Should liberals be nice while pugs play mean...from a research chat room

[ikojo]

A friend sent this to me...it's one researcher's view on why he thinks Dems/liberals need to FIGHT BACK and not play nice when challenging Republicans. This researcher was responding to a person who feels Dems should be respectful to the pugs/conservatives. Too often I hear people say, well we have to be nice or that's what the other guy does, yada, yada, yada....I think this drives the message home on why our side must be willing to get into the trenches and FIGHT for what we believe is good...


" I would agree with you about being respectful and civil toward our adversaries if they were adhering to the social contract, but they're not.
    They are undermining the Constitution, especially individual freedoms; taking significant steps toward a theocracy; exacerbating the natural inclination of capitalism toward excessive concentrations of wealth instead of ameliorating and tempering it, i.e., robbing from the poor and giving to the rich; violating international law and ignoring international opinion; engaging in torture; seriously undermining respect for electoral processes right here in the United States, and arguably stealing elections at the highest levels; systematically packing the federal courts with right wing ideologues (historically, presidents respected the independence of the judiciary); exploiting people's worst fears to divide the country; I could go on I'm sure.
    You have the right to think they are sincere in all of this. We have the right to think they are devious fiends who will go to bed with any interest group willing to go along with them so they can concentrate and congeal their wealth and power.
    I don't like it, either, but Jerry Falwell was right: this is war. That is how they see it, and that is what it is. It's not a time to be nice. The longer we delay in making this case, and the more divided we are about the propriety of making it, the longer it will be before we can expose what is being done. We should make our case with reason, but we should also stop pulling our punches. The alternative, as I see it, is the destruction of our Constitutional system and the wholesale control of every aspect of our lives by the filthy rich and by theistic zealots. "

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Repubs have a pack mentality. They're strongest when they

regurgitate what they've heard on hate radio, because they assume the opinions are wildly held by their core group. The only way to beat them is to find the one missing piece of evidence they can't refute, and be prepared. Their arguments are repetitious, so Dems should have the list memorized, and the counter-arguments ready to launch.

[Zuni]

2. They need to be shown for what they are

It will make us tougher---I think the Democrat's attempts to play fair have made us look wimpy, playing right into the Republican's oily hands.

[ikojo]

3. I think this Democratic tendency to play Dukakis nice during the

last presidential election cost the Dems the election. Kerry did not respond SWIFTLY and AGGRESSIVELY to the swiftie's lies. He gave them a two week pass. He should have come out SWINGING and say "how dare you question my patriotism?!"

More than "moral values" Americans like a DECISIVE president. One who they believe will say what he means and do what he says. Kerry came across as one who consulted polls before speaking to an audience. Perception is everything and people perceive Dems as weak and mamby pamby.

Let's hope Dr Dean is but a beginning in changing that perception for real!

[Zuni]

5. Agree totally

The Moral Values People are only 30 percent or so, and they always vote the same way

[Jamastiene]

4. I say go for the jugular

and impeach that entire posse full of pirates...

[Squeech]

6. There's a tactical advantage too

One reason why the Repuke oligarchy dominates the public debate so hugely is that the media thinks battles are more entertaining. It's like policy questions should be decided on Survivor-- it's stupid, but that's how it's played. So, even in venues that aren't part of Scaife's Mighty Wurlitzer, the other side gets the attention because they're so colorfully pugnacious. If we look and sound scrappier, we'll get more and better press.

Also, the most powerful Repukes are mainly bullies, who maintain the facade of strength by intimidating everyone else-- but who will fold up the instant somebody else stands up to them. Look how bad they've already been hurt by Reid!