Posted by
Darvin Dowdy on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 2:32:41 AM
11/8/06, 12:01am
The blame must rest squarely on the shoulders of President Bush as head of the Republican Party. But those formulating GOP strategy also deserve severe criticism. We can't blame the Dem's. They probed, found a weakness and exploited it to the max. They're masters at that. Maybe not masters but they are willing to do it. Our side feels they're too good for these tactics but instead opts for the higher ground of "the new tone". Marquis of Queensbury rules. Which is no high ground at all. We deceive ourselves. Our opponents fight dirty. But do we have an effective strategy against them? We have what I call a "quarter strategy". Twenty-five percent. Like a V-8 engine firing on 2 cylinders. Its allowed very minimal victories over the last dozen years (when decisive victories were within our reach). Nail biters. Extreme stress for republican voters/supporters. To the extent that many are washed out zombies that have simply had to turn away. This is one category of GOP voters that did not show up at the poles today. Because our strategy was not a strategy to "win" but one of "trying not to lose".
Another category of GOP voters that did not show up today are those that have been insulted. Directly insulted by President Bush. To the extreme. His continued neglect and lack of concern over the severe problem of illegal immigration. A huge blunder by the President was to insinuate or imply that the Minutemen were vigilantes. A huge blunder! This comment and the continued use of the phrase (regarding illegals) "they're all just good people coming up here trying to feed their families" was like throwing gasoline on a fire. His vow that we "would not militarize the southern border" when we all know that is exactly what is needed. Also, his comments just a few months before the election kicking off Hispanic Heritage month when he "celebrated" the recent street demonstrations by illegals waving Mexican flags. As if it were a good and positive event! This simply infuriated his once solid base of supporters. Exasperated them.
Lets look at this "once solid base". These are the folks that were on fire for "W" during the 2000/2004 elections. Remember when the Bush Campaign boasted of their small dollar contributors? Those that gave $50. and less? Individual donors gave huge amounts to the Bush Campaign in 00 and 04. This was the Presidents solid/dense base. They had a right to boast. It was a beautiful thing. I liken it to a large titanium ball. Solid. Dense. And Magnetic! It attracted fence sitters and other undecided's. Pulled them in. That once solid base is now very porous and brittle. Why? Because they have been ignored and insulted by the President. You just do not treat your most loyal supporters with that kind of disrespect. Its political suicide!
The irony is that I don't believe the President is even aware of what he has done to his base. I believe he is not getting the best advice. And I believe that those limp wristed wimps in his periphery are too timid to get nose to nose with him.
So whats next. Well 2008 is just around the corner. The GOP must confront its shortfalls head on and begin to construct a "full" strategy. Someone other than a democrat needs to confront the President. One of our own. If he can't be turned from this wrong headed stance regarding the southern border then he must be viewed as the opposition. That is if we care about 2008. Because republican voters will start contemplating that if the President is so wrong headed about the illegal issue maybe he could be wrong about the war, too. And how would they come to that conclusion? Look at the Taliban funeral debacle where we had an opportunity to take out almost 200 terrorists with one of our drones. But some PC general nixed it. Nothing was ever done. Not a word from our President. What I'm saying here is the whole process could (and probably will) come unraveled for the President. I think a good first step, at this time, would be to get that 700 mile fence funded asap. And it wouldn't hurt to apologize to the Minutemen.
Let me make a few things clear. I'm not a member of the Minutemen org but I admire what they do and they are not vigilantes. Secondly, I waited until 11/8 to begin my criticism of the President. And 3rd, I did cast a vote this election - straight Republican ticket. It was not pleasant but I did my duty. But I know many that just Stayed at Home. We have 2 years to get them enthusiastic again. Lets get to work. DD