Washington Whispers: GOP voters: like a rock

U.S. News ^ | August 9, 2006 | Paul Bedard

[new yorker 77]

Many Democrats may hate the war in Iraq and itch to dump the president, but a new GOP survey shows that Republican base voters stand ready to jam the November polls to return their team to Congress. A three-page-survey memo obtained by Washington Whispers reveals that despite reports of some dissatisfaction with the economy, the war, and President Bush, 81 percent of Republican voters are "almost certain" to vote and an additional 14 percent say they are "very likely." It goes without saying that they'll vote Republican: By a margin of 84 percent to 6 percent, they will pull the GOP toggle switch in the voting booth. And here is something you don't hear very often: 88 percent of Republicans approve of how the prez is handling his job. What's it all mean? Analysts say that GOP voters are ready to dig in and play defense against the charges Democrats are tossing at Republican candidates.

The memo also helps to define what issues work for Republican candidates. The survey--officially tilted "Base Mobilization Survey Finds and Conclusions"--divided the issues into foreign and domestic. On the foreign side, it's all terrorism and war with polling that finds GOP voters back the war, worry about Democratic attacks on the fight against terrorism, and think the Patriot Act, moves to tighten the border, and even telephone surveillance are good things. And their favorite domestic issues aren't a surprise: They are pro-tax cuts, big on cultural values, and worried that Democrats want to put too much bureaucracy in healthcare. Another nonshocker: They don't like the media's war stories, thinking that they are too negative. Some 60 percent of the GOP base expresses "extremely high dissatisfaction" with the coverage of the war.

[new yorker 77]

Abandoning Our Troops, Return of 'The Fairness Doctrine', Impeachment proceedings, Liberal Judges, Higher Taxes, Imediate Amnesty.

Just a few of the reasons GOP voters will vote in 2006.

[new yorker 77]

FYI

[mwl1]

Damn right and BTTT

[agincourt1415]

I am going to offer bags of Crushed Glass (to crawl on) for Republican Voters, LOL!

[psjones]

I haven't done any political volunteer work for over a year, but once my son goes back to school, I'll be reporting to my local republican headquarters. If Lamont is the kind of guy dems want to send to Washington, that ought to get the rest of us republicans energized to fight to keep dems from taking majority. Given last night's news about the terrorist plans, do we really want those spineless dems to be in control.

[subterfuge]

don't listen to this people. Go and vote. Every single one is important.

[yellowdoghunter]

Damn right and BTTT

Ditto....

[kesg]

This stuff is exactly what I would have expected to find. Especially the national security findings. The GOP didn't become the majority party after 9/11 by luck or accident. And nothing has really changed since then.

[subterfuge]

I'll be reporting to my local republican headquarters

I hope it doesn't get trashed this election cycle. And I hope a dem doesn't slash your tires. Press on!

[capt. norm]

In many cases the liberal media, acting as a cheerleader for the Democrats, has hardened that "rock".

It will sweeten our victory in November.

[beeler]

I don't buy it one bit. Internal Republican polling has consistently shown a lack of faith in the base. Almost every Republican I know personally has either/or re-registered as an independent or refused to donate to the party. We'll see what happens, but I hope the base will show the party just how off-track they are.

[jazusamo]

Just a few of the reasons GOP voters will vote in 2006.

Agreed...Plus Ned Lamont and his left wing cronies. His win against Lieberman was a gift to the GOP, IMO.

[Mygirlsmom]

Hubby and I were talking about this last night. I think a lot of the "squishy middle" will be joining us as well.

They might vote Dem when they "feeeeeeeel" the Dems will do good things for the country, but faced with the in-your-face anti-war nutbag-we're-gonna-bring-the-country-to-a-halt-cuz-we-hate-Bush agenda that's so vigorously on display, they'll either stay home or vote with the Pubs.

[AwesomePossum]

Wild horses could not keep me away from the voting booth come November..............

[NeoCaveman]

I'll be working hard to keep Ohio red this fall.

Sure, some of our guys aren't all they could or should be, but some of them are and a rising tide lifts all boats.

[RockinRight]

I'm working there right with you!

Go Blackwell!

[Obadiah]

...Republican base voters stand ready to jam the November polls...

YOU DARN SKIPPY!

Especially after today do you think for 1 SECOND I would leave any chance that the Demonrats get in?? I have children!

[NeoCaveman]

We are going to get Ken elected, I don't care what automated summer polling of adults says.

BTW, if you haven't already, check out my blog. See tagline.

[Theresawithanh]

We'll see, as you say. In spite of my dissatisfaction with the Republican party, I'll be doing the broken glass bit to pull the R lever. Voting third party or staying home is a sure-fire way to put the wrong party in power.

[Eagles Talon IV]

As they often seem to do, the libs are blowing their wad far to early and will be seen as both hysterical and clueless as to a solution to what they claim are the big problems facing us.

The Republicans will begin their campaign in earnest right after the 9/11 memorial observation by the president. The WOT will be front and center as THE most important plank in their campaign. In the end, all the hysteria and hand wringing by the left will only serve to reaffirm the public perception that in time of crisis they are not up to the job of national defense. They know this and that is why they are trying to turn the discussion away from terrorism towards the economy.

