My theory on the GOP mentality ...

[TheCoxwain]

I think powers that control GOP are EXTREMELY threatened by any successful/charismatic Democrat.


They whipped up mass hysteria against the Clintons. The question is why?

Fundamentally most people will benefit from the economic policies of the democrats and to that end the Republican Coalition is really a fragile one. The supply siders need to keep their flock in line by using pastors/Wedge issues as guard dogs that prevent the sheep from running over to greener economic pastures.

Clinton came along and was able to explain the democratic policies in very succinct terms that allowed people to trust his instincts. If you are a Republican Farmer - Can you imagine the effect of this. This is a serious threat. So the obvious response is to convince the sheep that Clinton isnt a benevolent creature but a WOLF that will destroy the flock. They did everything to destroy Clinton because -trust me - Republicans are scared shitless by Bill Clinton's Charisma.


Now Obama is simply Clinton 2.O in terms of mass appeal.


So expect them to make loud disgusting noises for the next 8 years... They WILL not let the country unify under Obama ... that is their worst nightmare -- absolute worst case scenario. All the rabid voices you are hearing in the Palin rallies has nothing to do with the election - it has everything to do with keeping the country divided.

My Two Cents.

[ChicagoRonin]

1. It's class and race too

I've read in places that hatred of Clinton also came from the fact that he was a non-insider among the Washington elite. Sure, he went to top schools, but he didn't come from a "name" family (like Bush), didn't have old money, didn't have any of those networks. One reason H.W. Bush and his buddies were so shocked to lose was because they thought of Clinton as some country bumpkin.

Despite the portrayal of W as a good ol' boy and the nomination of Palin, the attempt to appeal to the Joe Six Packs has always been a ploy based on false pretenses.

Interestingly, Nixon himself ran into a lot of the same problems, not being part of an old East Coast family or having gone to a top college.

Obama now represents even more of a threat: Went to the right schools, but he's the wrong color, grew out of the wrong class strata, and his family line comes from the wrong places (in the minds of the GOP).

[Bosso 63]

2. GOP mentality is always motivated by fear.

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”
Frank Herbert

[TheCoxwain]

5. That is Beautiful ... but fear also has a positive side ..

I use fear to channel my energy in the right direction..

I used to have nightmares about doing badly in exams .. long horrible dreams ... sometimes I would be back in high school flunking a test ( even after I had a stable job).. on waking up and self examination I would find something that I needed to work on -- I would go for it and that stopped the nightmares for a while..


The key is use fear like wind beneath your wings...and not be paralyzed by it

[underpants]

3. They lost control of their hierarchy and they are trying to prevent another New Deal

The crowds at the McCain events are going over the edge. The have a spectacular machinery to get their talking points out but the dirty work is supposed to be done by the machine (talk radio/Drudge/Fox/MSM) but they have lost control of the rudder. These crowds are expecting McCain to say the things they hear everyday (like going to see a band do their biggest hit) and when he doesn't they get upset.

Also conservatism is dissolving in front of our eyes. All the bailout and even McCain LATEST economic plan (2 this week) smells of the New Deal. They have served their sponsors well for the last 30 years trying to overturn and erase the memory of the New Deal. Now they have no other options than what works and is popular.

[MarjorieG]

4. What upset Clinton was how easily and quickly to go back to the trickle-down BS with Bush.

Maybe it was 9/11 fear, then Iraq, but so few questioned.