It's Still the Economy
Working family economics ignored by Republicans
It's a political season with so much at stake.
Control of the house and senate, and the issues lawmakers will face in the next two years, hangs in the balance. That means the high cost of prescription drugs, good schools, good jobs, secure retirements and workers' rights — family economics — should be on candidates' lips.
We're worried about terrorism, too. But respondents to an Associated Press poll in September listed the economy, education and health care as the top issues voters want to hear about from congressional candidates.
But it's war against Iraq we're hearing about from Republicans, from President Bush on down to many congressional candidates.
“The newly bellicose mood that permeates this White House is unfortunate, all the more so because it is clearly motivated by campaign politics,” U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., said.” Republicans are already running attack ads against Democrats on Iraq.”
That strategy may not be working. An early October poll by the New York Times/CBS News showed that most people planned to vote based on candidates' positions on the economy, and 70 percent said they would prefer to hear candidates talk about improving the economy rather than war with Iraq.
Republicans don't seem to hear the message. So let's say it one more time loud and clear: It's still the economy … and we're not stupid.
