The Dems' political payoff (The Dems think strategically, the GOP think tactically)

Powerline ^ | 12/22/2009 | Scott Johnson

[SeekAndFind]

I think that a lot of congressional Democrats are going to pay the price of Obamacare, but Andrew McCarthy highlights a key point:

The best thing about Mark Steyn's guest-host stint on Hannity last night -- other than Jonah's joining him on the panel -- was that Mark asked some pointed questions of two brilliant political strategists, Dick Morris and Karl Rove, that seemed rooted in Mark's theory that, on health care and all it entails,"The Dems are thinking strategically; the Republicans are all tactics."

For my money, I think the theory is being borne out: Democrats have their eyes on a different end-game than our guys do: namely, the establishment of permanent, European-style socialism in the U.S. Our guys are focused on converting Obama radicalism into big-time electoral success in the next election cycle. The Dems have already factored in that likelihood and are betting -- over the long haul -- that even if the GOP cuts deeply into Dem majorities or takes over Congress (and even takes over the White House in 2012), Republicans will lack the commitment (and perhaps the numbers) to roll back what the Left is accomplishing now.

That is, our guys are focused myopically on a battle the Democrats have already figured they can afford to lose. The real battle is: What do you do when you get back in power? Do you have a plan for how to undo what is being done? Do you frame the coming elections in a way that converts victory into a mandate not only to stop what Obama is doing but to undo what he has done?

I'm hearing a lot from our side about making big gains in the upcoming elections. That's not strategy or victory. You have to have a plan for what those gains would translate into. Democrats, by contrast, have a real plan for how what they're doing today will sustain Big Government, and themselves, over the long term, regardless of occasional electoral losses.

PAUL adds: I don't think the Democrats will accomplish enough "European-style socialism" through the health care legislation that's likely to pass to make a series of political thumpings worth the price. My guess is that the Dems are betting that the economy will improve enough to prevent their political setbacks from being severe.

[TruthHound]

“My guess is that the Dems are betting that the economy will improve enough to prevent their political setbacks from being severe.”

Then why is it that EVERY THING they’re doing is making things worse for the private sector?

By design?

[goldstategop]

The Democrats don't care. They know once an entitlement is established, its politically impossible to reverse it. That's entire point to enacting Obamacare now. Even if the GOP takes over Congress next year, President Obama still has the veto and remains relevant. The prospects the GOP can enact its agenda in the next two years is NONE. Write that home, folks.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[Oatka]

Republicans will lack the commitment

Key phrase.

[Psalm 144]

If they are betting on an improved economy they must be planning on legalizing and unionizing Santa’s elves when they immigrate here due to the thawing of the North Pole.

The last three Presidents are known to have indulged in recreational substance abuse. The results are showing not merely for them, but their generation.

[goldstategop]

Of course. The GOP is afraid of its own shadow. The Democrats don't care about the polls. The GOP and Free Republic are blindly in love with them.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[SeekAndFind]

Then why is it that EVERY THING they’re doing is making things worse for the private sector?

By design?

Bingo !! The long term plan of Dems is to Socialize the USA and make it more like the welfare states of Europe.

They see 2009 and early to mid 2010 as their BEST HOPE of achieving this goal as they own the executive and legislative branches.

Socialism is creeping in this country and has been accelerating the past year.

[Hardastarboard]

I’ve also figured out why the “benefits” don’t start for five years or so. When they do start, and suck, as we all know they will, the brain dead, history ignorant American public will accept it when the American Socialist Party and the SRM blame Republicans and Bush.

[what's up]

Acting like a bull in a china shop is not thinking "strategically".

I think that the fact that the Dems cobbled this bill together in whatever way, shape or form they could shows that they are far from thinking strategically. Ozero's ramshackle approach to Copenhagen displays the same.

[dubie]

The Republican's wrists have gone limp. The thing is, we will have big gains as I hope all the house will be fired in 2010. But without the presidency, we will not get much done in two years and the media will frame us as obstructionist and the sentiment will not be the same for 2012 and we will not gain seats. Conservatism must win and make the hard changes that are necessary. Need a larger vision...

[seowulf]

They know once an entitlement is established, its politically impossible to reverse it.

There is the hope.

The bene's don't start until 2014 after the next Presidential election, while the pain in taxes start in 2011.

Democrats have their hopes entirely based on an economic recovery that won't happen with tax increases. Maybe they don't really have a grip on the economic pain out there living in their ivory tower as they do.

[NVDave]

Republicans are pussies. They want to be “liked” by the press. See John Nancy-boy McCain as an example: His political base is the DC beltway press/media.

Then take a look at the northeastern GOP: blue-blood tea-n-crumpet types with spines of overcooked linguine, mincing dandies and semi-pinkish rich boys like Weld, et al. And when someone does show some spine, they get into bad associations with dim-bulbs like Sean Hannity, who couldn’t explain how or why Wall Street melted down, he just repeats some moronic talking point that was fax’ed to him.

There’s a reason why people are furious.

[rod1]

Yep. The REPUBs are trying to decide how big the tent should be that they are trying to pitch in an low-lying open field while the RATS are building a boat to use as they burst the dam a half-mile away.

[freekitty]

FR blindly in love with what?

[PA-RIVER]

I saw an interesting thread on State Nullification and the tenth ammendment.

We may get some states that refuse to comply, as Health Care and Insurance are not enumerated rights in the constitution and will not be enforced at the Federal level.

Will the Feds want to force this on us by point of Gun? I'm sure they will consider it.

[goldstategop]

Polls. Conservatives give a damn about them. They want to be liked. When Democrats have power, they do what benefits them in the long term regardless of the costs. Timorous Republicans refused to privatize Social Security when they had the power. Now they lack the means to preserve America's founding values. The irony is so thick you could slice through it with a knife.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[YankeeReb]

Typical Stalinists two steps forward one back, power for power’s sake. When they get power they use it you never see them back down and apologize.

[freekitty]

I am beginning to wonder if anyone is for the people.

[goldstategop]

I'd like to know where conservatives want to lead the country. The Democrats stand to benefit from gridlock. Our side needs to reverse their policies, they don't. And we won't get a filibuster proof 60 vote margin in the Senate to stave off Dem obstructionism. And the President has the veto, which he will use to thwart GOP bills. Forget about a pro-freedom, low tax, pro-life agenda in the next Congress.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[Typical_Whitey]

There is a third strategy. It is the strategy of manufactured crisis. Intentional destruction of Capitalism by bankrupting the USA. Of course there are no winners there but putting the pieces together would make socialism a much easier sell.