Comments on: Party Before Country

By: sinz54

sinz54 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:59:18 +0000

Chekote: Right now, the “Blue Dogs” have no incentive to desert their own party, which won a great victory, and caucus with the GOP, whose brand has been tarnished. What’s in it for them? They would only do that if they sensed that the country is turning to the right once again, and/or starting to listen to the GOP again; in which case they would have some political cover to turn their backs on Reid and Pelosi.

By: sinz54

sinz54 — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:54:29 +0000

joemarier: You’re right, but what tactic the GOP should take with Obama also depends on what Obama’s clout with the electorate will be in the future. The “fight, fight, fight” angry GOP base doesn’t seem to get that Obama has a vast amount of political capital saved up with the public right now: He won a national election handily and fairly (no significant recounts); he’s the first African-American president; he was just inaugurated last month; we’re in an economic mess for which the public looks to the President (not to any senators or congressmen) for leadership; and his approval rating reminds high (around 60%). This is not, frankly, a good time for the unpopular GOP to take him on, tooth and nail; he holds a better hand of cards than the GOP does. Down the road, the public will start to take a more skeptical look at Obama. Then they might be more receptive to a reworked GOP message. That will come with longer-term issues like national health care.

By: larryo

larryo — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:08:25 +0000

“There are plenty of other blogs where Herr Moderator hurls his daily thunderbolts from on high. And where every poster must agree with him, and possibly outdo him in extremism. And where anyone who dissents, even honorably, is promptly labeled a “troll” and banned from the blog. Thank goodness it’s not like that on New Majority. There has to be a forum on the Internet where ideas for the GOP can come from the grass-roots, bottom up. As for the Democrats and liberals on this blog, David Frum also said that you learn a lot by listening to what the other side has to say. I’ve learned a lot that way. Their posts are far from valueless, and they help keep us on our toes.” Well said, sinz.

By: Cforchange

Cforchange — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:43:18 +0000

Hollywood Bill is 100% correct – reacting with an extreme will not work – Tom Ridge may. Listening to GOP’s from the xburbs will not generate a electable candidate . If you mingle with the masses here you would realize there has been alot of long term economic pain – pushing yesterdays rigid agenda won’t fly. That game is over. Further, these voters(majority) realize that it took us a long time to get in this mess, they will not judge the White House quickly.

By: HollywoodBill

HollywoodBill — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:28:28 +0000

According to the PA article that was posted on this site and is still available a couple of pages back, there are presently 1.2 million more registered Dems in PA than Republicans. Those are tough numbers to work with. Any bitter GOP primary could fatally wound Specter, who at 79 and with two bouts of cancer hasn’t announced his reelection campaign yet anyway. Pennsylvania voters have already rejected the third term incumbent “Man on Dog” Santorum so knuckledraggers from the extreme far right need not apply. 2010 promises to be a difficult year for the GOP already with 6 vacant seats. A Pennsylvania open seat would make it 7. The GOP is in no position to ban heretics now

By: joemarier

joemarier — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:46:41 +0000

And I say the Washington Nationals should totally make a trade for A-Rod. It’s approximately as likely. What’s wrong with trying to get a Blue Dog to run against him in the general? Are we really going to need that 51st vote in 2010? That’s a 9 to 1 shot according to Intrade right now.

By: Chekote

Chekote — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:27:31 +0000

I say we get someone like Tom Ridge to run against Specter in the primary.

By: joemarier

joemarier — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:03:39 +0000

Since we’re throwing out ideas, we may want to find some conservative Democrats to run against Specter. Worked for Buckley, against Lowell Weiker.

By: Chekote

Chekote — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:55:12 +0000

All we can do is put pressure on the blue dogs. Pick off some conservative Dems in the Senate, and try to stall the agenda as much as possible during the two years.

By: joemarier

joemarier — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:54:13 +0000

(yes, I memorized that last phrase, and darn it if it isn’t the best definition of conservatism I’ve yet come across)