Do you believe the Democrats are over-estimating the fallout from the Foley affair.?

Question

First let's establish that what Foley did is repulsive and indefensible. Further if the Speaker knew and didn't take action he should also resign.

I see many people posting how bad all Republicans are based on the actions of a few. This rhetoric ranges from the mild to the absolutely outrageous. They believe this will surely swing the mid term election in their favor. Foley has resigned and the Speaker has called for a full investigation of the matter. My question is this. Has this scandal changed your opinion about whether or not you will vote for the Republicans in Novermber? If so why?

I am interested in honest, intelligent answers. This is not an invitation to bash the other side.

hichefheidi: I have not demonized anyone with this question. I will concede that Republican rhetoric is every bit as bad. The statement about rhetoric in the question is response to repeated posts I keep seeing that all Republicans are perverts and child molesters. These types of statements do have effects on some people's opinions so therefore they are mentioned. If I was asking the same question in reverse I would point out Republican rhetoric.

Jim W: You of course can believe what you like, but as I have told you numerous times I am not a Republican. I vote for people not parties. I concede that my opinions are conservative more so than liberal. I actually don't have a choice in who I vote for in the house. The local district Republican is running unopposed. I have no vested interest in which party is in power because I believe all politicians have become unresponsive to the will of the people in general.

Answer 1

The problem with a scandal such as this is the Republican focus on values. For years the Republican party has ridden issues of morality and family values. A Republican representative violating in such a flagrant way almost all of those values is a significant problem. It plays into the idea that Republicans only use issues of family values to win votes, which is insulting to their constituents. It challenges their moral authority. A gay man who improperly approaches underage boys? This is PRECISELY the sort of behavior that Republicans have been crusading against. Every time a Republican talks about family values, it becomes a little more hollow. Furthermore, allegations that the Speaker knew and did not reveal that knowledge expands the scandal beyond the Florida 16th. Whether or not the allegation is true (I don't believe it is), the scandal now taints the party in general.

Needless to say, this is NOT going to cause a mass migration of social conservatives to the Democratic party. The way this will swing the elections is by causing social conservatives to sit at home on election day. Massive voter turnout by the Christian right in favor of the Republican party has had a lot to do with recent Republican power gains. If a scandal such as this one sufficiently disenchants that demographic, it will certainly cause significant election day woes. There are plenty of people already voting against Republicans because of Iraq and other hot button issues. This situation strikes at the conservative base ithat if it votes, always votes Republican. The Republican party needs those votes to overcome disgruntlement amongst moderate, anti-war voters.

Should this be as big a deal as it is? Perhaps not. Inexcusable as the behavior was, one man making a mistake does not generally doom a party. If this scandal has a major impact (which I think it wil), it will be because Republicans have set a standard in national campaigning it now appears they cannot maintain.

Answer 2

Absolutely. I have to wonder if its going to affect anything besides the district where Foley was from, since he will still be on the ballot. That means the Democratic challenger will win. Its being used like a political weapon, which is typical, but this kind of thing will blow over fast. It may get the Democrats a few more votes, but the die-hard Republicans won't be affected. The Dems have had their share of scandals, and the Reps will use those scandals as a rebuttal whenever someone mentions Mark Foley.

Answer 3

I think the democrats will try anything to grab onto this election, like the last election, they said that was there last hope and wait guess what there saying it again, republicans are at fault as well but not for the foley issue, campaigning has become a big mudslinging jerry springer style fest.....they have both lost the true issues and just beleive on degrading the other party instead of trying to work with them, its an old saying I had years ago," Dont insult or be cruel to a co-worker because who is to say that co-worker wont become your boss", learn and understand these people have to work as a co-habitant and democrats and republicans have to work as a marraige is suppose to work, compromise and thinking as two indivuals with a single plan....it sadly wont happen and will be a disasterous downfall to the american way of life......

Answer 4

I think the Republicans are overestimating the fallout. They didn't need this cherry on their sundae, but in the end its the rest of the problems that will be on voters minds in November. I won't be voting Republican due to the debt, the war, the mismanagement and cronyism, and the fact that we don't seem interested in the Constitution as more than a relic of a bygone time. Thats whats changed my mind Not the action of one or even two men.

Answer 5

Republican. Small government, place self belief in a reliable national protection, human beings could desire to save greater constructive of their funds, expert-life, expert-Christian, expert-American. The Democratic celebration replace into very plenty this sort indoors the 1960's. on the grounds that then they're getting anti-life, anti-Christian, against the marvelous to undergo hands, severe environmentalists, anti-kin, and un-American of their rhetoric by bashing united statesa.. enable's in easy terms define what they stand for. Conservatives adhere to classic values. Liberals (or progressives) opt to alter the classic values. seem it up indoors the dictionary. The Democratic celebration believes indoors the Separation of Church and State which isn't indoors the shape! yet, they propose and help the ACLU to push an anti-Christian time table. Democrats use to be for a reliable national defence. Now, they injury down the skill for our intelligence agencies to communicate with one yet yet another and overall performance regulations that jeapardize our national protection. they're gentle on crime like they're on our enemies. They embrase socialism or possibly communism. They tear down capitalism like that's an evil factor. You ask your self why the Democrats should not be waiting to win votes? for fifty years that they had administration of congress. Now, that they've lost the domicile and Senate and the govtthe in hardship-unfastened words skill they have left is indoors the Judicial branch. What do we come for the period of there? a bunch of activist judges over-ruling the human beings on an identical time as they vote. The Democatic celebration distorts and tramples on the shape. in short, they're traitors.

Answer 6

No I dont think so.Why is EVERY OTHER question on this site about Bill Clinton,Jerry Studs,etc??

Honestly,the stategic questions on this site posed by people who want the Republicans to win are amazing,and,I'm sorry man,but that includes you too.

I saw someone post that they wanted the Rep's to win "just so I can keep thumbing my nose at the Democrats".Americans tolerate a LOT of corruption in the name of indulging reactionary preferences!

I think Condi's 7-2001 ignoring of a pre-911 warning will have more impact,though.

Answer 7

No, Republicans have had their hate for gays on parade for the last 30 years. They have been the ones linking gays and pedophiles with lies. To find out one of their own is gay will be devastating to them. I expect a huge backlash at the repub's leadership for hiding this fact and they have no one but themselves to blame for it. They are the ones who have been fanning the hate and bigotry all these years. To fain shock after it was clear that they knew all about now makes them like as big a fraud as Foley.

Answer 8

The social masses of both parties think it is a bigger issue than it will go down in history as.

Because most politicians are cut from the same cloth. It is like the Fox guarding the hen house.

Go big Red Go

Answer 9

It has no effect on my opinion. Of course, I don't live in Florida in Foley's district. I certainly wouldn't vote for Foley or some scraped up replacement. I think they'll lose that district. Everything else is just drama that plays well in the press.

Answer 10

No, I wouldn't vote for the Republicans on my ballot anyway. It probably won't have a huge effect in my opinion but it certainly won't help the Republican cause. Especially since the Republicans always run on "family values"...


EDIT; To Locutus - Soros is behind Foley's behavior? Please explain.