George F. Will: Democrats' weakening radar

The Sacremento Bee ^ | Published June 17, 2003 | By George F. Will

[greydog]

WASHINGTON -- The contours of the political landscape are becoming increasingly inhospitable to Democrats. This is partly because of what Democrats are, partly because of what they have done to themselves with campaign finance reform, partly because demographic changes are weakening one of their signature issues and partly because of a conflict between their ideology and fiscal facts.

[greydog]

Hence Democrats are perceived as the servants of grievance groups

I was wondering why Jesse and Al wasn't Republicans.

[Drango]

a fifth of it -- $25 million -- came from just 168 people

These are the spawn of Satan.

[Cicero]

168 spawn? That's worse than the bin Ladin family.

[colorado tanker]

In an article on McCain-Feingold ("The Democratic Party Suicide Bill") in the July/August issue of The Atlantic Monthly, Seth Gitell notes that in the 1996 election cycle, when Democrats raised $122 million in soft money, a fifth of it -- $25 million -- came from just 168 people.

Republicans have a large advantage in raising "hard" dollars, which are for particular candidates and are covered by annual limits. Democrats, deprived of soft money, will be forced to rely on paid issue advocacy by their "groups" -- environmentalists, gun control advocates, the pro-abortion lobby. Dependence on the groups will cost the party control of its message and pull the party to the left, away from swing voters.

He, lil' Tommy, aren't you gonna put something on the hole you just shot in your foot?

[ModelBreaker]

It would be nice if you could post a link to the article. I could not find it on the Sac Bee editorial page. Thanks.

[Jean S]

The link is there. Click on "The Sacramento Bee" under the title.

[eyespysomething]

Democrats divide their time between deploring anything that benefits rich people and standing in front of rich people, like Oliver Twist with his porridge bowl, begging for more.

That paints a purdy picture, you know, something along the lines of "I hate you you scum-sucking rich greedy war-mongering lying cheating republican brown-shirted oppressing-the-little-man-so-you-can-make-more-money sheeple homophobe gun-totin' pro-lifer anti-tax envirohater suit-wearing job holding Bush Bot! May I please have more of your money?"

[big gray tabby]

I think it's more like, "You keep handing over the dough and I'll keep yanking the bubbas along. Oh, and I'll make sure nobody else has a chance to get as rich as you."

[syriacus]

Democrats
are
perceived as
the servants of grievance groups.

This would make a nice motto on a cross-stitched creation.

[SwinneySwitch]

James Carville, political consultant and agitator, warns his fellow Democrats that voters "won't trust a party to defend America if it can't defend itself." Unfortunately, he says, "Democrats by their nature tend to look weak." Unsurprisingly, Carville thinks this defect reflects a virtue: "We" -- Democrats -- "tend to see six sides to the Pentagon." Meaning Democrats comprehend the complexity of things, which renders them rhetorically mushy.

LOL! Five don't equal Six aint too complex, James!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I think its just a matter of time before the Democrat Party endorses reparations for Blacks in America. Just a matter of time.

[Batrachian]

"I think its just a matter of time before the Democrat Party endorses reparations for Blacks in America."

Most of the Congressional Black Caucus (all Democrats) already have.

[mallardx]

I've been holding back on my office buddies, most of whom are young libs. But this week when one of them piped up about the UNFAIRNESS of the tax cuts, i.e. no redistribution of wealth, I laid into him big-time. Told him that the Dems are so far out of touch with America and had shown such animosity towards her that they will not have a chance at political control for many years...

[Bullish]

Yeah, reperations, that's a real winner for them. Bring it on!

[section9]

This was an extremely perceptive article which discusses some of the First Principles that divide the two parties. A good read.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Recovering_Democrat]

Democrats divide their time between deploring anything that benefits rich people and standing in front of rich people, like Oliver Twist with his porridge bowl, begging for more.

Absolutely right on. The Republican Party's financial support is much more grass roots, middle class supported. The 'rats depend on the Barbra Streisands more for $$, and whackjob unemployed punks for their strongarm street tactics.

Damn, I'm inspired. I just might go to georgewbush.com and donate again.

[mombonn]

partly because of what Democrats are, partly because of what they have done . . ., partly because demographic changes . . . and partly because of a conflict between their ideology and fiscal facts.

Mostly, however, the major problem is the moral depravity of the RATS.