Posted on 01/02/2007 3:11:25 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Is there something cyclical, but nevertheless extraordinary, happening in American politics these days? Are we moving from a period of partisan confrontation and division, to one that values consensus and seeks more unity among our public figures?
Otherwise, how can we account for the unusual persistence with which moderates like Rudy Guiliani and Senator John McCain are holding their large leads in the Republican primary electorate? Or, the surprising surge of perceived-moderate Senator Barack Obama into second place in the Democratic field?
The conservative right is trailing ignominiously in the polls for the Republican nomination, while Hillary is tied with the combined vote share of Obama and Edwards in the Democratic field. Never mind that the Republican voters don't realize how liberal McCain and Guiliani really are, or how left-wing Obama's voting record -- all two years of it -- indicates he might be. The fact is, that moderates in both parties seem to doing very well.
In 2005 and early 2006, it seemed that the partisan divisions would continue and exacerbate. The right was energized by the debates over gay marriage and illegal immigration, and the left licked its chops after beating Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman in the Democratic primary. But Lieberman ended up winning, anti-immigration zealots like J.D. Hayworth lost, and moderate Democrats won most of the House seats that switched parties in 2006. The center showed new energy.
American politics, of course, alternates between periods of division and consensus. Because our democracy works, we explore new political issues and challenges through polarizing debate (such as would never happen in Japan, for example). After the debate has raged for a while, we come to a national consensus embracing the best of each side and move on (unlike Italy or France).
(Excerpt) Read more at vote.com ...
Seriously, I have no idea. It's on every Dick Morris thread and everybody knows but Cobra and me :(
A new theory every week from Dick Morris! And a new prediction too!
I think morris was busted for banging a prostitute, and it was later revealed that he sucked her toes.
No more calls; we have a winner.
On August 29, 1996, Morris resigned from the Clinton campaign after reports surfaced that he had been involved in an extramarital affair with a prostitute named Sherry Rowlands. A tabloid newspaper had obtained and published a set of photographs of Morris and Rowlands on a Washington, D.C., hotel balcony. Accompanying the photo layout was Rowlands' story of the casual affair, including the revelation that Morris's favorite sexual fetish was toe-sucking [2]. The article also revealed that Morris had allowed Rowlands to listen in on phone calls with the President, and had given her a copy of a campaign speech before it was delivered. Rowlands stated that Morris had bragged about writing both Hillary Clinton's and Al Gore's 1996 convention speeches - a claim which Hillary Clinton denied in her 2003 autobiography "Living History." Morris had been very casual about sharing his opinions of Bill and Hillary Clinton with Rowlands, and some very inside and personal information became available at thousands of supermarket checkouts.
Morris resigned on the same day that Bill Clinton spoke and accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention. In his resignation statement, he said that "while I served I sought to avoid the limelight because I did not want to become the message. Now, I resign so I will not become the issue." In his response, President Clinton praised Morris as a "friend" and thanked him for his years of service.
Morris was featured on two consecutive covers of Time magazine. The September 2, 1996, issue, which was released before the scandal story broke, featured Morris as "The Man Who Has Clinton's Ear." The following week, the cover featured Morris and his wife, Eileen McGann, and the headline read "The Morris Mess: After the Fall."
It was also revealed that Morris has a child in Texas, whom he fathered out of wedlock. [citation needed]
I will private reply you with my address so you can send that $75,000 check! ;^)
Dick needs to stick to sucking toes and lay off the exacerbating.
Because the left-wing media, RINO-lovers, and just general DOLTS everywhere are pushing them down our throats, and trying their best to make US believe that THEY are JUST what the Republican party needs.
We conservatives say F them, F "consensus", F "reaching across the aisle", F "compassionate" - "conservatism", and most especially, F ALL RINO bastards like mccain and RINO-rudy.
Just say NO to ALL RINOS.
Confirmed. She was a $200 per hour hooker, as I recall, named Sherry something. Supposedly he really liked to suck on her toes (the practice of which is called shrimping, I understand). I remember seeing a picture of her feet somewhere, can't remember if it was in the MSM or here. Nothing unusual about them.
I don't think Dick Morris ever stopped working for the Clintons.
Thank you Howlin. The later '90's were a real bed of nails for me, I guess I missed some key events.
"More compromise is what is killing the GOP."
In the beginning there was right and wrong and we've been compromising in the wrong direction ever since.
We suckers are just along for the ride. It's like American Idol. The producers have complete control over who gets to go on camera and sing -- then you can vote. Same method, same organizations. Sad, but true.
I can believe that the Left are suckers for the xxxlinton triangulation nonsense, but is the right that stupid to follow it as well? Just because the shrill wears a cross on her neck, does that mean the religious right is going to flock to her?
My wife is right 100% of the time. Just ask her.
My attorney is right 99.9% of the time. Just ask him.
My MIL is right 1000% of the time...Just ask HER!!! I dare you.
I'm right 43% of the time....and I make money doing it.
Crap...I'm just ahead of a toe sucking worm..........
The social conservatives comprise only about 20% of the GOP base...another 10% of the Dem base.
2008 will be the election that barely mentions abrotion, gay marriage or the "issue du jour" for the social conservatives.
The alliance between the religious right and the GOP is irrevocably broken.
you're right, so would I. Plus McCain would most likely be a single termer anyway. Plus, on spending, judges, and foreign policy, he'd be no worse than Bush has been. But the fact that I'd even think about it is troubling.
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