re: #156 ShanghaiEd

Katrina was another big turning point, I agree. Which demographic do you think it “turned” the most, and why?

The people who thought Bush and/or GOP would keep us safe. The people who thought Republicans are practical, and good managers, and Homeland Security was a well-oiled machine, ready to respond to any event that may arise. The people who thought Bush had a grasp of the details, that he was “the CEO president.” The people who believed his speeches and press releases about Iraq, until they saw for themselves that his speeches and press releases about New Orleans didn’t match what was on their TV. The people who thought he made wise appointments (“heckuva a job, Brownie!”).

The people who thought cutting his vacation short for Terry Schaivo was evidence of his deep concern for every American life, that he’d usurp state authority when people were in need — and then discovered that one thirsty woman who happened to be a religious right cause celebre outweighed tens of thousands of thirsty women in a city that never voted Republican anyway. (I never thought his disinterest was racially motivated — just that NOLA is full of Dems).