Hurricane Charley Hits Kerry

[umass1993]

In case y'all didn't know, FLorida is a crucial state in this election.
Charley is going to allow Bush to ride to the "rescue." he may well win
the state because of this hurricane, in turn he may well win the election.

this mut be very concerning to Kerry campaign staff.

[newsguyatl]

1. umm, yeh

:freak:

[shraby]

2. Sorry, but the Bushies

will screw everything up really bad just like they always do.

[umass1993]

10. natural disasters are easy

Bush won't screw this one up. His people know exactly how to handle these disasters to maximum effect because they can (and probably have) review previous responses to disasters such as this and hit the perfect"note."

The election could turn on this event. All of those people know that Jeb is Georges brother and will able to get all that he wants from the Fed Gov if george is in power.

[Cha]

We'll see. But the election is not "turning on this event".

bush is going to lose.

[umass1993]

37. not everyone has a crystal ball

like you.

Do you know who's going to win the World Series too?

[Cha]

42. No I don't know who is going to win the world series

nor do I care. But Kerry is going to win this election..we'll talk in Nov.

[umass1993]

47. well, you do "gotta believe"

but I'm a Red Sox fan, so I can't help myself from having doubts.

[Cha]

65. Yeah, now that I think of it ..it would be very nice

to have the Red Sox win the World Series.B-)

[KC21304]

46. I think you just accused yourself of having a crystal ball.

Or are you a ventriloquist ?

[umass1993]

50. no I did not,

I merely pointed out that to underestimate the magnitude of this event could be fatal mistake. This is a tight race. This event cannot be ignored under the circumstances.

[I Lean Left]

63. I do!!

But, then again, I make the same prediction every year.

[JohnKleeb]

3. are ya kiddin me

This wont affect us, in fact I heard simliar thing happened in '92 with Hurricane Andrew. There's also the fact that Kerry told his locals in Florida to give the victims shelter, food, clothing, etc.

[umass1993]

14. in 92 I believe Lawton Chiles

was governor. He was gov in 93.

[JohnKleeb]

17. Still you really think they're gonna be able to spin this

Yes, I believe Chiles was gov.

[umass1993]

23. if we anything

we know this administration can spin like Lance Armstrong.

Then again, maybe they are above taking advantage of a situation (irony).

[KC21304]

49. Poppy Bush was the one who screwed up after Andrew.

[Beetwasher]

4. He's A Ghoul Who Runs To Politicize Dead People

Yeah, that goes over well, especially when crucial resources that could be used to help people who need it are being tied up because of his visit. How silly.

[aquart]

5. Welcome to DU. Not reading the newspapers much?

Jeb messed up the hurricane warning. Left the worst hit areas unwarned and unprotected.

Bush "to the rescue" is taking needed search and rescue resources away in order to protect him.

[tridim]

6. Did you come up with this theory all by yourself?

Or did you get it from Faux Newz?

[Democat]

11. It's been posted numerous times and sounds like a talking point

Likely a right wing source is behind it.

Is it Fox?

[umass1993]

12. Yes I did.

I am simply trying to create some urgency on this matter. I was amazed that this forum wasn't already flooded with posts such as mine.

Wake up and sniff the coffee people.

[umass1993]

33. I don't watch major news channels

they get me pissed off.

I thought of this issue all by myself.

Why is it so wrong to examine all of the angles?

[coloradodem2005]

7. I don't know.

A lot of people are angry at Jeb because he didn't warn them to get out of the way. This will carry over to George.

Check this thread out:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2217719

[rsmith6621]

8. Lets all Pray That

People in FL dont decide on GWB because of one single event....

I think Kerry is better of to stay away until the mobile home siding has settled down.........His visit actually could hamper things, it bad enough when Shrub come for a visit.

I think that those in charge of the Kerry camp have a strategy in regards to Charley.

Thank God theree are 49 other states.

[umass1993]

55. thanks for your response

you have the voice of reason.

What concerns me is that there is little Kerry can do.

This problem is exacerbated by the electoral college system. If the total national vote was the deciding factor then I would agree that this is a hiccup. But as the system now stands, this could really hurt.

[Democat]

9. How many times has this exact right wing talking point has been posted?

Someone check with Fox and see where this is coming from.

