Democrats Seek to Outmaneuver Republicans by Imitating Their Strategy

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-outlook14feb14.story
RONALD BROWNSTEIN / WASHINGTON OUTLOOK
Democrats Seek to Outmaneuver Republicans by Imitating Their Strategy
Ronald Brownstein

February 14, 2005

For inspiration, Democrats these days appear to be looking more to Newt Gingrich than to Dick Gephardt, more to Bill Kristol than to Al From, and more to George W. Bush than Bill Clinton.

Democrats aren't taking ideological cues from these Republican leaders. It's their tactics and political strategy that's attracting Democrats.

<snip>
To discourage dissent, Democrats are also adapting Republican techniques. Though still not as tough as the GOP, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) is moving more forcefully than Gephardt, her predecessor, to threaten Democrats who back Bush with the loss of prized committee seats.

Privately, Democratic interest groups have discussed the creation of a liberal equivalent to the Club for Growth that would campaign against defecting Democrats. The online liberal behemoth MoveOn.org is already targeting ads at the one House Democrat — Florida's Allen Boyd — backing Bush on Social Security.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[UL_Approved]

1. About damn time

This is what the Democratic party is missing. Massive and effective unification.

We need a good, solid voice with which to speak to the USA and the world. We need to get up, together, and spell it out. This requires organization and a strong leader.

The bickering and the many candidates strategy has not worked for us. We need ONE good choice which can put up a fight. That is what Bush did, and that is what we need to do.

[papau]

2. I agree ... :-)

:-)

[Upfront]

3. Hello Howard Dean!

The answer.

[Northern Perspective]

4. And what is it on the "left" that so frightens people

...healthcare? working wage? consumer protections? environmental regulation? universal social security? veterans' benefits? balanced budgets?

This is, as we all know, about marketing - not fundamental principles.

[daydreamer]

8. Marketing is the key

You are right. Bush always appeared to be middle even though his agenda is extreme. Its hard for any Democrat to be hypocritical but Bush does it with such class and skill.

[Overseas]

5. Kick as an example of Tired Old Loser Talking Points

Heard the ridiculous conservative Cokie Roberts on NPR today with the same tired old High Road talking points. "Golly, Democrats are worried because they know they've gotta move further to the right to grab those Red voters and Dean's appealing to the base of the party! And golly, he's kinda angry...," is the basic line of argument. And they try to back up their losing advice with quotes about how glad Gingrich is to have Dean at the DNC... But these advisors are the folks who told Kerry to ignore the Swift Boat smears. These are the same folk who told us to have a postive, uplifting convention and steer clear of Bush bashing. The truth is too disturbing to these High Roaders-- it is mean and messy.

[GetTheRightVote]

6. Time to kick some Repub butt

:kick:

[Moderator]

7. papau

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