I followed this as it happened, and it was stunning.
The reaction of the extreme right (as represented by the representative cross-section on FreeRepublic) to the death of Terri Schaivo and President Bush's subsequent statement was instant and furious. They got into a whopping fight with one another, and directed an intense amount of anger and frustration at the Bushes. I haven't seen them break ranks like this since before they took Congress in 1994. Here's what I saw:
(see below, if you dare delve into the minds of the freepers...)
Their initial reaction was much like ours. Sadness, a sense of loss... even some poetry. I give them credit for a brief flash of humanity. But the sarcasm and bitterness began right away. Their responses can be grouped into 4 categories:
1. Expressions of Sadness
Rest in peace, Terri.
At least she has gone home...
The body they may kill,
God's Truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever
-- Martin Luther
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
And so on. Touching, really. But there wasn't very much of this, sadly, as they started to turn on the President right away. That's our next category:
2. Bush has betrayed us!
What's he going to say, "I care more for law than life and morality"?
In our opinion, you speak when there is something you can do to lead, you be quiet when you have failed to lead. You hang your head in shame.
I bet we are going to get a lecture on "healing after the long debate".
What good is he? Could have sent in the Federal marshals at 3am and saved this semi-saint. Semi-saint??? Let's see how long GW goes without water.
Moron. Absolute fair weather moron.
It's a little late for talking about her now, President Bush.
Shame on Jeb too. You fell short. No guts, no glory. Not that you need glory but that's the expression
Yesterday he had a bully pulpit. Today it is nothing but a soapbox to politic from.
Mr. President, there's nothing you can say to smooth over or whitewash that national disgrace that happened under your watch. Your public surrender to the liberal judges hard to watch, perhaps almost as repulsive as watching this innocent woman slowly starve to death while you did your best immitation of a Frenchman.
Wow! It got better when Bush took to the airwaves:
Why is he talking about the war on terror?
Switching over to duty to defend the US. I think he's done talking about Terri.
911 & WMD??? WTF?
The President's comments on Terri's murder were stiff and insincere, in my opinion.
I wish I had my vote back!
I voted for him because I thought he would be different. He is no different than any of our self-serving politicians.
President needs to figure out this public speaking thing - he went right from Terri Schiavo's death to 9/11 in the same breath/sentence. Not a clear way to get your thoughts out to the people.
I am stunned that he drew no connection between our soldiers' defense of American lives and the duty of our government to do the same. How disappointing.
Yes. I will remember this for what he did not say.
I don't understand; that's it? That's all he's going to say about the whole thing?
This is the worst speech he has ever given, bar none. His polls will continue to drop and the talking heads will continue to ignore the real cause, instead attributing it to Social Security reform or the war in Iraq.
I hate to say it, but the political impact is there will never be another Bush elected anywhere, ever. After a brief statement on "culture of life", President Bush is standing next to Chuck Robb talking about intelligence reform now. This is not the time to try to change the subject. Governor Bush's statement was equally weak. What a shame, leadership is needed. The ball has been dropped and they will not recover from this.
Sorry about the length of the quote, but as you can see, it's worth reading! They have never turned on him like this.
There were some who rose to his defense, however, and here they are:
3. We Still Love You, George/It's Everybody Else's Fault
To all those with snide remarks about President Bush: Show some respect, please!
W did all he could--within the law.
Ditto. What I am thinking right now -how Michael and his ghoulish lawyer outpowered the Pres/Gov/Congress etc makes me boil. Nothing can be said now-she's gone and she died without her mother and father there to see her out because of that horrible Michael. I hope he gets his and soon!
Too bad there wasn't some banning early on.
I have nothing but love and respect for President Bush and his brother too.
President Bush was not president 15 years ago. Hell, he wasn't president 6 years ago. EVERYTHING that happened in her final days was too little, too late.
I think Fox news led us on a bit here. Giving us the impression that the POTUS was going to talk about Ms Schindler at length.
That's it. I love President Bush but I think he and Jeb blinked, unnecessarily. Having said that, the people of Florida have ceded control of this to the death lobbyists. If they want the law changed back, they need to get busy, now while the political will is there.
Then they ate each other.
4. You Suck! Die!
It only took you 3 posts to reveal yourself as pond scum.
Yes, a bloody shootout would have been perfect. What a bunch of reactionary losers these posts bring out.
Wow....there's a lot of people I normally respect speaking from anger on this thread.
Nitwit. Clone. Are you a government employee or have you ever gotten a government paycheck?
No doubt you now see John Kerry as your kind of guy. Next time you'll get your chance, vote for Hilary.
And so on.
A few calls for reason were made, but were ignored.
And that's it. The thread is now "locked" and I don't think they're talking about it anymore.
Incredible, isn't it? The GOP is starting to come apart...