GOP Classic

RedStates ^ | 9 Dec 2013 | Patrick Millsaps

[New Jersey Realist]

Growing up in the South means that you were raised on Coca-Cola. We don’t just call Coke, “Coke,” we call every soda made “Coke.” We believe Coke tastes better in a glass bottle than it does in a can. Every true Southerner has tried the unique concoction of drinking Coke with peanuts (in the bottle). We love Coca-Cola.

However, in the early 1980’s, Pepsi starting outselling Coke. After a few years of hand wringing and worry, on April 23, 1985, the Coca Cola Company—and this is still emotionally straining as I write this–abandoned its century old formula and introduced—sigh—“New Coke.” Oh sure, the consultants said it would be a great idea. The experts believed Coke needed to make a change to compete with Pepsi. Even the polling of focus groups told Coke executives that America would overwhelmingly prefer that new, sweeter mixture. It flopped.

[Gay State Conservative]

You are too invested in proving the imperfection of the analogy to realize the validity of it in part.

I didn't reject the analogy as being completely invalid,just noticeably flawed...as previously noted.

The article was mainly about the coke-new coke part of the equation from the POV of the coke fans. On that point, the analogy does hold.

Got it.

Now, whether either will overtake the “free” Pepsi is a related topic, but not the point of the article. That won’t be the main issue until first the “coke v new coke” discussion is settled.

Ah,but that's where you're wrong.I do understand that new vs old coke is the main theme of this piece but the importance of that pales in comparison to the question "how do we run against Santa Claus?". Except,perhaps,for the "Romney was a Commie atheist" crowd,a crowd which,although Romney wasn't my first (or even third) choice,I absolutely refused to pal around with.

So the analogy isn’t perfect, but again, on the main point, the immediate point, it is valid.

The analogy,as far as it goes,is very worthy of consideration *after* the Santa Claus issue is resolved.On this vital issue we place the cart before the horse here at the nation's peril.

[Fiji Hill]

I started thinking about Republican Presidents. I am in my 70s and when I think back there are only two that I can say I still admire.
Two in 70+ years?
Then think back over the past 112 years. Three.

I admire several over the past 112 years--McKinley, a strong president who respected the constitutional limits on the office, Roosevelt for his foreign and defense policy, Harding and Coolidge for cutting taxes and the size and scope of government, Hoover mainly for his accomplishments outside of government, Eisenhower for building a strong defense, Nixon for saving Israel, and, of courrse, Ronaldus Maximus. I'm not too hot on Ford and the Bushes.

[Ole Okie]

Pepsi, in the 10 oz. bottle and Coke in the 6 1/2 oz. both cost a nickel.

The original Pepsi singing jingle said, and I quote "Pepsi Cola hits the spot. Twelve full ounces, that's a lot. Twice as much and for a nickle too. You know Pepsi is the drink for you."

Back in the depression days, getting twice as much cola for a nickle was really something. I loved the jingle. Didn't care much for the cola so our family stuck with Coke (or Co-Cola as these Georgians pronounce it).

I'm simply questioning the 10 oz bottle you mentioned when the original jingle said 12 oz.

[dfwgator]

Give me a Pepsi Free.

You want a Pepsi, pal, you're gonna pay for it.

[Erasmus]

However, in the early 1980’s, Pepsi starting outselling Coke. After a few years of hand wringing and worry, on April 23, 1985, the Coca Cola Company—and this is still emotionally straining as I write this–abandoned its century old formula and introduced—sigh—“New Coke.”

Notice that he is careful not to say "original" formula, and most of us know why.

[Erasmus]

Come to think of it, the author is also impying that the “century old formula” contained corn syrup instead of sugar.

[Erasmus]

I phoned in a complaint about our coke vending machine at work.

It was set to under 32 fahrenheit, so when you untwisted the bottle cap, foam would flow out and the coke would turn to slush. The only reasonable way to drink it was to let the unopened bottle thaw out for 10 or 15 minutes.

[Erasmus]

From grammar school:
“
Pepsi-Cola hits the spot
Ten minutes later you’re on the pot
Push the button, pull the chain
There goes Pepsi down the drain
“

[C. Edmund Wright]

Ah,but that's where you're wrong.I do understand that new vs old coke is the main theme of this piece but the importance of that pales in comparison to the question "how do we run against Santa Claus?

First, I enjoy the give and take we are having. Second, I would only say that while you are right, the ultimate battle is us versus Santa Claus -- However, not every single conversation, or article, will address that. Nor should it.

I bet the writer of this article would agree with you on that - but I take the article on the face value of what it was about: which was only the battle from the POV of Coke drinkers. It is intellectually flawed to assume every article will address every issue. They will not, and they cannot.

FWIW, Rush jsut more or less agreed with me on air...

[calex59]

I remember this: Pepsi Cola hits the spot, 12 full ounces that's a lot, get more value for a nickel too, Pepsi cola is the one for you.

Back in the 50s and 60s, Pepsi in CA was a bigger seller than Coke, not because it was free but simply because people liked the way it tastes.

[deoetdoctrinae]

No Pepsi Free? OK, then, just give me a Tab.

[dfwgator]

Mom just get me a Pepsi, please
All I want is a Pepsi, and she wouldn’t give it to me
All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn’t give it to me.
Just a Pepsi.

[NTHockey]

Pepsi indeed was sold in 12 oz. bottles. Age dims the memories a bit.