Just asking. Is it possible...

[LaPera]

That the Republicans would rather have this craziness with Foley happening, rather than having 24/7 news of Woodward showing the lies & passivity of 9/11 by Rice, in particular, and by BushCo - There's some truly damaging shit there...Republicans & BushCo lucked out that Woodward's book isn't the main topic of discussion and now it's slowly passing, into yesterday's news....Woodward's book exposed truly criminal facts about this administration.

And just in time, man, did BushCo need a BIG, BIG smokescreen right at this moment! And somehow luckily they got one...With all the Foley talk 24/7 -

And the truth, this too will pass, Rove knows that... Only the hapless Democrats will be grasping for more after it reaches it's peak and fades away (as some other big distraction conveniently always pops up) as sooooooooo many others of Rove's distractions have...Who do we know for certain leaked & exposed Foley? ABC news? (Who trusts ABC)

Because there's really nothing long term there to hurt the republicans, Perhaps at most, Hastert will step down (as Speaker) and the republicans will be the sparkling clean party again...But IF the republicans are successful in saying it was the Dem's who leaked the story right before the election....The republicans can use it to hold control of congress....at the very least it's a distraction.

No sex, just an "alcoholic" "gay" man, who quit because he was sending naughty letters to underage pages...and Hastert knew...It was going to come out sooner or later anyway...Now that Foley's quit, and he's also in rehab --- so stop the "gay-bashing" the republicans are screaming....The republicans are pointing fingers at the Dem's (an old Rove trick) saying this is election time slime bought on by the Democrat's to win back the Congress...

Even though Rove's finger prints are all over this! Typical Rove smokescreen, avoid front page news about an incriminating revelation, in this case a book (Woodward's) to keep people's minds elsewhere... But also the BushCo mess in Iraq and off the republican do nothing Congress... AND probably other things that will slip on by with the Foley barrage going on, that Rove/BushCo doesn't want in the limelight.

Remember the NSA domestic spying leaks a few month's back, most thought this is it. Bushco is going down, while everyone was paying attention to that went nowhere smokescreen... Bills & legislation were being passed, including another huge tax cut for the rich - which slipped right on through, not even a mention of anything else going on... Thanks to the NSA domestic spying and that passed away nicely too, thank you Karl Rove.

Just like the NSA domestic spying, people will scream, but this is (Foley) different, perhaps they are right...However, I also see absolute exposures of Rice & BushCo, etc. and keeping the much needed focus off Iraq war (The World Can't Wait) slipping right on by the headlines, as we are again all obsessed & focused on Foley...

I guess if this (Foley stuff) doesn't work & it indeed backfires, Rove always has his "October surprise" Iran? And the Diebold electronic voting machines to keep the majority in Congress.

But the main thing is...Whew! The heat was taken off Rice & the President!! (Just in time).

[Sammy Pepys]

1. Possible? yes. Probable? No.

Sorry, I can't believe GWB would sacrifice Republican control of Congress to take Woodward off the front page.

[Greyhound]

8. Only if you believe they don't already know what is coming in the

next four weeks.

Watch the shiny object... :think:

[LaPera]

33. Wow, well put...Good thought!

They indeed know everything that will be coming in the next four weeks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

55. I don't think they realized what a horrendous story this was

Think about it - they may have thought the only 'evidence' was the emails. And they aren't all that bad. But those IMs are the kicker.

[Auggie]

2. Theoretically, any thing is possible.

[Greyhound]

3. I don't know, ya think?

Mighty mysterious how this happens every single time, year after year. :think:

[LaPera]

4. "every single time, year after year" !!!

[MrCoffee]

5. I guess it would be possible. It's just not very likely.

The way Congressional Repubs are chewing each other's faces off to cover their own asses is going to cost them in November. Why give up control of Congress to start a war which the new Congress wouldn't fund in a million years?

[John Gauger]

6. I think that's absolutely why this was timed as it was

Four weeks is enough time for damage control on the Foley issue. Rove-Abramoff and Condi-Tenet are the kinds of things that they may not be able to recover from. I think it is definitely soordingated as such. What other reason could they have to release it when they did? What are the other benefits?

