[dead]

While polling has not yet recorded a dramatic turn in public opinion against President Bush or the GOP,

Solid fact.

events of the past few weeks have substantially increased the likelihood that the 2002 midterm elections will resemble other midterms, when the president's party is on the defensive and suffers losses.

Blatent speculation posing as "news."

[churchillbuff]

Blatent speculation ..."

The writer admits it's speculation - - - but a hunch based on experience and common sense. Do you REALLY think a stock market crash (which is the only way to describe the 20 percent - or more drop this year) isn't gonna affect a lot of people's outlooks. I, for one, was a big Bush backer - and will vote for him again if he's the GOP standard bearer in 04 - - but I'm disgusted at his paltry and slow-motion tax cuts, and his wimpiness on a hundred other issues.

[churchillbuff]

The following analyis by Rothenberg is offered as speculation, but it's a very reasonable speculation: "The risk for the Republicans is that some voters, even if they don't hold the president primarily responsible for their stock losses or for corporate fraud and mismanagement, will grow angry, frustrated or merely impatient with the negative news. If they do, they might decide to send a message of change to the president by voting against his party's candidates in November.

"Even if GOP voters remain loyal to the president, all of the bad news could depress Republican turnout. And that could be enough to turn a neutral political election into a good Democratic year"

[churchillbuff]

"With accounting and business questions spooking Wall Street - and without a strong, highly regarded secretary of the Treasury (such as Robert Rubin) to calm investors and speak effectively for the administration - Bush has no easy answer to his developing political problems."

Do you really think this paragraph is Demo spin? Do you really believe that O'Neill is a substantial figure in any sense, or that any other Bush economic advisor commands attention or a calming influence on the nation? If so, you must be smoking greenbacks.

[RightWhale]

Blatent speculation posing as "news."

At the precinct meeting yesterday turnout was light. So light that if I wished I could be a Republican bigwig today. I'd say there is a lack of enthusiasm. Maybe it's the same with other parties excepting the Greens, because Greens are a fun party even if they don't remember their precinct meeting any better than they remember the 60s.