A different point of view - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

spence · 03-02-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronko

There is a lot of banter out there about the conservatives who blindly follow George Bush, what is as frightening is those that blindly hate George Bush. I am not sure either group gets it. Being blind means you lack vision.

I think there's a huge difference.

Much of the disdain I see for the Left is part of a purposeful effort to demonize "liberalisim" in general. If you're following the GOP handbook you attach liberal to Democrat to smear your opponent.

It's silly because the majority of people actually hold some views that are quite liberal, but it's also been executed with success because the Dems haven't been smart enough to counter.

Must of the disdain for Bush is focused on specific policy decisions, rather than on "conservatisim"...Why? Because people naturally segment moderates from social conservatives. They haven't been lumped together like the moderate and progressive Dems have.

To make matters worse, lines have been drawn segmenting Bush followers from everyone else. A conservative thinks Bush's tax cuts are going too far! Agast, they must be a closet liberal! Burn them!!!

My beef against Bush has to do with individual policy decisions and his style of leadership, not a broad based attack against "conservatisim".

But then again, we both know Bush ain't no conservative!

-spence

Bronko · 03-02-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spence

I think there's a huge difference.

Much of the disdain I see for the Left is part of a purposeful effort to demonize "liberalisim" in general. If you're following the GOP handbook you attach liberal to Democrat to smear your opponent.

It's silly because the majority of people actually hold some views that are quite liberal, but it's also been executed with success because the Dems haven't been smart enough to counter.

Must of the disdain for Bush is focused on specific policy decisions, rather than on "conservatisim"...Why? Because people naturally segment moderates from social conservatives. They haven't been lumped together like the moderate and progressive Dems have.

To make matters worse, lines have been drawn segmenting Bush followers from everyone else. A conservative thinks Bush's tax cuts are going too far! Agast, they must be a closet liberal! Burn them!!!

My beef against Bush has to do with individual policy decisions and his style of leadership, not a broad based attack against "conservatisim".

But then again, we both know Bush ain't no conservative!

-spence

Spence you made an interesting statement regarding the Democrats inability to shake the liberal moniker. I think they lack stratigical planning and foresight. I hang around with a few dyed in the wool liberal democrats. They are frustrated with the lack of leadership within the party.

Where do you stand on Dean and his grass-roots approach? His attempts at changing the party landscape started off with a bang, but have since stuttered. I'd be interested in your take.

spence · 03-02-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronko

Where do you stand on Dean and his grass-roots approach? His attempts at changing the party landscape started off with a bang, but have since stuttered. I'd be interested in your take.

Dean's a idiot

His campaign fell flat because he couldn't project a forward thinking message. Kerry did a better job, but not enough to overcome the smear campaign against him.

The DNC really needs to give him the boot. It's not that he doesn't have some good ideas, but Dean doesn't realize that his job is to support the party rather than make the headlines himself.

Neither Terry McCulliff or Ken Melman (sp?) ever had this problem.

The Dem's big issue is a lack of coordination. The Alito hearings were a perfect example.

The GOP has a great ability to frame an issue in simple terms then use the various outlets to institutionalize it before anyone even has a chance to tear it down.

Combine that with the Administration's secrecy, disdain for the media and near inability to tell the truth when pressed...and it's no wonder the average joe hasn't a clue as to what's really going down.

-spence