NathanNewman.org: More Rightwing Disaffection

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November 30, 2003

More Rightwing Disaffection

Reacting to a Fred Barnes article- Hey, Big Spenders! criticizing GOP spending, Freepers are actually talking about the advantages of voting Democrat or third party. They'll all mostly end up voting Bush in the end, but it reflects how disaffected many in the base are with GOP corporate welfare-- and will translate to less mobilization at the grassroots.

Of course, the conservatives equate government spending with "liberalism", as if big fat subsidies for agribusiness, pharmaceutical or oil companies has anything to do with progressive values. They just don't want to admit that their corporate allies have rolled them with a bait-and-switch. All the "small government" rhetoric was just campaign rhetoric to pull the rubes in to the tent.

But read a few Freeper comments to warm liberal hearts:

WANT TO CURB federal spending? Replace President Bush with a Democrat. This is not entirely a joke.
Sadly, I have recently begun contemplating voting to do just this.
---
The White House is feeling the pain of small government conservatives.

Oh sure, there must be three or four of us left. One of the things that Bush has done that's made me really angry was how he portrayed a 4% increase in discretionary spending as some kind of austerity program for the government.
----
I don't think Bush realizes just how many of us are angry and voting Third Party. It's JOBS, borders, spending, expanding government, etc. Wake up, GW before it's too late.
----
I won't vote for him. I hate Big Stupid Republican Government.
-----
Look for him to get worse in a second
term when he really feels no need to do anything
to appease conservatives.

He'll really give us the finger then.
-----
I am actually considering voting for Dean, assuming he becomes the Rat nominee. There is something to be said for gridlock.
------
I'm not buying the "lesser of two evils" argument. I'm voting my conscience from now on. I'm going Constitutionalist or libertarian this time around.
------
I celebrated when Bush got elected, and celebrated even more when republicans took control of both houses...its been one disappointment after another since then and I won't be voting for Bush in 2004. Republicans work better as a minority party when they do nothing but block what the democrats try to do...at least then they pretend to care about defecits, debt and huge out of control spending...

Let return the republicans to a minority party and do everyone a favor.
----
I don't see voting for the dem, but I'll not waste my vote on Bush again.(unless Hillary is the opponent.)

Enjoy the meltdown.

Posted by Nathan at November 30, 2003 09:38 AM

Related posts:

Nader is No Progressive Now - Jun 15, 2004

Which Conservative Ideology? - May 24, 2004

What Liberals Ignore - May 19, 2004

Sully Wins "First They Came For..." Award - Mar 19, 2004

A Window into Rightwing Discontent - Feb 12, 2004

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Comments

Just to be fair, though -- there is also a lot of disaffection among Democrats for the leadership of their party. The first word that comes to my mind when I think of the activities of the party that is supposedly representing my interests is "weasels".

I'm not happy about that, either.

Posted by: PZ Myers at November 30, 2003 10:11 AM

Today senator McCain compared the Republican-controlled congress to drunken sailors, referring specifically to their spending habits.

--Kynn

Posted by: Kynn Bartlett at November 30, 2003 01:28 PM

This is more or less how a lot of liberals felt about Clinton at various points--more in his first four years than after he became embattled in his second term and people felt the need to rally around him as the sharks closed in. Right at the outset, the Lani Guinier fiasco and the cave on Don't Ask, Don't Tell caused a lot of social progressives to castigate the administration. Welfare reform, signing idiotic immigration and criminal bills, among other things (quick--which President supported and signed the Defense of Marriage Act) led to further disaffection.

I don't see a right-wing Nader siphoning off votes from Bush next year, but it is conceivable that some of the base won't be out there as energetically. But the big money from those who are receiving corporate welfare will still be there, and if the religious/social conservatives are on board, they'll make more of a difference than the small-government types. Bush has to keep delivering on such things as the Partial Birth Abortion Act and the Federal Marriage Amendment. I've heard rumblings about the social conservatives' feeling as if Bush has been too moderate and needs to prove himself if he wants their grassroots support.

Posted by: J. J. at November 30, 2003 04:01 PM

The problem with people who classify themselves as conservative or liberal is that they are missing the great problem our the value of our country is being destroyed by them both. Fighting over spending like as if they are both children. Everyone wants a hand out whether the big guys with fat paychecks or the little guys who think they are worth everything to there employer. The country is in a financial mess and liberals find gay marriage a significant issue and conservatives worship often the corporations wants; all in all it ends with the same a brooken U.S. that is not what it once was. Maybe if we all tried a little harder not to have hand outs we all would be in better shape.

Posted by: mike tomko at December 2, 2003 02:57 PM

November 30, 2003

More Rightwing Disaffection

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