternalistic preachments- the black stains of their corruption began to spread like mold in Miami.
President Bush, until after the elections last year (and hardly ever since) never acknowledged the failures or made a single change that he wasn't wrassled to the ground to make.
(Arrogance and incompetence is a losing combination. You can be arrogant when you're winning, and Americans will love you. If you lose and you're humble, we'll cut you a break. But fuck-up and act like a Bourbon king? you're outa here).
Democrats best not start measuring the drapes just yet. "This is the beginning of a Democratic opportunity," Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. told the LA Times, "The question is whether we blow it or not."
With the natural leanings of the 18-25 year olds reported here, Job One for the Democrats: get out the vote!
thank God...maybe the nightmare is over at last...
Posted by: sparky | March 24, 2007 at 07:40 PM
Well, I'd still like to see the Democrats represent the left again. They've cloven to the center far too long . . .
Posted by: joanie | March 24, 2007 at 08:33 PM
Great Editorial from WA Post.
Is this what a Speaker Pelosi gets you ?
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 24, 2007 at 09:45 PM
Our side seems to be winning, the closer to victory, the more extreme the right-wing nut cases become, ya know? I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking.
Posted by: coiler | March 24, 2007 at 09:53 PM
"Our side seems to be winning, the closer to victory, the more extreme the right-wing nut cases become, ya know? I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking."
Really, you think that when the WA Post Editorial not exactly a right wing whack job outfit- takes you to task that your doing well? How do you think this will play in Peoria?
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 24, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Puts, the $500 million for wildfire prevention is to offset the carbon a wildfire releases into the atmosphere.
Posted by: Steve | March 24, 2007 at 10:04 PM
Steve
Now it becomes clear. Money well spent, no doubt :)
Praise the Lord and pass the bovine gass. This Carbon Offset dealie is gonna save us all.
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 24, 2007 at 10:08 PM
The alternative to the so-called evil Republicans in power are the European wannabe Democrats and kick common sense to the curb. However, blissful ignorance of that important fact seems to be vogue among a majority of Seattleites. Republicans are not really evil - they are mainly ineffectual (known as the stupid party), while the Dems are known as the sneaky party - honorable ? NOT.
I'd feel better if the libertarians or a viable third party took control, because the two major parties are not cutting it with most sensible Americans, IMHO.
Posted by: KS | March 24, 2007 at 10:30 PM
The carbon offset and carbon taxes will be the key to control of people as it serves the agenda of the global warming hysterics and the environmental wingnuts.
Posted by: KS | March 24, 2007 at 10:43 PM
This Carbon Offset dealie is gonna save us all.
That the result of your research, Putsie?
Hmm.
Posted by: joanie | March 24, 2007 at 10:53 PM
It's like the Casino owners (Gore) telling the addicted Gamblers (Global Warming believers) to keep playing because they might win the big one. All along raking in the cash from the poor fools who trusted them.
Posted by: Steve | March 24, 2007 at 11:06 PM
LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA -LA-LA-LA-LA- LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LALA-LA-LA-LA LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LALA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LALA-LA-LA-LA LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA!!!
Posted by: misty | March 24, 2007 at 11:53 PM
You're off key, misty.
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Misty, get your head out of the sand, we can't understand you.
Posted by: Steve | March 25, 2007 at 07:29 AM
There is a very inspiring interview with Eliszabeth Edwards in the NYTimes today..I would link it, but I think you have to register to read it and I know some people dont like to do that....
Registering is not the same as signing up for the $50 all-access fee.
Posted by: sparky | March 25, 2007 at 08:06 AM
Indeed inspiring and uplifting I would say. We just experienced a dear friend go thru this and she too came up with the most amazing strength in a time of such uncertainty. I'm not a great supporter of Mr Edwards but I think I might be of Mrs Edwards if the roles were reversed.
