One silver lining to the drug bill's passage

[bluestateguy]

Many have compared this drug bill for Bush bill to Clinton's welfare bill in 1996: both bills were opposed by the ideological bases of their parties (Limbaugh opposes this bill, btw); both bills were drafted with the purpose of trespassing onto an issue traditionally dominated by the other party in the middle of an election year. Will things be different this year? Maybe. If you remember the Welfare bill passed by the Gingrich Congress was handed to Clinton in August of 1996. He hemmed and hawed, but then signed it with great fanfare and a big bill-signing ceremony. At that point there was really no way he could lose the election any more. He had proven himself to be a "New" Democrat. Bush will sign this drug bill after Thanksgiving, I sure with a big bill signing ceremony that will be scheduled on a day when it can dominate the headlines (unless a bunch of soldiers are killed in Iraq or something). December of 2003 is a lot farther away from election day than August of 1996. While I'm sure Rove will hammer away at this shamelessly during the campaign, there is enough time between now and then to ensure that 1) people may find out that this bill is not all it is cracked up to be and 2) the nation will be likely to move on to other issues. I'm not saying don't worry about it, but don't throw in the towel either.

[bluestateguy]

1. kick

:kick:

[Norbert]

2. Let's hope the seniors are as pissed off in 11 months

as they are now. It would be nice to see 25% of the voting population become to the Repubs what the south is to the Democrats.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. The Republicans will not let older voters forget about this

TV ads, radio ads, and direct mail will remind them that was Bush that pushed for this.

The bill certainly has its flaws. But who are older voters going to believe, the AARP or the Democratic nominee for for President. It will be a hard case to argue when 1/4 of senate Democrats voted for this.