[Iwasthere]

9. Whether they did it deliberatly or not....

they are going to use it the best way they can. As a distraction from some very serious questions. These questions would have serious impact on their plan for a war with Iran, wouldn't they?

[John Gauger]

12. Yes they would

Though war in Iran seems almost impossible to me right now, I know they are still fighting for it as hard as they can, trying to manipulate the situation to make the war a little more tenable.

[GreenTea]

32. Your right on the money!

[KalicoKitty]

7. I also have a question!

How did this finally get released about the pervert, Mark Foley?

Were Democrats aware of it, as the Republicans were who covered up for him?


:shrug:

[John Gauger]

14. No

All indications show that the Dems were not aware of this- only the GOP. I am told they are the ones who released it. It seems the only possibility is that the GOP chose to release it now for a good reason.

[Sherman A1]

10. I doubt they would wish for one over the other

almost makes ya kinda feel sorry for some of the reasonable folks (and there are some) that vote republican. They have been pretty much lied to and taken to the cleaners by guys like Foley.

[LaPera]

11. But which one would be more damaging to BushCo?

[Sherman A1]

23. The Woodward story goes directly at the White House

while the Foley story attacks both the "integrity" (if there ever was any) of the Congress and the Party itself. They are two completely separate issues both spinning tons of bad news for the entire GOP. They don't connect at all or do I believe the one is worse than the other, it's just terribly bad timing for both to be together and neither is seeming to fade.

[Laurab]

54. Delete DUPE n/t

[Laurab]

56. I think for swing voters, who don't really keep up on politics

the Foley thing is more damaging. The Foley thing AND the coverup - they're now pressuring my congressman Reynolds to resign, so it's kind of a gift that keeps on giving. Maybe Hastert will go down, too.

Woodward's book may open the eyes of those who keep abreast of MSM type issues, and he has more crediblity on the right than other writers.

I really don't think the two have to be mutually exclusive. There will be those potential voters who choose to focus on the pedophile thing (which now they are trying to make a gay thing, as well, although it isn't), and there are those who just plain won't appreciate being lied to, and played for fools.

I mean, WE knew, but we're those loony liberals. Woodward has had unprecedented access, has repuke credibility, if there is such a thing, and will be heard where more liberal writers would be ignored.

It would appear to me that there will be more repukes resigning, or at least being pressured to resign, so I just can't believe it's a smokescreen. As someone told me today, those "Christian" voters are 33 million strong. They might like a smokescreen, but not one that's going to lose repuke seats.

I think they're both going to hurt them equally...but as someone said, one never knows what they have cooked up in the next 4 weeks. Desperate people take desperate measures, and they are desperate. I'm a bit....even more than a bit, afraid of what their plans may be, but with all this going on, theres a chance their plans may be thwarted.

[Pachamama]

58. My theory is that the Foley Gate is NOT something they wanted (as is the

Woodward/State of Denial breaking) and that its really, really damaging them and its basically the nail in the coffin that will make them lose the House (maybe even the Senate) for sure. Your absolutely right about the disgust and fury that the voters are having in response to the Foley Affair. This is definitely not something that Rove or the GOP could be rejoicing in it.

Meanwhile, the Woodward/State of Denial news, isn't really news to those that have been staying current on things. The big revelation ofcourse is the news about Condi having been warned in a meeting with Tenet in July of 2001 about Al Qaida's plans. This has also been suspected by many of us and now the proof is coming out. This is going to go away. More "truth" is going to be coming out.

So, in conclusion, the Foley Gate affair is going to cost the GOP Congress and bring the Dems back into some power and checks and balances. As soon as that has happened, the Woodward/State of Denial and all the revelations about the fact that the White House knew far more about 9/11 prior to 9/11/01 will be revealed.

The only thing I'm worried about right now: The Bush Administration and GOP knows the gig is up and they will choose to really "distract" - ie. in the form of War on Iran et al....

