This was a political re-alignment and anybody who denies it is a hopeless Pollyanna.Two other things are also evident:
1. The pundits like Rush Limbaugh who chortled that the Democrats were in the process of self-immolating were blind as a bat it was the Republicans who were fracturing and imploding.
2. The mainstream media trumps the new media: The MSM has the power of images, the new media has only rhetoric and the printed word.
The mainstream media is a free source of campaign ads for the democrats.
Burn in Hell, McCain!
I may agree with #1 if you believe the Democrats were only able to pull it together in the last few weeks by rallying around some major points, like Rush Limbaugh's perceived attack on Michael J. Fox and stem cell, and the GOP's withdrawal of support for key seats, and inability to support even the worst of their own.
The "attack" on MJ Fox drew national attention to a subject that caused people to once again misremember how mean spirited Republicans are. As I pointed out at the time, Republicans would suffer the consequence and we did.
I completely agree with #2. There is no "new media". That's just something catchy to sell blog ads and go to fancy parties hosted by CNN.
in a culture in decline, image always trumps word.
so since our case depends upon presenting evidence and arguments and not just emotion, we have our work cut out for us.
but...we also have to realize that we need to nominate an attractive, non-threatening candidate in 08. the D's of course will do the same if they are smart (they might not be).
our nominee will have to hold the base, while going after non-partisan voters. no easy task.
but mccain and giuliani are not up to that task.
today, seems that Romney is our best bet.
a ton of freepers hate him for various reasons, but, as of where we are today, that is the only thing I can see on the horizon.
sorry for the non-sequitur. your post was right on.
That's why the imagery of Rush imitating Fox hurt us. Fox was not "revealed" because more people saw the image of Rush "making fun" of him and Fox went on to stump for Dems.
The next two years should give enough time for the GOP to rebuild and retool, because the truth about the Dems will come out. 2008 should be very good for the GOP.
"2. The mainstream media trumps the new media: The MSM has the power of images, the new media has only rhetoric and the printed word."
Wait till youtube REALLY catches on.....