Republicans listen solely to their base at their own political peril

[Perky]

but that is precisely what they are doing. The activist base is listening to Beck and Limbaugh and Hannity and Dobson and O'Reily, et al and that in turn makes the ornery and loud drowning out all other points of views.

You can't win elections with 40% of the vote. You can't just respond to your base and ignore the rest.

[Vincardog]

1. Now if we can get the Democrats to listen to their base we would have something

[Perky]

4. Yeah two parties both going in the wrong direction

it is either blind arrogance or gross hypocrisy to criticize the GOP for listening to solely to their base while calling on the Dems to do the same thing.

[NJmaverick]

7. +infinity

[Vincardog]

8. I criticize the GOP for only listening to their base and I criticize the Democrats for NOT listening

to theirs. Not the same thing at all, in fact EXACTLY the opposite thing.

[Perky]

14. It fine to listen to the base, it is not ok for the base to demand that DEMS ignore the rest.

That demand for fidelity is what I am saying is wrong headed.

[Vincardog]

29. Where do you see the Liberals demanding that the party ignore anybody? WE are just tired of being

told to sit down and shut up. If a call to do what a MAJORITY of the citizens wants is a DEMAND FOR FIDELITY color me demanding.

[Perky]

31. Again....

Most want a Public Option but the numbers tank when you bring up cost. That's the reality. So while there is ample support for a PO that support is soft and that is why after a year of trying this thing is not done.

that and the ridiculous cloture rules in the Senate.

[Vincardog]

32. Single payer is the most cost effective solution. It is the ONLY way to control costs. That's the

reality. The ridiculous cloture rules in the Senate, The Corporate Controlled Media
and
the spineless DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP is why after a year of trying this thing is not done.

[Vincardog]

34. Again you make a statement and when asked to back it up you go wandering down another sidetrack.

Where do you see Liberals Demanding anyone be ignored?

[villager]

5. +1

n/t

[jwirr]

2. That is what is happening when they get up there and seriously say

that the people have rejected health care reform. They honestly believe that everyone is like the tea baggers.

[NJmaverick]

3. I agree, but the irony is that many liberals are trying to get the Dems to do

the EXACT SAME THING

[Perky]

6. .

:D


hee hee

[Vincardog]

10. See answer #8. Pandering to the Radical Reich is not the same as IGNORING the majority.

[NJmaverick]

11. liberals make up roughly 20% of the nation

that is a FACT you want to ignore.

[asdjrocky]

15. 72% of Americans want a Public Option.

A FACT you want to ignore.

[NJmaverick]

17. That poll is s poor indicator as the Public Option is but a small component of a complex plan

most people polled have little idea what the PO is or exactly what it would do.

[Perky]

20. .

well rats! I was hoping for a vibrant debate. Thanks for tag teaming and the kicks.

[Perky]

19. But only half of those are not very squeamish about the cost.

mention the cost and the numbers tank. I am all for a Public Option mind you. but the high number is very soft. People are not convince that the public option is the best way... I think that is likely due to our lack of demonizing Wellpoint and UHC enough. We have appealed to progressives at the expense of a more populist message that would lock down the middle.

[Perky]

16. I suspect there base is larger more dependable and more easily accessed and mobilized than ours.

The have the fundies and the kings of the Talk. We have union leadership though not necessarily the Rank and File We have the African American pastors but that does not necessarily translated into high voting percentages.

[NJmaverick]

18. Their base out numbers us by 2 to 1. As a group they are far more disciplined and effective than

our side and you already pointed out they have a far better leadership and communications infrastructure.

[Vincardog]

28. Self admitted REPUBLICANS make up roughly 20% of the nation

that is a FACT YOU want to ignore. The Reich wing controls the agenda of the GOP.
The Democratic party ignores the will of the MAJORITY of ALL the citizens and the VAST majority of its' members.

That is a long way from catering to the Liberal fringe.

[Perky]

30. 50% of Conservatives don't like the GOP

It is called the Tea Party movement by some. Lets not mix apples and oranges at least. I think the dittoheads on the right have very little use for the GOP. But that is different then who the GOP is listening to.

[Vincardog]

33. The GOP is pandering to the racist dittoheads and the Democratic party is caving to the Corporatist

and the 'centrists' who stand for NOTHING.
And you insist we are party purists when the Liberals stand up and ask who is representing US?


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[asdjrocky]

9. Democrats never listen to their base at their own political peril.

[Jennicut]

12. I agree with that assessment. They always figure we will come back, as

we are deathly afraid of Rethug rule.

[asdjrocky]

13. I've decided not to be afraid any more.

Something about a song I heard a long time ago as a boy... "Land of the free, home of the BRAVE."

[Romulox]

21. Unrec for the implicit message regarding the Dem base. nt

[Perky]

22. -1

for sticking your fingers in your ears and pretending the truth does not exist.....


cheers

[Romulox]

23. Your opinion doesn't become "the Truth" by virtue of a message board post.

I called your number though, didn't I? :hi:

[Perky]

25. If I had been "explicit" instead it would have been considered flamebait

it is either blind arrogance or gross hypocrisy to criticize the GOP for listening to solely to their base while calling on the Dems to do the same thing.

[Romulox]

26. Umm, it's STILL flamebait. Anybody who can read can see that. nt

[Perky]

27. no flaming yet... pretty tame

but thanks for the kicks

[Wardoc]

24. Elections are won by motivating your base first and foremost. That is where...

..you get your money and your feet on the ground. Indys are necessary, but they come second. If you don't have your house in order you will never convince the undecideds to give you the keys.