home

The Terror War's Effect on Voters

By Jeralyn, Section War on Terror
Posted on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 04:20:25 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

The Wall St. Journal (free link) today analyzes how the war on terror affects voters.

The latest research shows that because such violent political acts are brutal reminders of death, they make conservatives, but not liberals, more hostile toward those perceived as different, and more supportive of extreme military policies, according to a study in April in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

Although some voters would feel betrayed by incumbents who failed to protect them, researchers say, these days that trend would more likely be swamped by a surge toward candidates perceived as hawks on national security.

This says to me there will be another October surprise that results in elevating the terror threat. As I've said many times before, the goal of this Administration is to use the war on terror to strike fear in the heart of every American. Fear that will translate into votes. This time around, with all their current problems, they need a doozie. Don't put it past them.

< How Google Invades Your Privacy | "Reds" to Release on DVD >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    The Terror War's Effect on Voters | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#1)
    by bad Jim on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 03:11:53 AM EST
    We've already had a North Korean nuke and Republican gays in Congress. How many more October surprises are we expected to accomodate?

    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 06:27:13 AM EST
    This time around, with all their current problems, they need a doozie. Don't put it past them. They'll think of something. Count on it. They are desperate, and lacking the imagination to think that maybe being honest and truthful with voters and taking responsibility for their fu*kups might actually improve their image instead of lying through their teeth everytime they open their mouths on any subject, they have to think of something. Or roll over and die... Metaphorically speaking. They aren't giving up, and they aren't staying in the corner. Not voluntarily. Think of rabid starving dogs cornered. ---edger

    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 08:39:52 AM EST
    ...says Prof. Solomon. "There is nothing like a terrorist attack to bring thoughts of your own death to the fore. My gut tells me there would be a significant movement toward candidates who describe the U.S. as engaged in a righteous fight against an evil worldview."
    In other words, Solomon concludes that a terror attack will cause people to vote for left leaning candidates who know that the real war on terror is being fought right here every day. Against the gop and the bush admin. Since a terror attack would highlight bush's success in creating more terrorists with his wars and policies. ---edger

    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 08:39:52 AM EST
    Choices for Karl in October: 1. Bomb Iran, base highly approves 2. Bomb North Korea, base highly approves 3. Help Terrorist bomb Hollywood, base goes crazy! 4. Announce DNA proves Bill Clinton is natural father of Michael Jackson's children, base goes crazy! 5. Announce that Hillary Clinton aborted Michael Jackson's love child Base begins talking in tongues, their joy is beyond description, and they vote 100% GOP.

    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 09:43:26 AM EST
    Read more about "Terror Management Theory" and how it has been incorporated into the GOP political strategy...here: www.thoughttheater.com

    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#6)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 04:31:49 PM EST
    they make conservatives, but not liberals, more hostile toward those perceived as different, and more supportive of extreme military policies, according to a study in April in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
    We need to read a study to see that wingnuts are reactionary dumbasses?? We see it right hear several times a day.

    Re: The Terror War's Effect on Voters (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Oct 14, 2006 at 05:40:48 AM EST
    I am reminded of the era we live in from the previous "world war" conducted in the 1940's. Below are memorable quotes that are lessons of history to often forgotten. "Terrorism is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death". - Adolph Hitler "Why of course the people don't want war ... But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship ... Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." - Hermann Goering, Nazi leader. "The easiest way to gain control of a population is to carry out acts of terror. [The public] will clamor for such laws if their personal security is threatened". - Josef Stalin Need I say anymore. Sound and feel familiar today? regards Dan Bostdorf

    The Terror War's Effect on Voters | 7 comments (7 topical)