Something I've noted several times is that, while most of us agree it's important to be informed about Canadian politics and to be an engaged citizen, the fact is that Canadian politics are generally pretty boring (this can be a good thing, IMO). The Americans, on the other hand, have turned the dysfunction of their political system into an entertainment industry (although it appears Harper, et al., are determined to reduce the Canadian system to the same level).
So I thought I'd start a thread for discussion of the Reality TV show they call American Politics.
I'll start with this posting I saw on another forum, with respect to the Republican's policies on women's health care, especially with regard to contraception and abortion:
After years and years and years of specifically targeting homophobes, racists, bigots, religious zealots, anti-intellectuals and sociopaths why should we be at all shocked that the GOP picked up a ****load of misogynists along the way?
This election will be all about keeping the base motivated. McCain could have won the last election, but he disappointed conservatives, both social and fiscal, and there was no major voter drive on election day. Obama's victory was very slim.
Obama's own base has shrunk considerably and even motivating them after this four-year period of disappointment is going to be difficult at best.
Sarah Palin lost that election for McCain. I honestly did think she was an inspired choice. And then she spoke.
It was a slim victory, but not far off from Clinton's wins which were under better conditions--no war on terror and a good economy. And George W had even slimmer victories. There's still some room to lose votes but still win.
Even Ronald Reagan would tell you that this would not be the case. If Romney is to win, he will need to get the moderate Republicans, independents and Regan Democrats. We shall see comes Nov.
Ronald Reagan would not tell people they needed to pander to the centre, but that a strong conservative message will earn the support of moderates and independents. Many Reagan Democrats have long since left the Democrat party.
Any self-described moderate Republican (Bush I-after demonstrating he was one, Dole, McCain) has lost their election bids. It's a looing strategy.
With Jeb Bush's endorsement, I foresee a Romney-Bush ticket. It would make sense since the Republicans would need Florida and Texas as part of their winning strategy re electoral colleges votes. Again, we shall see.
I'll bet money that this won't be a Romney-Bush ticket. Bush II was a disappointment to many conservative Republicans and will signal to them that their support is not wanted. Romney will need to pick up a strong conservative--Ryan or Rubio--to indicate that the ticket is not going soft.
Sarah Palin lost that election for McCain. I honestly did think she was an inspired choice. And then she spoke.
It was a slim victory, but not far off from Clinton's wins which were under better conditions--no war on terror and a good economy. And George W had even slimmer victories. There's still some room to lose votes but still win.
Sarah Palin lost that election for McCain. I honestly did think she was an inspired choice. And then she spoke.
It was a slim victory, but not far off from Clinton's wins which were under better conditions--no war on terror and a good economy. And George W had even slimmer victories. There's still some room to lose votes but still win.
It was McCain's effort to win Conservative votes that inspired him to draft Palin, and a poor choice it was. However, if he himself had not been a self-proclaimed moderate he could have won handily. Voter analysis shows that large numbers of Republicans stayed home because they saw little difference between McCain and Obama.
Having seen the one-man wrecking crew in action, many Republicans now see the difference between Obama and even a moderate Republican.
It was McCain's effort to win Conservative votes that inspired him to draft Palin, and a poor choice it was. However, if he himself had not been a self-proclaimed moderate he could have won handily. Voter analysis shows that large numbers of Republicans stayed home because they saw little difference between McCain and Obama.
Having seen the one-man wrecking crew in action, many Republicans now see the difference between Obama and even a moderate Republican.
And many Republicans voted Obama because they didn't want the religious right in control, (and they were concerned that the old man might drop dead and leave that woman in charge.)
Ronald Reagan would not tell people they needed to pander to the centre, but that a strong conservative message will earn the support of moderates and independents. Many Reagan Democrats have long since left the Democrat party.
Any self-described moderate Republican (Bush I-after demonstrating he was one, Dole, McCain) has lost their election bids. It's a looing strategy.