I know it shouldn't matter but to me it's time for a woman President; someone who will look at issues in a totally different light and someone who will 'listen' instead of 'preach'.
Presently I believe that person to be Mrs Clinton.
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 08:36 AM
misty: thanks for your chant of 'Liberalism Again' (albeit in acronym form)...I certainly agree [to a degree].
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 08:42 AM
I think you're on to something there, Duff. A woman might be good for this country. Of course, Thatcher was Reagan in women's clothing so who really knows.
I think it's time for a black man . . . by the name of Obama.
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Hey, you guys. I just got my 2005 taxes done! Now, it's time to start on my 2006 taxes!
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Obama: will be just fine in the 'heartbeat away' position, for now
Taxes: ..and I fear that soon you (we) will be filing our 'global' tax return as dictated possibly by the UN and eased into place by the likes of A.G.
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 09:09 AM
Hmm . . . if so, it won't be your A.G. but the other one, Alberto you-know-who . . . the one who trashes Constitutions and plays by Bush-league rules.
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Yeah, 'my' A.G. indeed (not in this life time). Mr Gore, I believe, is heading us down the path to a global 'climate change' tax. This will be the way to get China (and everyone else) on board (i.e. at least they will need to pay their share..while not necessarily effecting any sort of conservation plan). 'Alberto' will be long forgotten by then. I can see this being administered by the omni-powerless United Nations.
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Well, your AG is on CSpan right now in a repeat of Wednesday's testimony to Congress . . . he sure sounds smart, Duff. Next to him, Bush sounds downright Pre-K.
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Ph(J)oanie sez:
"This Carbon Offset dealie is gonna save us all.
That the result of your research, Putsie?
Hmm."
Hey Ph(J)oanie, I'll tell you what is the result of my 'research' and that is if you don't believe that the carbon offset 'dealie' is subject to serious questions of fraud and abuse then your very naive.
In regards to Thatcher, we were very lucky to have a strong ally such as her during the 80's. A great book on the three P's role in breaking down communishm: the Pope, Pres Reagan, and Prime Minister Thatcher.
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 25, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Are you a stalker, Putsie?
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Do not confuse Bush's incompetence with the Publican's real threat.
What are the REAL threats of the right wing in the uSA?
1. Classism: Reward the rich, build a world economy, export jobs whilem retaining capital.
Classism is NOT limited to the Publican party. Just try revising the tax code to balance wealth with income. Can anybody spell death tax or WA state income tax?
2. Education: The USA is the ONLY major state that makes education expensive. Not only that, we also have developed a unionized teacher core that insists on dumbed down curriculum ... exept in the special schools for the upper classes.
3. Health Care: We spend twice as much for our health care and get no better results overall for the population (classism again). We can not fix this without fixing the classist tax system.
4. Immigration: Errr ahhh .. who is the "liberal" here??? Bush, Kennedy, and McCain or ??? What is liebral anyway? Bringing in a large corps of slave labor? Compensating for our fucked up education system by brian draining India???
5. Gay "Marriage" I have no idea what Bushie believes really, but I do know that most Americans want equal rights for sig. others but NOT doing away with the term marriage. Are Democrats as tied up in jargon as Publicans?
5. Affirmative Action: Has anybody notices that the average skin tone in the Bush White HOuse is rather err ahhh dark? Clarence Thomas SHOULD have taught all Americans a lesson ... skin color is a lousy measure not only of competence but of ethnic identity. Is the Democratic party ready to divest itself of Farrakhan and Sharpton?
Posted by: SeattleJew | March 25, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Ph(J)oanie sez:
"Hey, you guys. I just got my 2005 taxes done! Now, it's time to start on my 2006 taxes!"
Shades of last year. But I'm sure Uncle Sugar enjoys the nice interest free loan you gave him for 2005 :) . Which probably explains your firm grasp on economics. A little less time with Dr. Howard Dean and a little more time with Dr. Milton Friedman would do you a world of wonder.
