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archived: 20 - 26 Mar, 2005 Back Next
UPDATED: March 22, 2004
BLOWBACK, BUT WHICH WAY
It is hard to understand. Most states have laws protecting the individual’s right to a natural death. As noted in BUSH WATCH today, even Bush, as Governor of Texas, signed such legislation.
Republicans elevated Terri Shciavo’s case to a “federal issue” in the face of strong public opposition:
An ABC News poll conducted on Sunday found a 63 percent to 28 percent majority supporting removal of Ms. Schiavo's feeding tube. The poll also found that the public, by a margin of 70 percent to 27 percent, opposes Congressional involvement in the case. Fully 67 percent of the poll's participants thought members of Congress were more focused on using the Schiavo case for political advantage than on the principles involved.
The ABC poll tracks with a new Gallup poll and a Fox News survey in early March in which 59 percent of respondents said they would end Ms. Schiavo's life support if they were her guardian. Such wide margins in nationwide surveys reflect broad bipartisan support. The ABC survey had a 54 percent majority of conservatives and a 61 percent majority of Republicans supporting the decision to remove the feeding tube. – New York Times
There is proof certain that Republicans elevated Schiavo’s predicament to the federal level for partisan political gain.
Yet, Democrats simply did not show up on the issue. Once the deal was struck that Republicans could advance legislation permitting federal court review in this case only, Democrats failed to challenge the partisan political play of the Republicans.
Andrew Kohut has authored a wonderful analysis of the Democratic Party response in the New York Times:
Many Democrats did not show up for the vote and those who did were split.
While there were probably more votes of conscience in Congress on the bill than the public thinks, it is also pretty clear that the Christian conservative movement now has the clout on life-and-death issues to do what the National Rifle Association has done for years on gun control. Strengthened by the results of the November elections, the movement can convey to legislators that the intensity of their constituents' beliefs is more important than the balance of national public opinion. Swayed by this reasoning, more than a few Democrats may be more interested in moving to the right on moral values than in staking out the middle of the political landscape.
The problem with this strategy for the Democrats, and even perhaps for many Republicans, is that Americans have a strong pragmatic streak. While most Americans may say they believe in creationism rather than evolution, on issues that directly affect their own lives, like health and protection of the quality of life, science wins. – New York Times
All of which leads to a serious question; who should the American public hold accountable? A Republican Party that would use the tragedy of Terri Schiavo for political gain or a Democratic Party that did not stand and fight. If the blowback from the Schiavo case lands on the Democrats, one should not wonder why.
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UPDATED: March 22, 2005
NOW WE'RE TALKING
Democrat Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, hits a home run this past week in “framing” the Republicans on veterans’ issues.
"While we the governors do all we can for our vets and our returning soldiers, our federal government has the primary responsibility for meeting the needs of our veterans," Gov. Ed Rendell said in his party's weekly radio address. "And that's why I find the president's budget cuts for critical veterans services to be unconscionable."
In his budget, President Bush has proposed charging certain veterans a $250 annual registration fee and raising from $7 to $15 the copayment those veterans pay for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs. The budget also would cut $293.5 million by limiting the veterans whose care in state-operated veterans homes is reimbursed by the federal government.
"During this time of war, it is absolutely the wrong time for our federal government to step back from any of its commitment to our veterans," Rendell said. "To do so would be penny-wise but pound-foolish." -- PhillyBlurbs
In poll conducted March 7, 2005, Americans were asked to, based on dollars; indicate whether they would increase or decrease spending in various governmental sectors. Some 63% of Americans indicated that they would increase spending for veterans benefits as this chart documents: -- PIPA
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Bush’s cuts of veterans’ benefits are garnering mainstream media coverage. The Raleigh News & Observer featured an article this week, front page. The headline; Veterans homes face cuts:
Bush plan would reduce much of federal funding for state-run nursing facilities
One son said of his father who is in a veterans’ home:
"He did his duty, he came back and never sought any VA benefits except a VA loan, and here, at the end of his life ...," Tisdale's voice trailed off. "Here we are, fighting a war, and are you going to cut benefits from those who fought earlier wars to pay for this one?
"I just don't see the logic."
The White House Press Office referred questions about the cuts in the proposed fiscal 2006 budget to the White House Office of Management and Budget, which in turn referred them to the federal VA. – News & Observer
Democrats should be telling Americans that unlike Bush, the Democratic Party will take the call, and preserve veterans’ benefits.
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SOCIAL SECURITY
Democrats are winning the debate on Social Security as this Gallup Poll suggests:
A new Gallup Poll released today finds what Frank Newport, its director, calls a “surprising drop in Americans’ approval of the way Congress is handling its job.”
A poll completed last week found only 37% of American approve of Congress' job performance, down from 45% just one month ago, and its lowest rating since 1999. “My guess,” Newport reports, “is that congressional approval is suffering from a generalized reaction to the bickering about Social Security.”
In the same poll, only 42% said they were “satisfied with the way things are going in the U.S.” This is down from 45% in February. A closer look finds a dramatic partisan divide, with 69% of Republicans saying they are satisfied and only 18% of Democrats.
At the same time, President Bush’s approval rating stands at 52%, the same as last month.
Asked to rank the biggest problems facing the country, 28% mentioned various economic problems, 25% the war in Iraq, 12% Social Security, and 9% terrorism or health care. Among the issues mentioned by less than 1%: the energy crisis, gay issues, abortion, racism. – Editor & Publisher (emphasis added)
Other polling services are tracking the results of the Newsweek poll. Republicans are vulnerable on the issue and Democrats simply have to keep making the case against Bush’s policy.
WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS?
Last Update: 03/23/2006
