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July 29, 2004
Nice Rationalization, Gramps
Last night after the Edward speech MSNBC turned to GOP pollster Frank Luntz's dog-and-pony show to get the reaction from Middle America.
The first thing you might say is "Oh, so you're one of the 12 people who watch MSNBC." Well, not usually, but the combined size of the craniums of Chris Matthews and Tim Russert is somewhat mesmerizing, like a piece of aluminum foil to a crow. Plus, I'm fascinated by the squintiness of Joe Scarborough. Well, that and the fact that he has a job as a talking head even after a female intern was found dead in his office when he was a congressman. Does he have dirty picures of Leno with the dead intern?
Anyway, Luntz replays the part of the Edwards speech where he talks about Kerry volunteering to go into harms' way in 'Nam and he has the boner-meter or whatever it is on the screen (do they attach electrodes to the genitals and/or nipples of the participants?). The collective boner of the registered Republicans in the room actually slightly surpassed the D/I voters during that portion, 83-80.
Luntz was astonished. He'd never seen the boner-meter go that high for both parties. Afterwards, he went around the room and asked people what their thoughts were. Most people were impressed with a presidential candidate who actually volunteered to sail up the Dolong River or whatever, in search of Marlon Brando's stick of butter. One grizzled ole codger who looked like he probably rode with the Rough Riders found a way to rationalize his support for Bush.
Roughly quoting: "Well, Bush volunteered to run for president and you risk your life when you do that, too."
Posted by Half-Cocked at July 29, 2004 10:38 PM