The 30 percent doctrine

[UPDATED]

Have you ever wondered just what kinds of ideas lurk in the heads of the 30 percent of Americans who remain devoted to George W. Bush?

Have you asked yourself just what could be going on in the minds of those who still support Bush's war in Iraq, and his management thereof?

Well, here is your answer, in the form of a chain e-mail forwarded to me (FW: What A Letter!) by a friend who counts himself proudly among Bush's most loyal supporters:

"Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001? Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania? Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was "desecrated" when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet? Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia.

I'll care when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi tells the world he is sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called "insurgents" in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights. In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured that I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank that I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed "special" food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being "mishandled," you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts that I don't care.

And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled "Koran" and other times "Quran." Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and - - you guessed it - - I don't care!!!

If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great country.

This is who we face. This is who Bush and the GOP are pandering to.

This is the Republican Party "base" that we heard so much about during the last several election cycles. These are the people who Karl Rove counted on to pull the GOP over the hump last November. These are the people that the Republicans are counting on to put them back in the congressional majority and in the White House in 2008.

Imagine trying to craft a foreign policy that would appeal to people who read the text above and respond with a hearty, "HELL YEAH!!"

I don't envy the Republicans. On one side, they have the growing demand in this country for a smart, responsible foreign policy that does not place us at cross purposes with the entire rest of the world. On the other, they have "Jimmy Crack Corn and -- you guessed it -- I DON'T CARE!" Imagine trying to select a presidential candidate who appeals to this group of people, but does not appall the entire rest of the country. I wouldn't want the job.

The tragedy, though, is that they're trying.

When John McCain delivers the commencement address at Liberty University, this is who he is pandering to.

When Mitt Romney says he was against gay rights and abortion before he was for them, this is who he is selling himself to.

When Sam Brownback says, "forget McCain and Romney, I'm the real deal," this is who he is speaking to.

This is the group, these 30 percenters, to whom the GOP sold itself in exchange for 11 years of political dominance. I wonder if it still feels like such a great deal.

The Republican Party is in serious trouble. These 30 percenters believed it when the GOP told them they were the most important constituency in the country. Now, they expect no less than the first right of refusal on the party's 2008 presidential nominee. If they don't get what they want, they are going to take their votes and go home. If they get what they want, the rest of the American electorate will throw the Republican Party into the ashbin of history. Rock and a hard place.

Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

UPDATE

Speaking of the Pander Bear, McCain says he wants to be friends with James Dobson, who said over weekend that he would never vote for him.

The 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance legislation stifled "Christian radio" and "kept us from telling the truth right before elections," Dobson contended. "He is not in favor of traditional marriage and I pray that we will not get stuck with him."

During a campaign stop in Columbia, S.C., McCain said: "I'm obviously disappointed and I'd like to continue and have a dialogue with Dr. Dobson and other members of the community."

McCain has said gay marriage should not be legal but has angered some conservatives with his opposition to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions. The Arizona senator said the issue should be left to the states.

"I'm happy to say that I've established a dialogue with a number of other leaders," including the Rev. Jerry Falwell, "Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren and Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Yeah, Big John. Good luck with that.