[umass1993]

18. This isn't a media creation

the hurricane really hit Florida.

It needs an extremely strong response from Kerry to assure Floridians that they will have the full support of the Federal government.

This is TIGHT race. EVERY vote counts.

Everybody is well aware of the rallying around the president effect.

[donco6]

31. I've seen it at least six times just this a.m.

One last time:

Remember Andrew? If anything, disasters hurt incumbents, as relief never arrives fast enough, and it causes the sufferers to grumble.

[Cheswick2.0]

13. It didn't work that way in 92

bush 1 was beat because Clinton CRITICIZED the way he handled post Andrew. The people are devasted and nothing bush can do will make them less devasted. What Kerry needs to do is stop being so freaking nuanced and hit Bush where it hurts.

[David Dunham]

16. THis hurricane will be old news by November. Don't worry.

[Cheswick2.0]

20. I am not worried

Andrew happened about this same time and to the people there in florida this Hurricane will not be old new for YEARS. They will blame bush if Kerry gets a spine and criticizes him on how he handles the aftermath.

[umass1993]

24. thank you

for agreeing that a strong response from Kerry is in order.

[umass1993]

30. Not to Floridians

If you don't have a house you sort of remember that. If you are waiting for relief funds to help you out, you sort of remember that. It doesn't matter that the rest of the nation doesn't give a shit. Get iT?

[Padraig18]

15. Get this from Fox News?

RW talking point #147...

:eyes:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. Florida Is A Critical State

Bush hopes to capitalize on Hurricane Charley


Water freezes at 32 degrees...


D U should have a literacy test to post here....

[Padraig18]

21. Well, DUH!

:eyes:

[2Design]

22. Go away....Kerry is so much better a person than Bush we don't

have to worry.,....take your tall tales some where else, please

[umass1993]

26. HUh?

We are talking about Floridians here. They will what they perceive as best for them.

The aftermath of Charley will not just "go away" for a large segment of the Florida population.

This is not NY or MA, this is FLA.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

25. Is There A Pavlovian Response...

I live in Seminole County, Florida which took a semi direct hit from Charley.... I wouldn't vote for Bush if he personally cut down every uprooted tree in Central Florida...


Bush is doing what all leaders do in a time of trouble... This will neither help him or hurt him as it should....

[umass1993]

28. If I were a Kerry advisor,

which I am not, I would be racking my brain to figure out the best way to do damge control from Charley.

I would not be so confident that this will not matter.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

32. That's What Presidents Do...

Part of their job is being a healer... Bush has an obligation to go and show concern.... I credit him for it even though it's perfunctory...


But folks aren't going to vote for him because he showed up at a disaster scene....

[umass1993]

34. I remember another disaster that worked well for him,

it is called 9/11 and it gave him huge political capital and huge ratings.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

40. Is He Going To Declare A War On Hurricanes?

or make Hurricane Charley part of the Axis Of Evil...



I don't see how you can compare the largest act of terrorism in the world with a natural disaster....


Is Bush going to Punta Gorda where the Hurricane hit and tell God he'll be hearing from us soon for sending the hurricane our way...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

62. Apples and Oranges, pal

Are you SURE you're from Massachusetts? :eyes:

[umass1993]

71. MMM, I have 6 years post-graduate work

and I have lived in Florida while doing it.

Apples and oranges?

1) Both were unexpected
2_ Both caused a lot of destruction
3) Both will require disaster funds
4) Both left many people looking for leadership
and direction

I think you see the similarities. Just because you want Kerry
to win, doesn't change anything. It seems Dems should assume the worst (politically) so they are prepared for it.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

80. The Hurricane was a natural disaster. 9/11 was an ATTACK

that was premeditated. They couldn't be more different, and the Hurricane is only affecting one state not several. I don't see 3,000 dead in Florida.

Post-grad work in what? Posting shit on message boards?

[AndyTiedye]

27. They Plan to Steal Florida Again Anyway

This will probably keep * from getting too far behind in Florida to steal it,
if that were ever a possibility.

Kerry needs enough electoral votes in other states to compensate for
the likely loss/theft of Florida. The hurricane does not change that.

If the election hinges on Florida again, they will find some way to steal it.