[Warren_Piece]

Almost every Republican I know personally has either/or re-registered as an independent or refused to donate to the party.

Do you live in an insane asylum?

[bybybill]

Most Republicans know the difference between "us and them". In reality, there aren`t many folks in our party that enjoy shooting themselves in the foot. A few, but really , only a few.

[SmithL]

I'll most certainly vote.

But then, I always do.

[griswold3]

Ditto!!

[The Sons of Liberty]

My guess is that the best democrat I know, "Give 'em Hell" Zell Miller isn't going to vote to abandon our troops, and neither will I !

See you at the polls.

[vbmoneyspender]

After seeing what is happening with a squish being in charge of Israel, it should scare the bejeezus out of conservatives at the thought of a party of squishes being in charge here.

[jazusamo]

Almost every Republican I know personally has either/or re-registered as an independent or refused to donate to the party.

You need to make new acquaintances.

[John D]

The only person with an R behind their name I would never vote for is McCrazy, but then he is not really a Republican.

[ansel12]

"In many cases the liberal media, acting as a cheerleader for the Democrats, has hardened that "rock"."

I agree, what was a powerful asset for the left is now becoming a liability, as it becomes more and more identified as "a cheerleader".

Every year more voters ponder, if their past support for democrat positions, was simply a reflection of media bias.

[beeler]

No, I live in the red-blooded, conservative, traditional values Southern heartland, and assuming you're a Yankee, y'all can't win without us.

[KC_Conspirator]

I think as the election gets closer and people get reminded of what the democrats are and stand for, they are likely to come home. I am one of those people. I am sure I will have a come to Jesus moment.

[ChadGore]

VISUALIZE 62,041,268 Bush fans.
We Vote.

[John D]

You do not know any true Republicans do you? That is a shame.

[beeler]

If "us" means conservatives, we aren't in the same camp as the Republican party.

[WhiteGuy]

Return of 'The Fairness Doctrine', - bush veto

Impeachment proceedings, - Nothing more than an election year rallying point

Liberal Judges, - Why would bush nominate liberal judges?

Higher Taxes, - bush veto

Immediate Amnesty - unfortunately bush would probably sign off on this one....

Abandoning Our Troops - No chance, the president is still commander in chief.

[tcrlaf]

We really have no choice....

When we see a Democrat now, we see a terrorist, out to destroy our way of life....

[beeler]

Absolutely, which is exactly what we have now.

[beeler]

I don't hang out with Leftists and RINOs, thanks though.

[Diddle E. Squat]

By a margin of 84 percent to 6 percent, they will pull the GOP toggle switch in the voting booth.

Another bitter pill for the small but spamming No-Nose Republican contingent here!

[Howlin]

Almost every Republican I know personally has either/or re-registered as an independent or refused to donate to the party.

Perhaps if you'd stay away from those who CALL themselves Republicans and talk to some REAL ones, you'd have a different outlook.

[beeler]

Not many. Most folks I know are conservatives.

[Howlin]

Heh!

[capt. norm]

We'll see what happens, but I hope the base will show the party just how off-track they are.

You're the first "Fair Weather Republican" I've encountered on this forum.

Let the Republicans lose to teach them a lesson.

Last time they were 'taught a lesson' we ended up with President Bill Clinton....but we got an "A" on our lesson.

Let's teach the Republican Party another lesson so we can feel all smug and superior....and liberal. You suggest the very thing that moveon.org and DailyKos are advocating for their party.

[Disambiguator]

We all need to vote R even if it requires clothespins on our noses. There is also the fraud factor to consider, which can only be overcome by a large margin of victory.

[Howlin]

Not many. Most folks I know are conservatives.

I'm betting they are unappeasable fringers who intend to put their myopic view of the world in front of the good of the country.

[GunnyHartman]

Even though it means more numerous call-ups for jury duty, I shall be there trying to salvage the Burns Campaign here in Montana.

[beeler]

That's the deal... Most conservatives no longer call themselves Republicans. I'm a REAL conservative, and the Republican party has left people like me behind.

[Eagles Talon IV]

You don't buy it and you cite as a reason "almost every Republican I know"? Just how many would that be? One hundred, 50, 25, 250? I know many Republicans as well and have seen none of what you claim to have seen. And would internal Republican polling be more or less likely to properly reflect the loyalty of Republicans to the Party then the liberal media?

Finally, to stay home on election day in order to "send a message" to the Party, when the result of that ploy could easily be the end to our culture as we know it seems the very height of insanity. If you believe it makes no difference who controls this nations foreign policy and think that the libs idea of "engaging" ad nauseum our enemies will save us then I am fearful, very, very fearful of what lies ahead.

[John D]

Then I guess you do not know many Republicans who have re-registered.

[beeler]

You're right, and the class of '94 was one of the most conservative Republican congresses, because of Clinton. I just hope this time, we don't immediately forget the lessons we have learned.