[Greeby]

13. I don't think so

I should think the last thing the White House wants is incumbent Repukes resigning a few weeks before the election, and this thing could claim some more scalps yet

[boolean]

15. NO! This scandal is going to cost them both houses!

If anything, they'd rather have the Woodward thing than this!

[LeftCoast]

16. No, it's not possible.

The Foley scandal ties all the other previous scandals together by showing, yet again, that the pubbies will do anything to stay in power. Most of the media reports of the Foley scandal list it as yet another in a series of republican scandals.

[BuyingThyme]

17. Yes!

[coalition_unwilling]

18. That was my initial thought. Then I re-considered. I mean, after

all, Repukes can spin all the lies about the GWOT. It's much harder to spin pedophilia and consequent cover-up. I think pedophilia hurts Repukes on balance more than a constant discussion of Woodward's book. But I can understand your logic. Now if an enterprising reporter should discover that Foley scandal was engineered by Rove&Co to distract from Iraq, that would just take the cake . . . Woodward, you reading this? (It's hurting all the free PR you might receive otherwise.)

[Virginia Dare]

19. No, it's actually more damaging than the Woodward book..

it strikes right into the heart of their own base voters, many of whom I believe will be disgusted enough with it to stay home.

[sutz12]

20. I'll say this...

Republicans have no qualms at all about throwing their own under the bus for whatever reason they have at the time.

Look in the past. There's Colson, and Ollie North to name a couple. And Colin Powell, who was thought of as a moderate, thoughtful conservative until he fell on his sword lying to the UN. It always amazes me, too, that people like that still maintain their loyalty to the party that literally marched them out as sacrificial lambs to protect the people higher up. It continues to disgust me that North wore the same uniform I did. The USMC died a little when that weasel "testified."

Quite frankly, I think they threw Nixon under the bus because they saw the possibility of the demise of the party. I think there is a similar desperation here. They might even give up Shrub if we press hard enough. The Republican "majority" (in actuality it is a bare plurality, but we're splitting hairs) is quite fragile. It is based on the "morals" people conjoined with big business, a group whose morals are determined by monetary profit, alone. In short, they have attempted to "serve God" and "serve Mammon" at the same time. It's a bit of a house of cards, IMO. They are one big defeat away from another long dry spell in the wilderness. At least I hope so.

Unfortunately, big business owns Diebold, et al.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if this hasn't somehow been manipulated by Rove and Co. They are masters at manipulating the press. Foley, his self, is small potatoes. The real question is how much will the press really dig into the back story about how prominent Republicans shielded him, ala Catholic priests? With just a little bit of traction there, the Repubs could be really hurting this November.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

21. Right now they're talking abt gorillas on CNN and some other b.s.

on MSNBC. So I guess there's nothing really going on - must be a slow news day....

:puke:

[GreenTea]

22. Yes, I think it's very possible...and probable.

I don't put anything pass Rove. His main concern and job is to protect Bush.

[Spazito]

24. Quite the opposite, imo....

The public's eyes tend to glaze over when it is all about "he said/she said/they said" headlines. The polls are saying the majority of the public has already decided the bush administration lied to go to war so Woodward's book has limited effect.

Sex/child molestation and cover-up in Congress by a republican, on the other hand, is a readily understood "motherhood" issue that even the least political person can grasp and be outraged. The republicans can't defend it by their usual 9/11 - National Security responses and, as a matter of fact, when they now mention being the party that will keep Americans safe, the average Jane or Joe will think "You can't even keep the pages in your own House safe never mind anyone else.

There is no way the WH, republican leadership would have wanted this to arise at this time, it is the worst thing that could have happened.

[LoZoccolo]

25. It didn't seem like anyone new cared about the rest of that stuff.

I can't see people who'd vote for Republicans at this point being swayed by some of the stuff you mention; but it seems they're affected by this. And it makes sense; someone brought up that Republicans have kids just like Democrats do (probably more) so the Foley thing would hit home more.

[earth mom]

26. The timing is mighty convenient isn't it?

What is the worst crime that will really hurt the rethugs? That's the question.

