Are republicans borrowing a democrats' strategy for election time?

Question

Since Congress has a low rating (brought on by the fact that they cannot get the war in Iraq ended soon enough) are the republicans going to run on 'at least we aren't the dems'? Afterall, the low congress approval has EVERYTHING to do with the open ended war in Iraq (same as Bush's approval), and not because we wish that the republicans were back in...

So, when Bush doesn't sign a bill, or vetos funding for the troops, we blame the dems? I guess we get the gov't we deserve...if we cannot make people accountable for their actions, we should just blame someone else, and keep voting for the same idiots. Makes sense. Maybe after we do that, we can go and complain some more on Yahoo!

Answer 1

I seriously question whether the war will even be the flash point issue in the next election. I think the party that wins will be the party who is seen to be doing the most about immigration reform and high gas prices. The reason for this is that I believe all the candidates are going to be very close to each other on ending the war. The people have adequately shown their disapproval of our continued presence in Iraq. The fact that Bush is not listening is wholly irrelevant as he cannot run again. In the coming days you will see the Republicans distance themselves more and more from the Bush administration as voter disapproval with administration policies continues to grow. The worst possible strategy for the Republicans would be the "at least we aren't the Democrats" because the people are fed up with do nothing representatives in general. This is the true lesson from the last mid term election. I just don't know if the Republicans were paying attention in class that day given the course they continue to follow overall.

Answer 2

Well they can try to run on 'at least we aren't the Dems' but someone is bound to point out that the highest disapproval ratings in Congress go to the Republicans. Congress historically has low approval ratings on a regular basis. But in the end it depends on who our citizens blame for this war in their gut. For most of them, no matter how Congress voted in 2003, it's the Republicans. Most people I've talked to are very aware that the Democrats in Congress can only do so much with their slim majority and that they need Republicans on board too to really get anything major done about the war. I think that's the main reason that Republicans get the lowest approval ratings in Congress, and one of the prime reasons they will most likely lose badly in '08, across the board.

Answer 3

I have said this since election day - Republicans will prevent the Dems in congress from enacting any legislation (Dems cannot override presidential veto) and then run against the "Do-nothing congress".

BTW, I saw a poll of congressional approval and the Republicans were viewed way lower than Dems in congress.

Answer 4

Congress' low approval rating has to do with:

1) They aren't doing ANYTHING about anything, except to pass non-binding, meaningless resolutions. They aren't doing the People's business.

2) This supposedly moral and upstanding and non-partisan Congress has been anything but - with leaders of committees being indited, the Speaker trying to play Sec. of State, and just as much partisanship as there ever was.

Simply put, they are not living up to their promises.

And if that is what the republicans can focus on to show how the dems are not affective, then I am sure they will do so.

Answer 5

That's a pretty big stretch to say that congress's approval rating is low because they can't get us out of Iraq. It's b/c of their inability to do anything. "non-binding resolution"??? How chicken s@#$ is that? They are spending all of their time trying to find anybody they can possible prosecute that is in the Bush administration, whether there is actually wrong doing or not, instead of performing any real service. Name one productive thing this congress has done. It's embarrassing that my tax dollars go to them, and I want my money back.

Answer 6

what strategy? yell scream whine and fuss isn't really a strategy as much as it is a way of life for Democrats (note the capital 'D', as in the organized party, not the layperson).
member of both parties in congress have a low approval because by the vast majority of the citizens of the US they are seen as elitests who do very little or nothing for the people they claim to represent. congresspeople push the pork to the corporations in their districts (and nationally!) often to the detriment of individual citizens. congresspeople want to pass laws then exempt themselves from those very same laws (ie: social security, healthcare, etc). congresspeople pass for themselves significant pay raises that are far far beyond what the average citizen recieves (and are more than what the average business can afford to give their employees!). congresspeople should have to have a majority vote during a general election in order to give themselves a raise/perk of any kind, do that and see what people really think of them. except for the most extreme on both sides of the political aisle, there is very little difference evident between those from either party. Both want little more than to remain in power and feed from the trough that is the public's $$. when we get to keep a little more of our OWN money, they scream and call it a tax cut and claim that they are losing out on something that was not theirs to begin with. when they want to raise taxes they call out all the overwrought emotional arguments (think of the children, you are heartless because....etc).

Answer 7

No the last time the republicans made promises as in the contract with america they kpet them the dems promised a 5 day work week, and all sorts of goodies but thus far only non binding resloutions have passed

Answer 8

Given the democratic election history in the past 6 years, why would repubs want to lose the election?

Answer 9

the Republicans are now - nothing more than an obstructionist party... it's all they have left and I think after 2008, there will be a solid democratic majority.

Answer 10

Well, both political parties will try to get elected using any method, but that method is stupid, it would never work, so no, they aren't using that one.