This is a critical difference. In Democrat world you just have to feel good. You don't have to really do anything. They supported Iraqi regime change they just didn't expect anyone to do anything about it. They supported Kyoto they just didn't expect anyone to actually follow those limits. In Democrat world, if you really are going to do something you come down hard on people who abide laws becuase they are the only ones who will pay attention. You limit guns to the law abiding, you enact polution controls on the companies and countries who follow the laws and ignore those who don't. It feels so good to sign a treaty and have a photo op.
This is a critical difference. In Democrat world you just have to feel good.
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Absolutely the Number One difference. They do not feel failure, because their hearts are in the right place. When leaders like Bush try and do not meet expectations they become targets. When leaders like Bush try and succeed (eg, the strong economy) that is regarded as luck, ignored, or denied.
One of the best things that conservatives can do when talking with non- or newly-political people is to point out these two core differences, from which all division flows.