While I agree that Foley is a sicko who should do some major jail time, I don't think his crimes are going to do as much damage to the powers that be as some around here think they will.

Remember Gannon? Does anyone?

Exactly my point.

IMO, the TRUTH about 9/11 is far more worrisome, dangerous and lethal to the powers that be.

[LaPera]

38. Your point goes a loooong way!

[young_at_heart]

27. Have you noticed how many cable news anchors are defending Foley?

ON KO last night we saw so many news idiots comparing Foley to Clinton and others....the gist is that it's no big deal. However, that's all they talked about. No mention of the BIG story!

[marions ghost]

28. Nah...

they REALLY didn't want this. Blaming it on the Democrats isn't going to wash either.

This Foley disaster sensitizes people even more to pay attention to the news. As sorry as I am that it's this kind of thing that gets attention more than their everyday political crimes, I think a lot of people are making the connections...that it's all about corruption, predation, cronyism, lying and sleeze in the Republican party. The smokescreen strategies don't work anymore.

On top of everything else dragging them down, this is extremely damaging to the Repukes. The Rove machine can't even deal with it.

[GreenTea]

63. They needed something.

[sadiesworld]

29. You assume that the media would be covering Woodword, etc.

more if it weren't for the Foley scandal. Why is that? They've consistently ignored major stories in favor of fluff, and they can ALWAYS find fluff.

It's not that I don't question the Foley coverage (not fluff and certainly more serious than "naughty" e-mails), it's quite out-of-character. But I don't buy the idea that it's a distraction from more important (known) stories that they would otherwise be covering.

Distraction from the lead-up to a future event? Possibly. I've heard rumors about large numbers of put options placed for 10/6. :scared:

[LaPera]

30. Your right, but, the Sunday talk shows would be talking about it

and interviewing Woodward-Those shows set the tone for the news and topics for the week in the media...Now it will be ALL Foley.

[cynatnite]

31. It's safe to say they'd rather talk about Iraq and 9/11 right now

:evilgrin:

[Little Star]

34. They would never have chosen a sex scandal by

one of their own as a smoke screen. It makes their base angrier than any war or corruption. It is distracting but not in any way they would want. Me, I'll take anything that shows their base they have no clothes. Not to say that i approve of this abominable act committed against HS kids. Those kids are possibly scarred psychologically even if it was only cyber sex and I truly doubt it stopped there.

[LaPera]

35. Suppose the republicans have a Dem set up for a sex scandal...

down the line, before the elections...this is typical Rove shit...He sets things up he twists & makes things up, he projects and he has the media...We don't know what the republicans know and have in store and planned set up and/or smokescreens...I'm saying just be very aware and concerned.

[Little Star]

47. Most of the pugs that want Has-turds head

are screaming "don't try to put the blame on Dems". Heard more than one of them say that on my teevee. Bay Buchanan was one of them. They take this very serious. Hate to say it but so do I.

[LaPera]

48. I'm not saying...

the republicans aren't sucked in too and don't see wrong or perhaps some in the know are playing along, whatever,, Rove has proved to be very slick...We just need to keep on our toes and be aware of all aspects.

[LSK]

36. the Foley resignation GAVE US HIS SEAT

Foleys name STAYS ON THE BALLOT.

[LaPera]

37. A hugely republican area, they are going to run another republican...

anyway - so it remains to be seen what happens in the next 33 or 34 days and who will win that seat...If the republicans knew Foley was going to be exposed before the election, then it was going to happen anyway...They'd just have to run another republican in a strong republican precinct.

[scarletwoman]

39. What we're REALLY being distracted from is the "Torture Bill".

Even here on DU, once the Foley story broke, all of a sudden Foley threads were popping up like mushrooms after a rain -- and, for the most part, considered analysis of the shredding of our Constitution, the Geneva Conventions, and the Magna Carta got lost in the hubbub as the DU herd went stampeding after the latest shiny object.

So, yeah, I'm definitely suspicious of the timing of the Foley revelations -- especially since ABC seems to be indicating (see article on the front page) that this was leaked by Republicans.

