Cornyn: GOP ready to capitalize on Americans’ ‘fear’ and ‘anger’ in the 2010 elections.

[babylonsister]

Have I mentioned today how I loathe this man and his party? :puke:


http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/06/cornyn-2010-fear/

Cornyn: GOP ready to capitalize on Americans’ ‘fear’ and ‘anger’ in the 2010 elections.


Although RNC Chairman Michael Steele yesterday tried to distance the Republican Party from the angry protests at town hall meetings around the country, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is excited about them. According to The Hill, Cornyn believes that the “fear” and “anger” of Americans will be an advantage for Republicans in the 2010 elections:

“Fear, I would say, precedes anger, and I think there are a lot of people who tell me they are scared of what they see coming out of Washington in terms of spending and the debt and muscular federal intervention on everything from financial institutions to healthcare,” Cornyn said. “It’s almost like a part of the grieving process.” <...>

“No one would have ever thought six months ago we would be where we are today. I see real opportunities for us,” Cornyn said at a meeting with reporters. “2010 did not look like it was going to be a particularly friendly year for us.”

The GOP seems to be more excited at the prospect of health care and economic reforms failing so that they use them for electoral gains than at these problems actually being solved. Just last month, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) said that if the GOP could “stall” or “block” health care reform, it would be a “huge gain” for Republicans in 2010.

[liberal N proud]

1. FEAR is the only thing the GOP knows how to use effectively

If they can't scare you into voting for them, the only thing they have left is stealing elections.

Democrats need to remind America what FDR once said about fear.

[napoleon_in_rags]

2. If a group of people benefits from your fear and anger, what will they do in power? nt

[babylonsister]

3. Look back to the past 8 years. Remember terra terra terra?

If that's what people have to look forward to, and embrace it, that's vewy vewy scary.

[napoleon_in_rags]

6. But in the name of God WHY do people support them when they say these things?

I mean anybody who benefits from fear and anger will create fear and anger, just as I work because I benefit from money, and plant a garden because I benefit from eating vegetables. Maybe the implication is that the fear and anger will subside if they get in power, but that's just as bad, that whole "we will stop terrorizing you if we get what we want" is what they define as terrorism, and is sub-optimal in any situation. For instance, would you rather have a relationship with the person who charms and delights you so you choose them? Or the person who threatens your safety if you DON'T get in a relationship with them? How does ANYBODY think its any different with a political party?

[dhpgetsit]

4. That is the GOP's MO

Whip up fear with lies and misinformation and use it as a wedge to divide segments of the population away from supporting progress.

GOP = Generally Opposed to Progress.

[arbusto_baboso]

5. New GOP motto: "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate....

Hate leads to suffering. This is good for Republicans."

[Nyquil Man]

7. Anger and fear will only carry you so far.

You have to convince the average voter you can do a better job than the person you're opposing.

That's where McCain/Palin tripped up. That's where these clowns will trip up.

[Laelth]

8. This isn't 1994.

I see Democrats picking up 3 seats in the Senate and between 3 and 6 seats in the House.

This is not 1994. The Republican Party's approval ratings were not in the toilet then. We weren't going through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. A lot more people were happy with their insurance then. The religious right had not completely taken over the Republican Party then. The memory of Ronald Reagan was much more fresh then; now the "Reagan is the second coming" crowd has little voice. Clinton was elected with less than 50% of the national vote total. Obama was elected with well over 50% of the national vote total.

This is just a very different time. I do not fear a repeat of 1994 ... unless the Democratic Party manages to pass a very bad "health insurance reform" bill. Then, we should be worried.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Nyquil Man]

9. The Republicans aren't what they were in 1994.

They had a plan then. It was a stupid, simplistic plan, yes, but sometimes stupid and simplistic sells.

And they had leadership. John Boehner is no Newt Gingrich. Newt Gingrich isn't even Newt Gingrich anymore.

[Atman]

10. Whatever. He's delusional.

Even if healthcare fails, why would people swarm back to the party that created the whole fucking mess? The demographics aren't there. Period. The GOP is a poisoned brand, and people won't vote for the same group of angry old white men rich bastards who screwed things up so badly before.

[juno jones]

11. I guess ya just gotta put your best foot forward...

:shrug:

[Orsino]

12. And they will...

...unless Democrats can make real progress that benefits voters materially.