[nonkultur]

29. Everyone who lost their home

Has to re-register with a new address before the election.

Those repugs are gonna scrub the list again.

[Lefty48197]

35. Not really

Anytime Dumbyah goes out in public, he runs the risk of falling flat on his face. He makes Gerald Ford look graceful.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

36. I would like to nominate this for the dumbest post of the day

but I can't find the button for that.

[umass1993]

41. Yeah, I guess you're right

Why would Floridians on the fence vote for the brother of their Governor when he is applying for federal funding?

They'll see the big picture and stop worrying about their homes and start thinking about stem-cell research.

What was I thinking.

[amazona]

38. nah

Quite the contrary. Andrew may be what cost Bush I the election in 92. FEMA under GOP administrations hasn't been at its best, to put it mildly.

[Canuckistanian]

39. Do you really think this is a concern?

Do you think that people in FL are going to be thinking "Oh, that President Bush, he's so concerned, he CARES" with tears in their eyes?
And 2 1/2 months later?

People remember and care about their own local organizations rather than the President flying around in a helicopter for a couple of hours.

[umass1993]

44. they don't care if he cares or not

but they do know that if Jeb wants money, he will be able to get it.

Why risk Kerry, some guy from MA?

It's about securing MONEY.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

48. Joe Six Pack Is Going To Vote For Bush Because He Will Give

Money To Florida Because His Brother Is The Governor....



I see.....


Thanks for filling me in....

[Canuckistanian]

54. Sadly, you have a point.

But people need to realize that after 4 more years of *, the federal govt. might not be able to help at all.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

56. He Doesn't Have A Point....

In the spirit of DU rules regarding personal attacks I will attack the idea and not the person....


The proposition that Bush will benefit from the hurricane is simply absurd....

[Canuckistanian]

60. I have heard Floridians use that argument, though

But maybe that's just just the Bush choir talking.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

70. I Live In Florida.... In Central Florida Where The Storm Hit....

I'm not going to knock Bush for coming... That's part of his job but it's a stretch to say he's going to significantly benefit from coming to view the damage....

[umass1993]

73. this is such a close race

that just a little bit is enough. again, if the presidency relied only on national vote count I would agree this is inconsequential, but that is not the country in which we live. With the electoral college system, and the fact that Florida is so tight, I think Kerry has to take this seriously.

Remember 2000? It is that tight. People who have made up their minds may be 98% of the Florida population, but the other 2% could make all of the difference.

So I do agree with you that Nationally, this is a tempest in a teapot, but under the current climate, it is a hurricane.

[kentuck]

43. This is nothing but negatives for Bush unless he wants to rebuild..

the houses and trailers back better than they were before the storm. What can he do to persuade these people their lives are better or he has done all these heroic things?? I don't see it. This is potentially very damaging to Bush....especially if he decides this is not a 'government' responsibility and everyone should "turn to their neighbors"...

[umass1993]

45. Well placed "compassion"

from the "compassionate" conservative.

He'll take care of those who take care of him.

Come on people, we are dealing with opportunists here.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

53. We know the masses are asses

but even the masses aren't that stupid...

[umass1993]

58. To me it,s not about stupidity,

it's about self-preservation.

Think about it, if you were on the fence and you lost your house and you had to rely on the gov't, what would you do?

This goes to the core of human behavior. That is why it is troubling.

When hurt floridians go to vote and they are looking for something to separate the two, who will they vote for: 1) the brother of their governor, 2) some guy from Massachusetts.

Imagine how somebody feeling vulnerable would behave.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

74. If Your Home Wasn't Insured The Government Isn't Going To Pay For It....

If that was case nobody would buy homeowners insurance...

[umass1993]

77. why is there Federal Disaster Relief ?

It must go somewhere? It must be for somebody?

Let's not pick nits.

[annabanana]

52. Remember.... All responses will be inadequate....

He'll give them a $50 loan at 5.5%, when what they want and need is a hand getting funds from their insurance companies.
If the water & electric are slow coming back...they'll notice that their National Guard isn't where it's supposed to be.
He won't get a lot of huggy stuff from this hurricane.

