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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on July 30, 2004, at 0:39:41
'Fahrenheit 9/11' Making GOP Nervous
by Mike Glover / Associated PressDES MOINES, Iowa - Republicans initially dismissed "Fahrenheit 9/11" as a cinematic screed that would play mostly to inveterate Bush bashers. Four weeks and $94 million later, the film is still pulling in moviegoers at 2,000 theaters around the country, making Republicans nervous as it settles into the American mainstream.
"I'm not sure if it moves voters," GOP consultant Scott Reed said, "but if it moves 3 or 4 percent it's been a success."
Two senior Republicans closely tied to the White House said the movie from director Michael Moore is seen as a political headache because it has reached beyond the Democratic base. Independents and GOP-leaning voters are likely to be found sitting beside those set to revel in its depiction of a clueless president with questionable ties to the oil industry.
"If you are a naive, uncommitted voter and wander into a theater, you aren't going to come away with a good impression of the president," Republican operative Joe Gaylord said. "It's a problem only if a lot of people see it."
Based on a record-breaking gross of $94 million through last weekend, theaters already have sold an estimated 12 million tickets to "Fahrenheit 9/11." A Gallup survey conducted July 8-11 said 8 percent of American adults had seen the film at that time, but that 18 percent still planned to see it at a theater and another 30 percent plan to see it on video.
More than a third of Republicans and nearly two-thirds of independents told Gallup they had seen or expected to see the film at theaters or on video.
"Fahrenheit 9/11" opened in June mainly in locally owned arts theaters that specialize in obscure films and tiny audiences. Drawn in part by the buzz surrounding the film, people packed the theaters and formed long lines for tickets. Within a week, it was appearing in chain-owned theaters along with "Spider-Man 2," "The Notebook" and other big summer attractions.
When he sat down to watch the film at the Varsity Theater in Des Moines last weekend, Rob Sheesley didn't harbor anti-Bush feelings. Two hours later, he left with conflicted emotions.
"You want to respect the president," Sheesley said. "It raised a lot of questions."
Bush's leadership in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks had impressed retired teacher Lavone Mann, another Des Moines moviegoer. After watching the film, Mann wanted to know more about its claims.
"I guess that I think it makes me want to pursue how much of it is accurate and not just get carried away with one film," she said. "I don't hear Bush and (Vice President Dick) Cheney saying that this is incorrect."
Retired college professor Dennis O'Brien, a Bush voter in 2000 and a movie buff who has seen other Moore films, said "Fahrenheit 9/11" hasn't changed his view of Bush but may well serve a larger purpose by sparking debate.
"Moore forces you to think about the role of oil in the politics of American life," O'Brien said. "This goes back a long way."
In GOP-strong Columbia, S.C., watching the movie last week at the Columbiana Grande tipped 26-year-old David Wood's support more to the left.
"I don't consider myself a Republican or a Democrat. I just vote for whoever is right for the job," the University of South Carolina student said. "I think most people don't bother to really research, and all they need is something popular to sway them."
Others at the screening in Columbia were put off by what they saw as the film's biased approach to examining Bush and the reasons he took the country to war. For Scott Campbell, 19, the movie reinforced his apathy toward politics.
"We didn't even stay to see the whole thing," Campbell said. "It was one-sided."
Former Iowa Republican Chairman Michael Mahaffey said the movie's impact could be dulled over time. "It's July," he said. "Conventional wisdom will change completely every four or five weeks."
Still, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is likely to gain an even wider audience when it's released on home video in the weeks before Election Day. The Gallup survey found that nearly half of the Republicans and independents who expect to see the film said they were likely to view it on video.
"In all honesty, in a very close election, who knows what will sway the public?" Mahaffey said.
Posted by 64bowtie on July 30, 2004, at 4:36:56
In reply to 'Fahrenheit 9/11' Making GOP Nervous, posted by jay on July 30, 2004, at 0:39:41
Thanx Jai,
I'm an information junkie... Anyone who has beliefs and opinions about 'Fahrenheit 9/11' and refuse to see it can't be toooo tightly-wrapped... There's toooo much data to mull over that never made it into the movie-trailer...
