Centrists Deliver For the Democrats

Pew Research Center ^ | 11/8/06 | Pew Reseach Center for the people and the press

[WOSG]

"What were the voters running away from when republicans lost mega numbers of seats during klinton's second term and Newt resigned?"

A) It wasn't mega numbers, it was an unexpected loss when they were hoping for gains.
B) It was because that was when the GOP first started to lose the 'edge' of the class of 1994. In October, instead of having a tough budget debate with the President, the GOP, this was *after* the lewinsky affair broke loose - decided to cave to Clinton on the budget so they could go home early to campaign. Consequently, they had nothing to run on.

1998 was a disappointment but not a disaster (except for Newt).

[syriacus]

Title should be, "Democrats Run AWAY from Liberal Candidates"

Yes

[Echo Talon]

Oh, well BIAS will never go away..

[truth_seeker]

"The political center." People who sway with the breeze. No convictions.

First, demean those who are not just like you, yielding a sense of superiority.

Next, discount their importance, leading to ignoring them.

Finally, rest assured that to lose with "convictions" is the most noble position of all.

And one has a picture of the "true conservatives" at this juncture.

Later one ponders how to regain their just political power, and can only conclude overlooking these inferior ones earned predictable results.

Then begins the more rational process towards winning back enough support from these voters, notwithstanding their peculiar and undesirable nature.

The whole effect of this scenario goes back and forth, by both sides. In effect these centrists, often disrespected by first one and then the other side, hold the greatest political power of all.

So every time somebody discounts their importance, remember they are the most powerful force in American politics.

[Stallone]

Republican turnout was ultimately the deciding factor in the election. It was the lowest since 1990, and lower than the Democrats.

Therefore, anyone concluding the Republicans lost because they didn't move to the center is dead wrong.

Republicans lost because they didn't govern like Conservatives.

[nwrep]

IMO, Bush and the GOP leadership pretty much ended the "Reagan Democrats" 20 years of voting for Republicans.

What wishful thinking, and total nonsense!! Reagan Democrats decisively voted in large numbers for Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996 over Bush Sr. and Dole respectively, handing those two Republicans a thumping. I can point to numerous articles of how the Clinton-Gore southern ticket attracted Reagan Democrats.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

You've now identified the issue......now what's the solution.

What more does the GOP need to do?

It is up to voters to understand the issues and make up their own minds who they're going to vote for. Why does the GOP need to do it for them?

Low taxes, limited government, traditional values, defeating terrorism.....these are all the tried-and-true issues that reasonate with everyone.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - moderate, centrist, independent voters are a media-fabricated MYTH. They don't exist. The sole purpose is to move the GOP further to the Left.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

What were the voters running away from when republicans lost mega numbers of seats during klinton's second term and Newt resigned?

They didn't lose "mega" seats the GOP House only lost about 5 seats, and that's because they abandoned the Contract With America they ran on. Newt quit because he got neutered by the MSM and triangulated by Clinton.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

First, demean those who are not just like you, yielding a sense of superiority.

First, define "the center." What exactly, is it? Being pro-choice? That's not "the center", that's liberal. If voters say they're in favor of restrictions of abortions, then they're going to be called right-wingers. So the MSM/DNC has successfully co-opted that issue.

"Sensible" gun-control laws. The MSM says that's the center too, but please. That's more liberalism, but the MSM defines it as "the center." So the GOP should embrace "sensible" gun laws to attract people who'll just vote for the Dims touting the same thing, and alienating their gun-rights supporters in the process?

Reagan and the 1994 Republicans won because they ran on a solid, conservative, cohesive agenda. That's how the GOP wins elections - be conservative and explain your issues without compromising.

[jamese777]

"Title should be, "Democrats Run AWAY from Liberal Candidates"
Yes"
No!
Which Democratic liberals were not reelected? In the House 92% of all incumbents, regardless of party or ideology were reelected.
Is Ted Kennedy gone? Is Hillary Clinton gone? Did Nancy Pelosi lose? Is Barney Frank returning? The Dems added a few high profile moderates to their ranks in districts where they were up against conservative Republican incumbents like Allen, Burns, Talent and Santorum.
All the Dem lefties are still there.

[joesbucks]

You see, you're part of the problem. I no where indicated that conservatives need to change (although some true conservatives suffered the most severe setbacks). I'm saying quit articulating your message only to the base. They already understand. The middle doesn't. Preachin to the choir, when there is doubt in middle America, doesn't convert the rest of the flock.

But no where did I say abandon principal.

[syriacus]

I think the point was that the new candidates being chosen were not as liberal as the incumbents.

Sorry, that wasn't clearer.

[jamese777]

"I think the point was that the new candidates being chosen were not as liberal as the incumbents.
Sorry, that wasn't clearer."

No problem.
My point is that only a couple of the new Dems aren't as liberal (Webb, Tester and Casey) but most of the Dems who were elected are still mainstream liberals and the new speaker is far left.

[syriacus]

My point is that only a couple of the new Dems aren't as liberal (Webb, Tester and Casey)

All three are now going to be senators.

Is Schumer smart, or what?