I am a bit Confused On this Schiavo Thing

[JackD76]

Why did people on the right not support bush on this one? I know why must of us didn't but this seems like something that the republicans would be backing 100% but only about 20% of them supported bush on this one. Why did the republicans make up their own minds on this issue?

[ohio_liberal]

1. Because there were a few sane ones....

They were quiet, but sane, and refused to go along with the madness.

[RobertSeattle]

2. Cuz everyone dies

[Sparkle]

3. Very unusual isn't it?

Only the cuckiest of the right wing supported Bush on this.

[libertypirate]

It was clearly shallow and everyone saw through it.

[meegbear]

4. Be confused no more ....

A majority of people look at this issue as a private matter. And with the right always saying they want gov't out of their lives, this situation a perfect example of gov't being in the middle of it.

[Dookus]

5. Because

Tom Delay and his cohorts were in a very small minority on this issue. Most people believe that a) it's wrong to keep people alive in that state indefinitely, b) they themselves would not want to be kept that way and c) the government has no business getting involved.

The Republicans thought they could turn this into a partisan issue, and they were very wrong. They ended up picking a fight with nobody and losing anyway.

[Ripley]

9. Lol!

Funniest line I've read about this debacle...

They ended up picking a fight with nobody and losing anyway.

Thanks! :D

[Dookus]

11. glad you liked it

but I think that's exactly what happened.

I was pissed when the Dems didn't block them in Congress, but I think this result is much better. Even though I disagree with Jesse Jackson vehemently on this, his contribution shows that this is NOT a partisan issue. I think Delay et. al. REALLY thought they could turn this into a Dem/Repub fight, and the dems didn't take the bait.

[Ripley]

13. Agreed.

The Dems time to get involved would have only been if Jeb! stormed the hospice and removed her.

They shot themselves in both feet on this one.

[Inland]

6. Because they can be in the same situation.

They and their families actual experience this sort of thing themselves. They are going to get old, get sick. Everyone will be in something like this unless they are hit by a bus.

Unlike being poor or non-christian or gay, this could happen and they don't want Tom Delay parachuting into the hospital room and telling them that the person, relative has to be kept on the feeding tube for more than 15 years without hope.

People were scared shitless about ending up like Terri.

[iamjoy]

7. No Election Or Legacy Is At Immediate Stake

I mean, during the campaign they had to seem to support him without question.

But, the rest of the time, they are going to have their own opinion and may or may not shout it.

Besides, I think most Republicans are more like Libertarians on many issues (with some neo-Con thrown in when it comes to national defense). It is just the Fundamentalists have such a strong hold on the party and are the loudest voices you wouldn't know it.

[ComerPerro]

8. Because the rest of them will vote for Bush anyway

So the Republicans knew that if they alienated the moderates with this issue (which was essential to shore up the fundies) they could reel them back in with empty rhetoric about terrorism and tax cuts.

[BlueEyedSon]

10. Conservatives historically dislike gov't intervention in private lives. nt

[_TJ_]

12. Maybe they were afraid a 'culture of life'

might result in fewer guns, no death penalty, and no illegal wars ;)

[beyurslf]

14. Because almost every family has had to make decisions like this regarding

a family member. And I think most people are horrified at the thought of making that decision for the whole country to review and at the oversight of the govt. It is one of the most intensly personal decisions any family ever makes and no one should be forced to do what Michael Schiavo has been forced to do.

[Finder]

15. Real Republicans are taking the party back...

from the fundies and neocons. the next couple of years should be interesting.

[Just Me]

16. Prolly 'cause the radicals overstepped their limited authority,...

,...and did so for political gain via manipulation by jumping on the anti-choice bandwagon.

It was the absolutely most repulsive act of opportunism EVER. It was an evil act that defied so many fundamental American values and laws that,...well,...it was an evil act.