How to Beat Bush (Moral: Wingnut ideologues –left or right – lose elections!)

The Seattle Times ^ | August 17, 2003 | Al From

[quidnunc]

What's true for Democrats is also true for the GOP.

To win, the GOP must earn the trust of the independent middle and to do this they have to convince the voters that Republicans are not the gimlet-eyed zealots which Democrats portray them as.

[cake_crumb]

Oh, I pray the Democrats continue to portray Republicand as gimlet-eyed zealots! They are not geting the message across STRONGLY enough. What's needed are candidates who can speak out with imagination and PASSION on what cold hearted starvers of grandmas and poisoners of water the Republican party is!

[Colofornian]

What's true for Democrats is also true for the GOP. To win, the GOP must earn the trust of the independent middle and to do this they have to convince the voters that Republicans are not the gimlet-eyed zealots which Democrats portray them as.

In other words, all we need are independent candidates with independent principles and independent platforms who simply wear the disguises of their respective parties...all for the sake of appealing to that band of voters who determines every election: The independents. Yeah, right.

[The Old Hoosier]

That's why Ford won in 1976 and Reagan lost in 1980.

[Skooz]

But, but, but...I'm a wingnut ideologue.

[dirtboy]

A recent Gallup poll revealed that on social issues, 37 percent of Americans identify themselves as conservatives, 23 percent as liberals. On economic issues, it's 43 percent conservatives, 15 percent liberals. Running to the short side of the field is not a winning strategy.

So, in other words, the GOP shouldn't have to run very far to the left to win elections. So why are so many of them in favor of such nonsense as the child-tax credit for nontaxpayers and a Medicare prescription drug benefit?

[Colofornian]

to convince the voters that Republicans are not the gimlet-eyed zealots which Democrats portray them as. wingnuts

"Wingnuts" and "zealots" are only dirty words in the media vocabulary...or in the minds of "respectable" folks who don't want their reputation soiled should they hang around with passionate folks who have decided that talking about something isn't enough.

Anti-zealots are the type of folks who think Jesus leaving his godhood behind in heaven for 33 years was a bit extremist. Anti-zealots are the type of folks who think dying on the cross for your cause was a bit over the top. Anti-zealots are also the type who think you can't begin to start any kind of grassroots movement if you stand on absolutes and principles, challenge the authorities of the day, or associate with fellow radicals (we all know Jesus picked folks like Simon the Zealot; zealots were known for picking off Roman soldiers).

According to their Book of Political Prescriptions, the anti-zealots would have you believe you could never start a grassroots populous movement had ya done what Jesus did. What % of the world now claims to be Christian, again?

[=Intervention=]

Hear hear...I'm tired of the BS about "moderate at all costs"...as though the great god Moderatism ever lead anyone to do anything great or glorious throughout history.

[quidnunc]

The Old Hoosier wrote: That's why Ford won in 1976 and Reagan lost in 1980.

Reagan didn't run as a movement conservative.

His campaign theme was "It's morning in America" and he named the moderate GHW Buish as his running mate.

At that, Reagan only won because John Anderson siphoned more votes away from Carter than from Reagan.

[MEGoody]

"So, in other words, the GOP shouldn't have to run very far to the left to win elections. So why are so many of them in favor of such nonsense as the child-tax credit for nontaxpayers and a Medicare prescription drug benefit?"

To win, what things should the Republicans go left on and how far?

[cake_crumb]

My son works works his behind off, 12 to 14 hours a day. He pays taxes. He got the child tax credit, which he and his wife desperately needed. Some day, after he learns enough of the business, he hopes to start his own roofing company the way my uncle did (with his roofing company) and become a millionaire like him. Then he'll pay MORE taxes, but my grandson will be old enough that my son won't be eligible for the child tax credit.

I WISH people would stop lumping ALL hardworking parents who are just starting out but PAY taxes into some kind of Welfare-type, givaway group.

[Colofornian]

Democrats won't win by polarizing the debate.

Well, maybe the Dems won't win by polarizing the debate, but that's only because the Dems won't win by trying anything at all.

But now & then, there are folks who can come along & polarize others and "win." William Wilberforce was one example. As an evangelical Christian, he and his Clapham Sect polarized England by becoming a "one-issue" candidate who tirelessly focused on voiding slavery from the scene...and was finally successful, despite making many economic enemies.

[45Auto]

For Democrats to beat Bush next year, they will have to build on the traditions of their most successful presidents — espousing a clear national purpose and getting the big things right

Like:

national recognition of gay marriage

Raise income taxes

Expand medicare to include illegal aliens

Expand Social Security benefits to lower animals and illegal aliens

Total amnesty for illegals

total ban on civilian ownership of firearms

Recognize UN authority over Constitutional provisions

Cut defense budget in order to create more social welfare programs

Lower the age for sexual consent to 10

Redefine sex so that NAMBLA members will no longer have to hide

Remove the ceiling on social security "donations" so that SS taxes can be raised ad infinitum

Elevate a flaming commie nut-cake to the House minority leadership, like that looney-tune Nancy Pelosi.

[dirtboy]

I WISH people would stop lumping ALL hardworking parents who are just starting out but PAY taxes into some kind of Welfare-type, givaway group.

Uh, since he got the child tax credit, it means he paid taxes, so what is your beef with what I said? But giving a child tax credit to someone who doesn't pay taxes is welfare.

[45Auto]

I prefer to link myself with extremists like this guy:

“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”—Thomas Jefferson

[sinkspur]

Anti-zealots are the type of folks who think Jesus leaving his godhood behind in heaven for 33 years was a bit extremist.

Jesus did not "leave his godhood behind in heaven" for 33 years. He was and is God and Man, all the time.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Good list.

[CMClay]

So which big-spending Socialist should I vote for?
...Bush, Kerry, or Dean?

[huck von finn]

This article was written for the sole purpose of pushing Lieberman.

[bassmaner]

Bush is a staunch conservative

The same Bush that let Teddy Kennedy write the education bill and the same Bush that has not vetoed one big-spending social program that the likes of Tom Daschle and Co. have signed off on.

Yeah, Bush is a staunch conservative ... puhhleeze.