Why the Democrats Might Lose '08 (Huckabee, health care, Cheney, vote)

[ontheroad]

This article struck a chord. Here's one quote from the article:

In contrast to this ever-waffling Democratic leadership, the Republicans do understand the political value of appealing to Americans on a higher plane

What do you all think?

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/120907.html

[hnsq]

I do think it might be a valid point, but in light of Bush's leadership, I do not think there is any way a Republican will be elected in '08.

[crittersitter]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

This article struck a chord. Here's one quote from the article:

In contrast to this ever-waffling Democratic leadership, the Republicans do understand the political value of appealing to Americans on a higher plane

What do you all think?

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/120907.html

The Republicans are, for the most part, on a higher plane, with the exception of Bush. Hopefully the American people are smart enough to see that once the real debates get going.

[msaRick]

Originally Posted by hnsq

I do think it might be a valid point, but in light of Bush's leadership, I do not think there is any way a Republican will be elected in '08.

I all depends on who wins the Republican Primary.

People think that G W Bush has doomed the Republican Party this next election, but they are wrong. He has showed them exactly what a big-government person can do.

If the Republicans nominate someone who is for limited government, they can beat the Democrats, who are all for big-government. If they elect a big-government person (Huckabee), they will loose.

A big-government person on both sides will leave fiscal conservatives out of the race. We might vote for a Democrat, just because they are at least small-government when it comes to civil liberties and religion. A Republican who isn't financilly small government is big-goverment across the board.

I really hope the Republicans think about the economy during the orimary instead of focusing on Gays and Abortion, two things that are likely to be unaffected no matter who is in the Whitehouse.

[TXboomerang]

The Democrats are insane if they think Bush's failures guarantees them a win. This will be a close election again regardless of which way it goes.

[silas777]

Originally Posted by tnbound2day

The Democrats are insane if they think Bush's failures guarantees them a win. This will be a close election again regardless of which way it goes.

Exactly, this notion that the Democrats automatically have a lock on the whitehouse this election is pretty naive! Dont be surprised to see Bush's negatives drop and his poll numbers start to rise next year. Remember the democrats have to actually have something to offer besides Bush-Cheney hate! So far I dont see it. As for the op, yes of course republicans are on a higher plane but that doesn't take much, when the other party is in perpetual state of pessimism. cmon lets get happy!!

[bily4]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

This article struck a chord. Here's one quote from the article:

In contrast to this ever-waffling Democratic leadership, the Republicans do understand the political value of appealing to Americans on a higher plane

What do you all think?

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/120907.html

I liked the next lines from the article.

In contrast to this ever-waffling Democratic leadership, the Republicans do understand the political value of appealing to Americans on a higher plane.

The GOP – the party of tax cuts for the rich – has convinced millions of average Americans to vote against their own financial interests in order to advance their principles, from protecting gun rights to outlawing abortion to breaking down the barriers between church and state.

The Republican CNN/YouTube debate on Nov. 28 was dominated by questions and answers that emphasized right-wing goals over programmatic details. Though one may disagree with those priorities, they do go beyond the voter’s pocketbook and address a larger purpose for the nation.

LOL.

You can call it a "higher plane"...or you can refer to it as brainwashed lunacy that people will vote for somebody without knowing a damn thing about what they plan to do, and that might implement policies that go against their own interests.

Bush and his "higher plane" have ruined this country.

Illegals = Bad.
War = Will Get Better, Just Give It More Time, More Time = Freedom!
Gays and Abortion = BAD.
Environment = It's all OK, What do Scientists Know?
Christmas = Big Issue. Who is going to Protect Christmas???


OK, got my vote!!


The Democrats are providing some level of detail in their plans to fix health care, immigration, environmental issues.

These are very complex problems... and any plan presented will have flaws that can be exploited and attacked. But the Republicans are just providing soundbites for the most part. Which apparently is all their base requires of them.

Inspiration is good, but give us a little steak with the sizzle.


And the same article does a nice job of pointing out how Democrats had the "higher plane" in the last congressional elctions.


Finally, in Campaign 2006, the Democrats started giving voice to the public’s outrage over the lies that had justified the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Millions of Americans also were alarmed by how brazenly Bush was trampling the nation’s constitutional liberties by asserting his “plenary” or unlimited powers as Commander in Chief.

Trying to salvage the congressional Republican majorities, Bush played the fear card again and again on the campaign trail, essentially arguing that he would keep Americans safe so they could comfortably go shopping at the mall.

In effect, the principle v. self-interest balance tilted toward the Democrats. They were the ones with the more idealistic vision of the United States as a brave nation that would not surrender its Constitution in the face of fear.

[ontheroad]

I'm glad to see someone actually read the article, bily4.

One of several reasons I raised this hare is my own disaffection for the general, and current waffling. Perhaps one of the candidates will ignite my interest, but thus far, I feel as if I am looking at a wide-open space once a forest of beautiful trees...the vastness between the issues and the seeming capacity or lack of capacity of the candidates to address these to my satisfaction is a gapping black hole.

[bily4]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I'm glad to see someone actually read the article, bily4.

One of several reasons I raised this hare is my own disaffection for the general, and current waffling. Perhaps one of the candidates will ignite my interest, but thus far, I feel as if I am looking at a wide-open space once a forest of beautiful trees...the vastness between the issues and the seeming capacity or lack of capacity of the candidates to address these to my satisfaction is a gapping black hole.

You know though we as a public are at fault, and so is the current process, and this article does a nice job of outlining some of the reasons for this. We have a 2 year election cycle now. Dozens of mindnumbing debates where the candidates repeat the same soundbites and snipe at each other and we get to read about all their picadilloes and dirty laundry. By the time we get through the process they all look pretty bad. Any constructive dialogue they try to start about issues gets drowned out by criticism and derision and why the plan can't work. Remarks about other candidates is all that usually gets played back on the news from the 'debates". The whole thing is a bad joke.

Hard to stay inspiring for two years straight when you are getting constantly hounded and criticized by people within your own party and the other party. They have to waffle to survive. And that cheapens the position.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by bily4

And the same article does a nice job of pointing out how Democrats had the "higher plane" in the last congressional elctions.

Finally, in Campaign 2006, the Democrats started giving voice to the public’s outrage over the lies that had justified the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Millions of Americans also were alarmed by how brazenly Bush was trampling the nation’s constitutional liberties by asserting his “plenary” or unlimited powers as Commander in Chief.


In effect, the principle v. self-interest balance tilted toward the Democrats. They were the ones with the more idealistic vision of the United States as a brave nation that would not surrender its Constitution in the face of fear.

In the above, I think what is key is that the democratic congress STARTED but rolled over and played dead at the first sign of resistance. (repeatedly) While many Americans looked to the democratic leadership to get us out of Iraq as it has been the number one issue in general, they failed miserably to even show consensus. The American people then placed their heads in the hands and began to spit bile on the floor. As to that 11% approval rating of congress, well I am surprised it is that high.

Contemporary republicans have elevated the use of fear to an art form over the past 7 years. Like Michaelangelo worked with marble, or Monet' in paint the current crop of RINO's have tapped into Americans child like fears. Keep them afraid of a never ending stream of boogymen, like a child who is afraid of the dark seeking comfort from a father. Guess what, it works when people have the fortitude of a spoiled three year old.

So once again we seem to be faced with a choice of the lesser of two evils, how redundant. Either choose an ineffectual waffling democrat or an inept and corrupt republican.