Bush and Rove the only Rupugs left who think the the GOP will win

[ECH1969]

Amid widespread panic in the Republican establishment about the coming midterm elections, there are two people whose confidence about GOP prospects strikes even their closest allies as almost inexplicably upbeat: President Bush and his top political adviser, Karl Rove.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are bracing for losses of 25 House seats or more. But party operatives say Rove is predicting that, at worst, Republicans will lose only 8 to 10 seats -- shy of the 15-seat threshold that would cede control to Democrats for the first time since the 1994 elections and probably hobble the balance of Bush's second term.

The question is whether this is a case of justified confidence -- based on Bush's and Rove's electoral record and knowledge of the money, technology and other assets at their command -- or of self-delusion.

Taylor, an Iowa native and protege of Mehlman's, said the administration recognized long ago that this would be a difficult campaign, coming in the sixth year of a presidency. "History suggests this will be a tough year for us," she said. "But at some point, the weight of our structural advantages makes up ground.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/14/AR2006101401051_pf.html
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Rove and Bush are the only ones who haven't faced reality yet, but they will unless the fix is in.

[Helga Scow Stern]

1. They may be planning on stealing it again

after all, they now have the power to smash any dissent, as of Monday.

Who knows what will happen, however? Rove may not be as smart as he himself thinks he is.

[Zangal]

2. Don't forget

Bob Perry and these guys

[newyawker99]

12. Hi Zangal!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[doh_phooey]

3. they've got "happy feet"

[doh_phooey]

15. gotta dance!

[Tom Joad]

4. They only say that to limit damage. They know better...

but if the Republican leaders acknowledge they will lose, it will further discourage Republican turnout, and make it even worse for them.

[still_one]

5. No they are not the only ones

Wall Street also believes they will retain control

Nothing should be taken for granted, and the ONLY way to insure victory is voter turnout

Unlike most midterms, this is more than about local state issues, it is a referendum on the bush administration policies

There is no ambiguity or excuse this time. People know what the stakes are. Even those who do not vote know what the stakes are.

If the Democrats win the house it would be a turning point, however, if the Democrats win both the House AND the Senate, it would be a massive condemnation of the policies of this administration, and the Republican Congress

[fooj]

8. Wall Street had an article that claimed the economy would be

better off if the dems gained power. That was certainly a surprise.

[Lexingtonian]

6. well, they do have that bizarre belief

in "willpower" and "determination" and being on a mission from God :eyes: (in the case of Dubya).

Rove still has some credit with the Devil, so I guess he's counting on a contribution from the Nether Regions on Election Day.... :-)

[fooj]

7. Don't forget Darth Dickhead.

He's confident they will maintain both houses.:grr:

[Nikki Stone 1]

9. I predict we'll take the Senate but lose the House

...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

10. In the face of all this polling, the only reason they'd feel this way is:

1) They know election "results" will not reflect pre-election polling or exit polls (i.e. the fix is in)

2) They are deluded

3) They have a potent "October Surprise" in store, over which they have complete control, which they are confident will sway the vote, or at least provide a plausible cover story for a stolen election

4) They are expecting to lose but trying to put a good face on things pre-election just because. They feel it might minimize damage, or they just feel it's their job to say upbeat things.

[Justice Is Comin]

11. The reason is they're demented. They truly live in a parallel universe.

But they should look at the ending of the movie Princess Bride because their mafia castle has been breached and we're taking out the garbage.

[bj2110]

14. Wrong. Thinking the enemy is clueless is extremely dangerous.

[bj2110]

13. Probabilities of each being the truth:

1) 75%

2) 0%

3) 20%

4) 5%


This administration knows how to succeed in their own demonic ways. They are not deluded. They are not "putting on a good face". The real questions are these:

1) Is the public sentiment turned far enough to the dems to prevent a stealth election fix?

2) What possible "October surprise" can actually close this gap in the face of a homosexual sex scandal with only 3 weeks to go?


The Dem party needs to focus on these two questions a play a prevent defense starting now.

[doh_phooey]

16. if they do win

America loses

:(

[deutsey]

17. Just remember how "confident" they were that they won Florida