What do the Republicans have to gain or lose by this Shaivo thing?

[funkybutt]

Okay, I understand that they push the story to the front to cover up whatever is really going on. They can say they "stood for life" or whatever...but in general, the public doesn't seem to really stand with Republicans on this one, so why are they sticking their necks out so far for this one. Seem to me that they could be losing a lot of face over this. They come off looking like crazy people.

Please help me understand this a little more b/c I think I'm going to PUKE next time I see that picture of Terri Shaivo.

[knight_of_the_star]

1. Trying to give red meat to the base

But it looks like it will blow up in their faces.

[BR_Parkway]

8. I think they overestimated their base, they've been looking at these

polls about how Christian the nation is, without ever stopping to see how many are true to the beleifs/practices/teachings of Christ and how many were off the freaking wall wingnutz. They see the fringe get the airtime (and why not - Dobson, Falwell, the rest of the radical clerics have big bills to pay to bring in all those donation dollars)

What they forgot to look at is how many are true to the Christian faith - just like a few radical Muslims steal all the limelight from another peace loving religion, even though they are the twisted minority of it.

So they needed to throw some red meat to the base. Too many bills lately to make the corporate campaign donors happy, they needed to give "something' to the little guys. But their so caught up in whipping up the hatred of the masses, they forget that most of the Christians in this country are NOT the wingnuts, their moral values are peace and love and charity towards their fellow man - not hate and vile denounciations from the pulpit blended with good old fashioned racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia.

May they continue to fuck themselves even harder in the months ahead.

[CottonBear]

2. They are going to overturn Roe v. Wade by the same technique.

It's simple. They have overthrown the government as we knew it and as the founders envisioned it and codified it in the Constitution.

[UCLA Dem]

3. They seem to be pandering to their base pure and simple.

The Christian Conservatives are all over this case and have been a huge factor in fueling the flames.

[Caution]

4. Single issue voters. Most people wouldnt let an issue like this swing

their vote. However, this will swing the votes and energize the hard core right to lifers and they've been harping on the "judicial activism" thing in this one as well.

These issue guarantee that the evangelicals will come out to vote. They'll never vote democratic but if they dont show up republicans lose. So republicans gamble that the issue wont alienate anyone who might vote their way (they know it pisses off a lot of dems, but the dems wont vote for them anyways) but it will cause some religious nutjobs to come out and vote their way.

[UCLA Dem]

6. I agree completely. They must keep them energized or they will loose.

[bowens43]

5. Votes.

They thought that this issue would be a great way to solidify the vote hardcore Christian right without alienating the more moderate conservatives.

They miscalculated.

[blm]

7. Fewer voters turn out for midterm elections. Passionate issue voters WILL

just as they did in 1994, if the RNC plays them the right way.

Watch for big ticket demagogue issues to be part of the 06 cycle, since Bush's overreach on Social Security will need to be overshadowed by then.

[Skittles]

9. they get to distract from the mess they have made of this country

it's SOP for the GOP - get their idiot voters to concentrate on crap like baseballers on steroids, gay marriage, a brain-damaged woman while they are tearing the country apart

[finecraft]

10. It's not about Terri at all

it's about overturning Roe v. Wade. Think about it:

1) If the Federal Court decides it has no jurisdiction over the Schaivo case, the next step for the rabid right is to say that if the Federal Court cannot decide on life and death personal matters, the same must apply to other "life and death" personal matters. Hence, states have the right to determine their stand on Roe v. Wade.

2) If the Federal Court decides that it does have jurisdiction over the Schaivo case, and it decides in favor of Terri Schaivo's parents, that means they are upholding the "victim's" right to life. Hence, Roe v. Wade should be overturned because the court has now said if a "victim" cannot speak for themselves in a life and death matter, the decision the court renders should err on the side of preservation of life.

3) If the Federal Court decides that it does have jurisdiction over the Schaivo case, and it decides in favor of Terri Schaivo's husband, the right will have a field day over the "activist judges" issue, and the deciding Judge will effectively become a "dead man walking"....since Randall Terry's "Operation Rescue" group seems to be heavily involved in backing Terri's parents.

I wouldn't want to be the Federal Judge deciding this case, because you're screwed anyway you look at it.

[bluedog]

11. THE CAUSE USA...........this group.................watch out for them!!

**************this is the group behind the protests here in FL.they are out of MARYLAND and live in a commune typr setting..sorta like a religious cult...........

A major embryonic stem cell research battle is looming in Massachusetts. Thankfully, we have a pro-life governor there who has taken a stand against destroying human life for non-guaranteed research purposes. In addition, Mitt Romney’s wife has multiple sclerosis, so the usual charge by proponents that he’s just being heartless and unhelpful won’t stick to him.


Here’s a revealing quote by Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, who is in favor of ESCR:

"I believe that there is the potential for significant medical breakthroughs, the realization of a cure for young children with juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injury, people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," Travaglini said.


News on the Marriage Front

Along with Romney’s stand, there’s more good news in Massachusetts. The state Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear oral arguments to block the ruling it made previously which allowed same-sex marriage to become legal. Massachusetts is currently the only state to allow same-sex marriage. Let us hope that soon enough, there won’t be any.

Also, in New York, the case on same-sex marriage is speeding its way through the state courts. One particular judge, Albert Rosenblatt, could hold the keys to which way the case goes.

Legislative Alerts

Keep an eye on these pro-life acts that have been introduced in Congress:

Child Custody Protection Act

Unborn Child Awareness Act

Anti-Human Cloning Bill

The States

Our current focus is to see the overturning of Roe v. Wade. But let us not forget that when Roe is done away with, the attention goes back to the states. LifeNews has the scoop has some recent happenings in Georgia and North Dakota.
http://www.causenews.com/

[applegrove]

12. They get 'brain candy' to hand out to Bush followers who are beginning

to wonder why all the electoral wins and complete control over all three sides of government are not translating into 'movement on abortion'. Because it is the only time the Repukes have had such power.

What do you think SS is for? The kill time. If Bush and Cheney were not on the road "selling" it to people who cannot ask questions, they would have to be planning a strategy to implement the abortion laws or same sex marriage laws.

Terry was just uncostly garbage to give a win to the fundies. Didn't cost Bush a think did it. Which is why he raced home from Crawford.