With the passing of the "Torture Bill", our country has taken a huge step toward devolving into a totalitarian state -- I can't think of any issue more important and more crucial in regard to raising the awareness of the citizenry. But we're letting it slide because a Repug sex scandal is ever so much more salacious.

sw

[LaPera]

40. Excellent point. And Bush is still calling Dem's weak on terror in speech

after speech...Even after 12 Dem's sold us down the river to look strong on terror...As always Rove/Bush stuck it right back in the Dem's faces...What did those 12 Dem's expect, Bush would go easy on them if they voted with him to give up our rights?

The republicans play hardball, when will the Dem's learn?

Those 12 "Democrats" helped Bush get rid of Habeas Corpus - Can you imagine or believe this?

http://www.lectlaw.com/def/h001.htm

[scarletwoman]

42. Thanks. And I see I'm not the only one taking note of this.

Go read this post at "Red State Son": Lib Porn, which covers much the same ground.

sw

[LaPera]

41. "ABC seems to be indicating that this was leaked by Republicans." Get it?

Yet?

[scarletwoman]

43. Yeah, I get it. That's why I wrote the response I did. :-) (nt)

[LaPera]

44. That's why I started the thread. :-)

I know you get it!!!

[scarletwoman]

45. Well, here I am, doing what I can to keep your thread kicked up... (nt)

:D

[LaPera]

49. Keith Olbermann just alluded to the fact ABC said it wasn't a democrat

who leaked the story...well who does that leave...Your right on it scarletwoman.

[bunny planet]

52. But I think the whistleblower (who it has been said now is a Republican)

came forward now because of the Torture Bill. It was the final straw, a Republican with a conscience had finally had enough. In fact, I think this whole snowball thing is because there are Republicans who are in positions of power, either in the CIA, former CIA, military, ex-military, who were horrified by the naked power grab and trampling on the Constitution and endangering of our troops that the torture bill allowed and said NO MORE. So they might not be talking about the torture bill but it was the catalyst that pissed off a bunch of people Jr. never should have crossed and pissed off in the first place.

[glitch]

57. I think this is a strong possibility.

On what to focus on: for bushbots if you know any it's Foley. For the rest us: it's Habeas Corpus.

Foley erodes their base. Their base could care less about Habeas Corpus.

[Lilith Velkor]

67. Torture bill too scary...let's trash Hugo...look, SEX SCANDAL!!!11

:banghead:

[GreenTea]

46. Kick & Recommend!

:kick:

[never cry wolf]

50. A BIG no

Their base and most of the murican sheeples don't really understand the nuances and complexity of a national security advisor ignoring warnings of 911 and that this fact was not in the 911 commission report...They don't have a clue as to LIHOP and I bet less than 20% of muricans have heard the name of Diebold... none can be explained satisfactorily in a 27 sec sound bite...

Sad, yes... reality, yes...

EVERYONE knows soliciting minors is wrong and covering up for someone who did such a thing is wrong... to the evangelical RW it's not the ages but the gayness... I bet many would be proud to have their 16 yo daughter get bopped by a powerful puke...

There is no news... there is infotainmentnews and sex sells... policy makes viewers reach for the remote...

again, sad... but lets take what we get...

[kster]

51. Good thought, but not this time, they have slipped great books

under the radar screen, time and time again, they have never slipped a child PREDATOR and or ENABLERS, off the radar screen, atleast as far as I remember, this one will stick, THE PROTECTORS, had a CHILD PREDATOR amongst them, my thought they are not going to be able put this one to rest, not any time soon.

[SnowGoose]

53. No, for a very simple reason:

Bush isn't running for re-election. Ever.

The only thing he needs to fear at this point is impeachment/conviction/removal from office.

That would only happen with a very substantial Democratic majority in both houses of Congress, which before this scandal wasn't going to happen (Democratic gains, yes. Even a takeover of one or both houses, very possibly. But not big Democratic majorities.).