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 25, 2007 at 10:07 AM
McKay and Iglesias are on Meet the Press right now.
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 10:08 AM
McKay and Iglesias are on Meet the Press right now.
putsie . . . liberals aren't sitting home at night counting their silver. That's a Publican thing.
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 10:11 AM
SeattleJew sez:
"5. Gay "Marriage" I have no idea what Bushie believes really, but I do know that most Americans want equal rights for sig. others but NOT doing away with the term marriage. Are Democrats as tied up in jargon as Publicans?
5. Affirmative Action: Has anybody notices that the average skin tone in the Bush White HOuse is rather err ahhh dark? Clarence Thomas SHOULD have taught all Americans a lesson ... skin color is a lousy measure not only of competence but of ethnic identity. Is the Democratic party ready to divest itself of Farrakhan and Sharpton?"
What's so wrong with allowing adult Gays to marry consensually? It's not a threat to marriage. It's in societies best term interest to encourage long term relationships and by shutting out ten percent of our population from same it is to our shame/detriment. Gay people are not a threat to the fabric of our socciety. Believe it or not, you probably work/related to some without even knowing it. People you like and respect.
In regards to skin color being the definition of 'diversity' I have to agree. Diversity means a lot of things and should include viewpoints, religion, gender, etc. Race should not be the be-all/end-all.
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 25, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Ph()oane sez:
"putsie . . . liberals aren't sitting home at night counting their silver. That's a Publican thing."
Well Ph(J)oanie, why don't you put your money where your mouth is. If you have sooooo much silver, instead of letting it waste away with Uncle Sugar why don't you get it back and then donate it to a worthy cause.
Posted by: Pugetsound | March 25, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Hey Joanie...have you dumbed down your curriculum for next week? I have!
Posted by: sparky | March 25, 2007 at 10:29 AM
"Our long national nightmare" will soon be over. maybe.
Posted by: Tommy008 | March 25, 2007 at 10:49 AM
This administration is in shambles. I'm afraid Alberto Gonzales will have to resign for allowing himself to be used by Pres Bush (thru: Karl Rove)..too bad. As PEW indicates herein the conservative approach (as regards politics) is history for now. Conversion to Democrat/Liberal values will prevail UNLESS it self-destructs.
One of my worries of this study tho is the apparent apathy that the younger generation apparently has for a strong military? This could be scary. If we ever put ourselves in a position where we rely mostly on the protection of the 'powerless' U.N. - God Help Us!
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Joannie ..
There is nothing wrong with same sex relationships, brother sister relationships, plural relationships, etc.
Personally I favor a NOK (next of kin law) that would require each of us to have a next of kin or accept the person designated by the state. In one fell swoop, a NOK law can address most or all of the legal issues including the difference between plural marriage and coupling.
Moreover, variations in NOK laws in Europe are replacing marriage, a majority appear to prefer to be NOKed to being Wed.
BUT, doing away with the idea that male-female pairing is socially and biologically different form any other combination is insulting to thoise who believe that male-feamle pairing IS unique. Why insult so many people when there are well trod alternative answers?
The bigger and harder problem, IMO, is societal. Even with a NOK law or outlawing the word ?marriage" a large part of our population is very prejudiced against same sex couples. We can not chnage that by law alone.
Posted by: SeattleJew | March 25, 2007 at 11:02 AM
C'mon Duff . . . you know boys and girls will answer the call if they are really needed. Thank god some of them can tell the difference.
Talk about dumbed down . . .
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Tommy0008
WADR, Bush and Rove ain't alone. There are several bad guys involved in the Bush Crime Family. Gonzales seems to be a consigliore.
The danger is that these vipers have almost 2 years to do a lot of damage,
Posted by: SeattleJew | March 25, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Well, he's not a very good one. You listen to Malloy too. :)
Posted by: joanie | March 25, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Agreed SJ..they are not alone, but I think Mr Rove is 'key'. His rear end needs to be called up before a Congressional committee and HE needs to be asked some 'serious' questions - 'under oath'. Pres Bush surrounded himself irresponsibly to the nth degree.