Also, believing testimonials from those who label Michael Moore as 'pinko' (communist) scares me... Those folks are a mess and are making a mokery of their adulthood... 'Pinko' stopped having any meaning in the American lexicon 13 years ago...
What does this say about their notion of what-is and what-ain't... They would rather believe the story with all its opportunity for distortions about what happened than really know what happened... Scarey!!!
Again, thanx Jai
Rod
Posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 8:30:52
In reply to 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion » jay, posted by 64bowtie on July 30, 2004, at 4:36:56
Jay, thanks for putting that article in. I saw the movie and was blown away by a lot of it. pat
Posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 9:20:05
In reply to 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion » jay, posted by 64bowtie on July 30, 2004, at 4:36:56
The tactic of the neocons is to NOT discuss things, not wanting to confuse the masses. They appeal to the easily swayed, by trashing things in advance.
KARL ROVE, Bush's long-time political guru and White House advisor:
"As people do better, they start voting like Republicans...
...unless they have too much education and vote Democratic,
which proves there can be too much of a good thing."
Posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 9:30:23
In reply to Re: 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion » 64bowtie, posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 9:20:05
I've said this for ages, "the republicans know how to appeal to people's fears and prejudices and that's how many will vote". Karl Rove just scares the bejesus out of me....
Posted by jay on July 30, 2004, at 10:01:49
In reply to 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion » jay, posted by 64bowtie on July 30, 2004, at 4:36:56
Hey Rod...Jay here....ya, it's like the McCarthy 'Red Scare' all over again. Question anything the Prez does, and you are labled a 'pinko'. Well, America must have a lot of 'pinkos', because there are an *amazing* number of people who believe in this movie. That is the *important* thing, because I am Canadian, and it doesn't really matter as much as it does for every American to see this movie. It's *your* country, and don't let some Republicans tell you because you aren't rich, and you believe in social responsibility, that you have no say in how your country is run.
All the best,
Jay
Posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 10:01:52
In reply to Re: 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion » AuntieMel, posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 9:30:23
Posted by jay on July 30, 2004, at 10:16:23
In reply to Re: 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion, posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 8:30:52
> Jay, thanks for putting that article in. I saw the movie and was blown away by a lot of it. pat
Hi Pat...really glad you liked this. You know, I am not American, so this movie is not as important for me to see as it is for all of you and your fellow Americans. Like Moore say's, the Right has no 'hold' on America, and mostly all 'liberals' are deeply patriotic, and love their country. Being Canadian, there are many things about America I deeply respect, and we share many values, being among them freedom and
equality for *all*. We have our Right wing here in Canada too that are working overtime to weaken freedom and equality for everyone. (Except the rich.)Mostly, I am just deeply *elated* to see so many people *talk* about these important issues. All of the debate..the conversations at the kitchen table...in the workplace...among friends...it seems really empowering, and shows there are many, many Americans of various stripes who care so deeply about their country.
All the best,
Jay
Posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 12:45:32
In reply to Re: 'Fahrenheit 9/11' must be seen or no opinion » fayeroe, posted by jay on July 30, 2004, at 10:16:23
A friend just e.mailed me from a very rural setting and told me that one of her fellow church goers said to her,"I wish the Democrats were Christian"...gee, when did the right-wing conservatives take Christianity away from us?" I must have been asleep when that happened.
Posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 12:47:06
In reply to Re:At least he's honest;) (nm) » fayeroe, posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 10:01:52
Posted by AuntieMel on July 30, 2004, at 13:33:36
In reply to Re:At least he's honest;) Who is honest? (nm) » AuntieMel, posted by fayeroe on July 30, 2004, at 12:47:06
Karl Rove - at least on the occasion he made that statement.
This is the end of the thread.
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