The current sex scandal will only increase those Democratic majorities ~ which is *not* what he wants. In fact, it's the only thing that could disrupt his future plans, as he doesn't have to give a rat's ass how popular or hated he is - his agenda is safe as long as he holds the office. If he wants to invade somewhere else, he will just twist the votes Congress has already had (like he did using the vote to use force in Afghanistan as justification for invading Iraq. He could do exactly the same thing with Iran. He doesn't need more authorization. He does what he wants as long as he holds that office - never doubt it for a moment.).

And for what it's worth, I predict no martial law, and no cancellation of elections. He's packing his bags in January of 2009, at the very latest.

[GreenTea]

59. As stated in the thread...Isn't it magically convenient that no other news

is nowhere to be found on the media, coincidence? And what else will this story overshadow...only Rove knows, he knows what coming and what needs to be diverted in the coming weeks on TV...What's the worst that can happen to the republicans, Hastert steps down and Foley goes to jail...not bad considering what's NOT being talked about...Sex will always gets peoples attention...Rove knows this and wants this to ride until he needs to throw something else out and we will all eat that up, every time. We think this is really it, the republicans have fucked up big time...Rove gets stories killed and keeps the stories alive he wants on the MSM...After all Rove knows the Dem’s can’t gay bash…It’s a set up to divert attention…A few great Dem accusations…while the real news is being ignored.

13 more soldiers have died in Iraq the past couple of days, Iraq is in turmoil in civil war, Afghanistan is lost Frist want to turn it over to the Taliban, Rice ignored reports & lied, N Korea wants to test another Nuclear weapon, Bush's torture bill is not being discussed, real issues social issues are being ignored, billions more being appropriated for the occupations for corporate profit as we go further into debt, the long planned World Can’t Wait, ALL being ignored by the media. And if Bush blows up half the world, people will only want to talk about sex and Foley...what is coming next...this story will overshadow it...look at everyone here its all they want to talk about...like always they believe Bush is going down with this one. They get played over & over and they still believe this just accidentally happened, even though it's benefiting BushCo again...Shit in four or five weeks from now even Foley's seat will be in republicans hands a 78% republican district...What will they lose as we are so focused on a sex story...Hastert stepping down...He was probably already being pushed for some big exposure anyway, a few things will pretend to be cleaned up the repugs look good and everything else has and will be ignored, all with a simple leak & smokescreen, it had to be a big sex story to keep our attention, Rove knew that. And the sex story keeps everyone amused, entertained and believing it's real...

I'm trying to make a fierce argument here, I simply happen to agree with the thread....explain where I am wrong, I will listen, I'm no republican.

Your assumption of Bush just leaving in Jan 2009 I'm sure of...But who could BushCo count on to keep the fascism & the crime family alive? Certainly not McCain...he might cave in to what's right same with any other, they can't take a chance...they have it and they aren't just going to let democracy slide back in...They have the voting machines and control, these sick power hungry assholes are not just going to go away as you predict, they've come too far. Who will be the new king, the candidate from nowhere...since they have to keep the empire in family hands as they've done for so many years. They really believe it's their dynasty and their fellow corporate elite.

[SnowGoose]

65. I hear your points, and they are good ones.

You say "...explain where I am wrong" which I can't do, because I don't think you're wrong about anything that is currently possible to know with certainty.

I think the fulcrum of our different views is what we think the consequences of the Foley scandal will be. I hear you saying that in the end, it's really a no-cost scandal - that they might even keep Foley's seat. If you're right about the eventual political effects of this scandal, the rest of your thinking flows very soundly and logically from there.

My thinking comes from my opinion that the Foley scandal *will* in fact have real political costs for the Republicans. I suspect that they'll lose Foley's previously safe seat, because the GOP replacement won't even be on the ballot - those wishing to vote for him will have to write in his name. These are Republicans, after all (sorry, couldn't resist).

But the loss of one seat is unlikely to be such a substantial penalty in the grand scheme. The bigger cost, I'm betting, is the broad-based reduction in GOP voter enthusiasm. From what I've seen of polls, they usually measure registered voters and/or likely voters, and make that distinction. But when I've asked around, it seems that the determination of whether someone is a likely voter is often made by asking if they voted last time, or something similar. I feel pretty confident that this scandal, and *particularly* the apparent attempts of the GOP to cover it up, will affect the turnout of Republican voters in a meaningful (albeit not colossal) way, which may not even be fully apparent in the polls prior to election day.

