Ahh, "big-picture" politics. The situation looks all too familiar - every time the Republican party wants to push something through (or win elections) their formula is pretty simple:
stupid rules... More after the flop...
- Identify a related issue that will simultaneously resonate with the base AND piss the liberals off, because the best way to rally core conservatives it to pit them against the dreaded liberals. We will react accordingly (we always do) and the ensuing battle will carry a GOP push-plan (akin to the push-poll methodology) to "news" status. Then create a roadmap that will provide several options for exploiting that issue to achieve the desired result. Hint: it isn't ever about the issue itself. You think they really care about Tery Shiavo? A carefully crafted plan for success objectively considers all possible outcomes and how to exploit those outcomes. This is where the republican party has us nailed, and we need to learn from it now more than ever.
- "Bait" an unsuspecting public by feigning outrage over the issue no matter how inconsequential or out of left field it may seem. For example, to help win the 2005 election the republican party knew they needed something big, and something divisive. They successfully baited us and their own constituents with the gay marriage issue and like fools we rushed in, pushed the issue, and one or two places even tried to pass pro-marriage laws (such as my home - S.F.). Good for us, it was the right thing to do, but the repugs knew what they were doing. "See? The liberals want to codify homosexuality! We MUST stop this." Mission accomplished. Create an issue where none existed before. Terry Shiavo, anyone? How many people were yanked off of life support this year? Odd that they would pluck one case at random...
- Suddenly, legislation is drafted (or similar) directly related to that issue. This legislation (or related) is used to bring people to the polls where they otherwise wouldn't give a flying fuck, or to gain support for an untenable and outrageous plan, such as installing gasp! activist right wing judges.
- Abandon the issue once your true goal is achieved, because after all, who REALLY wants to change the constitution or force people to live in pain beyond their natural term? It wasn't about that. Each and every time, the core conservatives get pissed and swear off the repug party, but they just keep comin' back. After all, they sure as fuck aren't going to vote for some damned Massachusetts librul!
My point is this. The Terry Shiavo case is NOT about Terry Shiavo, never was. It is about getting wingnut judges confirmed, and gearing up for that ensuing battle. Like the gay marriage issue, we ruffled our feathers, raised money, fought hard, did what we do best. And the republicans were laughing all the way to the bank because they knew we were missing the
real issue and had played right into their hand. As an added bonus, we are so tied up fighting these non-issues that they have plenty of time to plan their next "gem" and forever stay one step ahead of us.
We need to quit taking the bait, lead the charge ourselves, and see things more clearly. Even though they appear to have lost the Shiavo debate, they still win because now they are all on national TV, alerting their base to the "need" to replace justice with bias, and oh! By the way! We have some judicial appointments coming up. How convenient and coincidental...