Burnt Orange Report

March 25, 2004

Democrats for Bush?

By Byron LaMasters

Well, there's Zell Miller, a former Florida Lieutenant Governor during the 1980s, then after that, the number three "Democrat" for Bush is an obscure former Missouri Bollinger County Commissioner. Wow. What a high profile list. The Bush-Cheney Campaign reports:

Today, U.S. Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) and Democrats from across the country joined together in support of President Bush's re-election efforts. This event is one of many events scheduled by the campaign designed to energize and inform the nation's voters and grassroots activists who have shown overwhelming support for President Bush.

"I have been a Democrat all my life and I will be until my last day on Earth, but right now this president is the guy I support," stated Miller. "The direction the Democrats are headed is not based on what is good for America but what is good for the party, and at historic times like these, Americans deserve more."

After two terms as governor of Georgia, Miller is currently Georgia's senior senator serving his first term. John Wayne Mixson, Lieutenant Governor during Bob Graham's administration, and Ken Threntham, a former Missouri Bollinger County Commissioner, also participated in the events this afternoon.

It's tough now that they can't include Ralph Hall. He was every Republicans favorite Demcrat. As for Zell Miller, the man is a disgrace and a hypocrite. Three years ago, Zell Miller had nothing but praise for John Kerry (via kos):

Miller has not always been so dismissive of Kerry. At the Georgia Democratic Party’s Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in 2001, he introduced Kerry as “one of this nation’s authentic heroes, one of this party’s best-known and greatest leaders — and a good friend.”

In remarks reported in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Miller continued, “In his 16 years in the Senate, John Kerry has fought against government waste and worked hard to bring some accountability to Washington.” Miller said Kerry “fought for balanced budgets before it was considered politically correct for Democrats to do so.”

Now, the tone is quite different. Not only does Miller wholeheartedly endorse George W. Bush, but he goes on the attack against Senator Kerry, and at times directly contradicts his comments in 2001:

SENATOR MILLER: Thank you, Marc. I appreciate your kind introduction, and I appreciate even more your efforts to re-elect President Bush.

[...]

I am honored to stand squarely with President George W. Bush as he leads America at this defining moment in our history. The road that brought me here today is paved with a lot of frustration, but also a lot of hope.

[...]

Senator Kerry doesn’t make any secret of the fact that he wants to bring more money into Washington so that he can decide how to spend it.

In his first one hundred days in office, John Kerry’s massive health care plan would force him to raise taxes by as much as $900 billion. And the only way he’s going to get that kind of money is if he reaches into the wallet of every man and woman in America.

His spending and tax plan would stifle our economy and stall our recovery.

On one hand, Zell Miller credits John Kerry for cutting government waste and bringing accountability to government. On the other, Zell Miller attacks John Kerry for an irresponsible spending plan (no mention of the current Bush deficits, though) and unaccountability. Which one is it, Zell?

Can we just kick him out of the Democratic caucus? It's one thing to be a Blue Dog. I may not agree with people like Charlie Stenholm or Chet Edwards or Max Sandlin or Jim Turner, etc. all the time, but I'm damn glad to have them in Congress. From liberal districts, we should have liberal Democratic congressmen, for conservative and moderate districts, I'm happy to see Blue Dog and conservative Democrats win. But Zell Miller's antics are getting old. Can anyone.... anyone, please, name ONE thing that he has done in the past year or two to justify the "D" behind his name? Anything?

Posted by Byron LaMasters at March 25, 2004 09:33 AM | TrackBack

Comments

Well, that's why they call him Zig-Zag Zell. he started out working for Lester Maddox, the last segregationist to win the Georgia governorship, then did sixteen years as lite-guv of Georgia. when he ran for Governor, everyone said he was "too liberal" for Georgia, and that the young, conservative ROY BARNES was a better nominee. And Zell trashed everyone by backin' a lottery for education, barely gets reelected governor, but immediately has the best approval rating of any governor in America by 1995. Then to the Senate in 1999, appointed by now-too-liberal GOv. Roy Barnes, where he hangs a voting record just to the right of Jesse Helms.

Zig-Zag Zell, always one step ahead of the Georgia majority . . .

Posted by: Keith G at March 25, 2004 01:27 PM

Dems should really call Zell out on this one. I see he is going on Repug talking points with the 900 billion thing. Can't wait to see both Zell and Dubya leave, out country will be better off without them.

Posted by: Tek_XX at March 25, 2004 03:47 PM

Miller once yelled at CBS for making fun of hillbillies. that was the one positive thing he has ever done.

Posted by: Leodem at March 25, 2004 06:58 PM

The expression "Democrat for Bush" is indeed an oxymoron.

Posted by: Tim Z at March 26, 2004 12:10 AM

Zig Zag Zell… even better, FLIP FLOP KERRY. What do you mean lack of healthcare? Bush is the "Democrat".. he passed healthcare.. something the “democrats” haven't done! Bush campaigned to pass healthcare and he stuck to his word. Besides I don’t like this democrap and republicant terminology. Bush is more Democratic than Republican.

But the real question is who can we get TRUTH, leadership, and TRUST??? Kerry has had was it 9 different positions on Iraq? Also,
• He voted for the Patriot Act, now he is against it.
• He was for the Iraq war, now he is against it
• He voted for the No Child Left Behind Act, now he is against it.
• He voted for marriage, now he is doing otherwise.

These were some big issues, some important ones. He is quite flip floppy it seems. How can I find any truthfulness in Kerry? What about trust? Tell me what kind of LEADERSHIP is this!!? I don’t know this man.. his personality, or what he is thinking. I don’t know what he stands for.. is this just for the votes? To be different from Bush? Tell me why I should trust him??? Even back then, Vietnam, he turned on that, it still shows doesn’t it?

Hey you “Republicans” maybe I should call you democrats, you think Bush is a true Republican?? Well why did government grow under him when he promised to reduce it? What was up with giving “citizenship” to ILLEGAL Mexicans? This sounds like “Red” Davis. And what is healthcare doing around with a Republican?

Well we can’t have a perfect candidate this time.. but I have to be able to trust a candidate at least don’t you agree? At least Bush tells it like it is and has leadership. He is actually trustworthy (except for gov’t spending). But weighing the differences there is just about absolute distrust one can have with Kerry. Look at the bullets above.. that is just no good.

Hey I am only 19 years old, I am in my 3rd year of hardcore liberal college, and a son of a Vietnam Veteran. I can get this through my head.. what else do I need? And sure I am open to suggestions. But you have to answer the question, how can we trust Kerry? That is the question not Zigy Zell and Democrat Bush. Come on, give it a shot.

Posted by: Danny at September 29, 2004 02:40 AM

News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas

March 25, 2004

Democrats for Bush?

By Byron LaMasters