Then there are those who were already getting fed up with the "culture of corruption", for whom this may tip the balance and actually carry them over the threshold to vote Democratic. We hear almost daily, someone's story of a conservative friend or relative who has said "to hell with 'em, this time I'm voting for the Democrats". I think this is a real trend, and not just an unrelated series of anecdotes.

So summing up, I think the costs will be: 1) loss of one or more Republican seats as a direct consequence of the scandal/coverup; 2) GOP voter loss of enthusiasm leading to loss of actual voting; and 3) a fueling of anger among those somewhat sane Republicans who were already getting pissed off at what the party had become. Items 2 and 3 may (and I think will) tip some of the closer races, and will also require the RNC to funnel additional funds and resources into races they considered fairly safe.

I should stipulate right up front that all my thinking presupposes that the "Diebold Effect" will not simply make up the results out of whole cloth. That, I'll admit, is a pretty big presupposition. But politics isn't really about thinking (as much as that would be nice), it's about "the gut". I see it all around me, I feel it in my gut. People are pissed - lots of people. People who voted Republican in the past. Even before Foley, people were speculating on Democratic majorities in one or more houses. Now? Whoa-nelly. And remember, Democratic majorities are the *only* thing that can derail the Bush agenda. All the (admittedly more substantial) issues you mention that are getting crowed out of the news have *no* effect on Bush. He doesn't have to care how popular he is - short of impeachment, he will do what he wants. Yes, it would be great if people were talking about Habeas, and wars of aggression, etc. But what if they were? People would be mad at Bush, but that wouldn't affect him at all. In his own famous words "Who cares what you think?"

That is why I doubt this was engineered by the Bush cabal. Democratic majorities are the *only* thing that could stand in his way. As I said earlier, you and I disagree about the likely political costs of this (latest) scandal.

Let's hope I'm right on this one. Stranger things have happened (though I can't think of one at the moment).

[rman]

60. sex scandal vs Allowed It To Happen

easy choice.

[dmr]

61. What we needed was a sex story to get people to tune in

to the news - at least that is what I'm hoping is happening right now. Fox News is seeing a decrease in viewership, which is a good thing (Olbermann said he beat Fox this week!!), so hopefully the nation is watching/reading/listening to credible news sources.

The nation is in a foul mood, not only with what Foley has done, but learning that the House leadership chose partisan politics over the safety of our children. To make matters worse for the GOP, we've had nearly a week watching them spin, lie and point fingers to cover their asses.

In this foul mood, if America only half listens to the the other news while Condi, GW, Rummy, Snow and gang spin, lie and point their slimy fingers over the 'State of Denial', I'm hopeful many will start to connect the dots. The news out of Iraq is very, very bad. Bush's* little comma murdered 21 of our soldiers today - men and women who should be home with their loved ones right now.

I just wish there would be more talk about Habeas Corpus - oh, if only last weeks vote was this week ...

[GreenTea]

62. Great post! But guess who's going to take all the fall on this one...

...Hastert...It has to be someone... to convince voter's it was because of Hastert... It was a "do nothing congress" so it was he Hastert, who voluntarily let so much corruption & sex slide by...I see.

Now voters can be assured the republican party is cleaned up and as fresh as snow.

The republicans do eat their own though, don't they...when no longer necessary they kick your ass.

Still, it'a good move by Rove for BushCo.

[DemReadingDU]

64. But, what about the PICTURES

10/3/06 JC Watts in defending Hastert "he didn't know about the GRAPHIC PICTURES....."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2299556


There's more to the Foley story

[RevolutionStartsNow]

66. A sex scandal is always bigger news than lies about war.

So even if this was a plan to "smokescreen" the new revelations about Condi/Tenet, I don't think they needed to do it, and it is backfiring.

Unfortunately, the general public pays way more attention to sex stories than to the real evil machinations of this administration.