[Neshanic]

51. Even I am not that pessimistic. It's not gonna hurt Kerry.

[Cuban_Liberal]

57. Most of my family is in Florida, and they say differently...

Just talked to my aunt today, and she says that a LOT more people are PISSED OFF at Jeb than anything, so I doubt that a visit from Bush the Dumber is gonna help his re-election chances there much.

[umass1993]

59. OK, well maybe this will hurt *

We will see how it unfolds.

I thank you all for your input. But I must go now.

[displacedtexan]

61. We had...

spaghetti three times at our house last week.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

64. I heard the same spin on Faux news this morning

:eyes:

[agincourt]

66. The chimp will get a bump

but I don't think it will hold until November.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

67. How retarded do you think Floridians are?

One hurricane isn't going to change my mind. I think most people will still vote the way the were planning to vote before the hurricane.

[deminflorida]

68. The last thing on those poor peoples minds right now in Port

Charlotte is who is going to win the presidency in 2004. The rest of the state is raising an eye-brow or two at Jeb's Administration and the preparedness of the state in responding to a disaster of this magnitude.

They are not being very open about the body count which is sure to rise above Andrew in 92.

People did not get moved to safety in time, mostly the elderly and the poor.

Questions are springing up everywhere about why wasn't the National Guard able to mobilize faster, even after Jeb declared a State of Emergency. Where were the officials and the guard knocking on those old folk's doors prior to land fall.

Why do we not have an adequate number of hurricane shelters in many of our less populated coastal areas?

Bush better be here, and to tell you the truth so should John Kerry after the dust settles. This storm hit the state in a region that voted widely for Bush over Gore in 2000. Those people are pissed right now about losing everthing. 250,000 damaged structures, the loss of local jobs and businesses, the damage to our Orange crops...these are economic losses that are going to effect the national economy in October, just before the election.

There are problems down here in Florida...no developed country like ours should have to shoulder the death toll of storm like this if people are properly warned and moved out of harms way and that includes the elderly and the poor. If the numbers rise in the coming days like I think they are going too, the entire nation needs to hang it's head in shame. Kerry doesn't have to go to the effected area now but he needs to visit Florida and lay out his plans to improve our disaster preparedness down here...it should be a part of National Homeland Security and it has been ignored by the Bush Administration. If that death toll continues to rise...that's a point that will be clear to all Americans, especially Floridians.

[umass1993]

69. well spoken

I think your input is valuable.

It is premature to know the fallout from this event, but I think it would be a mistake to think that Floridians will have forgotten the event by November. Moreover, it would be a mistake to (mis)underestimate its importance to them.

I just think that as sitting President and with his brother as Governor, * has the advantage. It could turn on him. But it could also be an opportunity for him.

BTW: I have met hundreds of floridians. I taught them at UF when I was a teaching assistant there.

I was a Florida resident for 6 years.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

72. Having Your Brother As Governor Has Advantages

but that has nothing to do with benefitting from a hurricane...

[umass1993]

75. Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11

but people felt so, without, mind you, any overt statement to this effect.

I think you would agree that any major occurrence in Florida with political overtones should be treated as important.

If you were an advisor to Kerry, wouldn't you be a little concerned?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

76. Bush Gets To Look Like He Cares...

I concede that's a plus but I don't see it changing the dynamic of the election...



He's just doing his job...


There's not much Kerry can do about it anyway... Incumbency has it's advantages....

[umass1993]

78. agreed!

I guess the best Kerry can do is publicly assure all floridians that he will expedite all resoureces as president. Kerry supporters (us) can point up every fuck up this administration makes in the process of kissing floridian butt. Hopefully, this will neutralize the whole issue.

But like you said, incumbancy has its advantages.

[Walt Starr]

79. Dude, take a chill pill

And stop bogarting whatever it is you've been smoking!

[Name removed]

81. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WilliamPitt]

82. They haven't finished counting the bodies yet, apparently

If Jebbie becomes radioactive because a lot of people got killed thanks to his underwhelming hurricane preparations, Bush will leave him in the dust fast.

Jesus. I've never had to do so many political/electoral calculations involving dead people in my life. Iraq. Afghanistan. September 11. Now this goddam hurricane. This administration has literally lowered election politics to the level of bairbaiting or some other blood sport.

Nauseating.