In the long run, Schiavo could get spun to Republican's advantage-Ridgeway

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0513,mondo1,62491,6.html


A Plug for the GOP
In the long run, Schiavo case could get spun to Republicans' advantage
by James Ridgeway
March 29th, 2005 11:42 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C. It's beginning to dawn on gloating Democrats who hoped the GOP had gone too far in the Terri Schiavo case that the spectacle may turn out to be a plus, not a minus for conservatives in the larger ongoing values debate.

(snip)

Admittedly, Monday's Wall Street Journal savaging of Tom DeLay was a bit off-putting. The Journal said of the Christian right's point man on Schiavo: "He smells just like the Beltway itself," and warned he is betraying the "principles that brought him into office, and which, if he continues as before, sooner or later will sweep him out." Shit happens.

Did the GOP overreach in the Schiavo case? Just as soon as the Supreme Court denied Schiavo a hearing, the Republicans shifted to a new spin. "It was not a partisan issue. It was one of conscience," said Virginia Republican Eric Canter, the deputy chief whip in the House. "People will remember that the majority attempted to address a very difficult situation and did it with a real seriousness of purpose."

Schiavo has given conservative Republicans a way to raise other, wider issues: For example, what happens when the graying baby boomers hit 85? When these people get very ill, do they, as some have put it, "have a duty to die"? And, despite the advances in costly medical technology that extends longevity, will their duty to die become an even more harsh reality because Congress has refused to fix the Social Security and Medicare mess?

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In Texas. And we better hang it right around his neck.

this piece. The GOP is NOT going to give up, they figure all these "talks" have people now accepting that there is a problem. Then comes the next stage. Some interesting poll numbers on how many people think there is a problem and how many think reform should be passed.

BEWARE!

and any sane plan will be looked at as such. No sane plan has been presented. Hell, no PLAN has been presented.

They're not denying that SS needs to be fixed, but you don't fix the sink by tearing out the house.

coupled with misdirection to cover for an incredibly stupid and opportunistic political scheme that has backfired worse than a horse full of beans.

I don't see the Republicans losing from it.

- and have always thought that having a "party opinion" on this case to be very dangerous.

Does it mean that we "win" when Terri finally dies? A pretty sad way to "win" IMO and one that I think will come back to haunt us.

involved.

nt

What utter bullshit! I'm sick of this contrarian stance. This is no different than the writing style, editorial and reporting, of the Washington Post:puke:on the Post.

Lets see 82% oppose the republicans on this one. That's great, they're down so far, it must seem like up.

Nonsense.

I thought they had a bit of a taint from being under Rupert Murdock for a while.

I actually think that they have at least damaged themselves with the right to lifers. I don't know if they will forget.

I don't know if they can spin out of this one.

it was originally, back in the stone age of my youth....

intrusion on states right, on the judiciary, and on the U.S. Constitution. And those folks are gone for good. However, they're only switching to indy, for now. Dems are going to have to pull them all the way over, actively not passively and on a different issue most likely.

and this mesasge has to be told and repeated over and over again

Plenty of Democrats are also Libertarian (yes there is such an animal)

And I consider myself a libertarian Democrat.

The article starts off with a lie and most people will fall into the trap of believing the lie or fall into the trap of defending a lie.

Don't let them get away with it. Write letters, send emails, AND don't defend yourself because there is nothing to defend.

There are NO GLOATING DEMOCRATS. Why? Because they realize the very real and personal concerns of Terri and her family. Because Democrats are humbly confident that these very personal matters are best solved by the family in consultation with their doctor.

I don't see Democrats gloating -- to do so would be repellent to even other Democrats. This issue really doesn't create any winners, and I don't think it creates any losers either. Republicans look a little stupid and overreaching but in the long term this is a blip on the radar screen -- they played to their base with the knowledge that they will be the ones that remember. In the future it will look like very bad taste to bring up Terri Schiavo as it will look like someone trying to capitalize on her death.