Does Playing the Terrorism Card Work?

Whipping up some concern that the Democrats are 'soft' on terror is an old favorite of the GOP, and as we approach the mid-term elections we can expect the usual fear-mongering to seep into campaign talk. But it may not be as effective these days as the GOP would like us to think, writes Salon columnist Glenn Greenwald.
 
For example, take a look at President Obama's poll numbers on terrorism: Americans approve of Obama's handling of terrorism threats by a margin of 56 to 39. This is his highest rating by far on any issue, Greenwald points out.
 
And consider this:
 
Even more compelling evidence is found in the 2006 and 2008 elections. As I documented at length, the centerpiece of Karl Rove's 2006 midterm strategy was to depict the Democrats as "soft on terror" by virtue of their alleged opposition to warrantless eavesdropping, military commissions, and torture (he arranged votes on those issues right before the election) -- yet the Republicans were crushed in that election in one of the most humiliating defeats of the last several decades, losing control of both houses of Congress.  Included among the GOP incumbents who suffered the most resounding defeats were those who relied most on Terrorism fear-mongering.  And in 2008, Obama repeatedly vowed to roll back the defining Bush/Cheney Terrorism policies, to restore "our values,"  and was elected rather easily.
 
So why does the GOP continue to play the terrorism card, and why does the media continue to report that the "real" American public repeatedly falls for it, asks Greenwald? It could be a little of the NYC- and D.C.-based media and political class projecting their own fears and biases on middle America. It could also be that continuing to perpetuate the myth serves the political goal of convincing the political class to keep the Bush/Cheney policies in place. "You abandon them at your political peril." And, finally, suggests Greenwald, it could be because "media elites maintain a deeply patronizing view of 'real Americans.'"
 
(Photo by Baloba; C.C. 3.0)