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Another Republican koolaid moron is calling into Turi Ryder, attempting to spew the "Janet Reno fired all the U.S. Attorneys cover my ears/ la la la la crapola, and Ryder just cleaned his clock explaining the difference between those firings and what Bush/Gonzales did to the judgegate 8. Pathetic little Bushbot koolaiders repeating the same thing over and over like automatons.
Posted by: Tommy008 | March 25, 2007 at 12:03 PM
joanie says:
"C'mon Duff . . . you know boys and girls will answer the call if they are really needed"
God I hope so joanie, as I said..I would hate to basically have to depend on the 'powerless' United Nations to defend us against ANYthing. [I also think that UN headquarters s/be moved to France..but that's another topic for another day..]
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Oh now Duff, why are so down on the UN? Look at all their spectacular successes.
The state of Israel…um that’s still a mess
The Isle of Cyprus…Oh snap! Still got bullets flying (Bushler did it!)
The Balkans….Quite now, but ya know the threat of force never works
Rwanda……..I knew the UN should have banned machetes
Oil for food…. Who said the Iraqis would get the food? Kofi pass the caviar, please.
Posted by: Recife | March 25, 2007 at 12:48 PM
I can't wait for the indictments to begin, this is just like 1974 again, ya know?
Posted by: Pig Vomit | March 25, 2007 at 12:54 PM
..can someone explain why the term 'global warming' has been morphed into 'climate change' in the reporting media (& also in the administration)? I guess if you're not sure, you provide for both possibilities..warming and/or ice age, eh?
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 12:56 PM
PV: Unfortunately (or rather 'fortunately') there isn't enough time left for indictments. And Ms Pelosi (even tho recently showing some) doesn't have the 'desire' or agressiveness to pursue. If subpoenas are issued (for instance) in the 'ProsecutorGate' issue - by the time it goes thru the Court process current Admin w/be history and this will me moot.
We're between a rock (or Iraq) and hard place...so to speak.
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 01:02 PM
Again Bla'M fam, does this sound like a progressive voice to you?
> Duff uses Drudgereport & Serbian Holocaust apologist as sources against Al Gore and Scott Ritter
> Duff uses the terms "Bandwagon" and "Standard Bearer", and then claims not to be a
National SocialistGOP ratfucker.> NOW Duff espouses - again, unsourced (surprise surprise) - this hair-brained black-helicopter Freeper UN conspiracy theory:
Taxes: ..and I fear that soon you (we) will be filing our 'global' tax return as dictated possibly by the UN and eased into place by the likes of A.G.
You be the judge.
And again Duff, we've gone over you're more-than-thoroughly sourced spanking here. If you are a true masochist, you'll bark up that tree again.
Posted by: mercifurious | March 25, 2007 at 01:35 PM
Gee, I guess there's just no fooling you and your comrades on this issue; after all it's such a settled issue isn't it. When the best scientists on the face of the earth can't agree - I think you owe it to society to prove those so called minority authorities wrong. It matters not if you prove me wrong now does it...except for your ego. You'll never convince me so you'd be better off taking your show on the road and convincing others.
And you know what...I don't think your (& others) use of bad words helps your case. So, lets just assume you've convinced everyone herein of your 'being right' or 'having won'...what does that matter in the relative importance of things?
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 01:47 PM
btw Merci: would you be in favor of such a global tax?
Posted by: Duffman | March 25, 2007 at 01:52 PM
"our side seems to be winning"
Hooray for our side poitics is a childs game.
Posted by: holodeck | March 25, 2007 at 02:07 PM
We need to exterminate the Republicans. The sooner the better. We start at Izzy's house, okay?
Posted by: MF | March 25, 2007 at 02:12 PM