I'll bet money that this won't be a Romney-Bush ticket. Bush II was a disappointment to many conservative Republicans and will signal to them that their support is not wanted. Romney will need to pick up a strong conservative--Ryan or Rubio--to indicate that the ticket is not going soft.
If you read Reagan's papers re the 1980 election, you will see that this was not the case. He did not want to have a repeat of the 1964 fiasco for the Republican party, so he moderated his views, just like he did in California. When he said during the debates "Are you better off now than when you were 4 years ago?" at the hight of the 1980 recession, I knew Carter was not going to win, espeially when you had the Iran hostage situation compounding this election.
I would place Rubio, Ryan and NJ governor Christie, Indiana govenor Daniels, former Minnesota govenor Pawlenty, or Ohio Sen. Portman as potential VP picks as well.
And many Republicans voted Obama because they didn't want the religious right in control, (and they were concerned that the old man might drop dead and leave that woman in charge.)
And many Republicans voted Obama because they didn't want the religious right in control, (and they were concerned that the old man might drop dead and leave that woman in charge.)
Check out the CNN exit polls from the 2008 election, Macfury. I think that even they were amazed at how many Republicans wanted a change from Bush II (as you call him).
And many Republicans voted Obama because they didn't want the religious right in control, (and they were concerned that the old man might drop dead and leave that woman in charge.)
Absolutely. I know several staunch American conservatives (who voted for Reagan, and Bush I) who switched to Obama after Bush II allied the party with the religious right (and the ultra wealthy) while abandoning fiscal conservatism. At least a few of these people are deeply unhappy with Obama, but wouldn't consider voting for a ticket with a Bush on it. If the Republican ticket is Romney-Bush, they probably just won't vote, but some will go to Obama.
If you read Reagan's papers re the 1980 election, you will see that this was not the case. He did not want to have a repeat of the 1964 fiasco for the Republican party, so he moderated his views, just like he did in California. When he said during the debates "Are you better off now than when you were 4 years ago?" at the hight of the 1980 recession, I knew Carter was not going to win, espeially when you had the Iran hostage situation compounding this election.
From the man who said "...government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem"? I don't recall Regan running a moderate campaign. Each major plank was strongly conservative in counterpoint to Carter.
I personally know at least three who say they did. These are all men who voted for Bush II the first time, but were so appalled at what he did to the country and the economy that they switched to Kerry and then, in desperation, Obama. One of them explicitly mentioned what Sonal was talking about; he didn't mind McCain so much, but was terrified of the prospect of the 'Wicked Witch of Wassilla' in the white house.
I personally know at least three who say they did. These are all men who voted for Bush II the first time, but were so appalled at what he did to the country and the economy that they switched to Kerry and then, in desperation, Obama. One of them explicitly mentioned what Sonal was talking about; he didn't mind McCain so much, but was terrified of the prospect of the 'Wicked Witch of Wassilla' in the white house.
I saw a lot of the same on the more American-oriented board I post on. Lots of people who'd never voted anything but Republican in their life, voted for Obama for pretty much the same reasons. They were okay with McCain, but hated Palin.
Many of them are supporting Obama still, because they don't want the religious right to take over the white house.
I personally know at least three who say they did. These are all men who voted for Bush II the first time, but were so appalled at what he did to the country and the economy that they switched to Kerry and then, in desperation, Obama. One of them explicitly mentioned what Sonal was talking about; he didn't mind McCain so much, but was terrified of the prospect of the 'Wicked Witch of Wassilla' in the white house.
Many of those who sat back and let Obama take the helm are back supporting Republicans because they don't want to see the religious left in office any longer.
From the man who said "...government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem"? I don't recall Regan running a moderate campaign. Each major plank was strongly conservative in counterpoint to Carter.
That is from Reagan's 1981 Inaugural Address after he was elected. During the actual election he stayed clear of far-right views. Even William F. Buckley, Jr, in his book "The Reagan I Knew" comment upon the fact that while he thought Reagan would "pull the nuclear trigger" realized that he would not have gone that far, unlike what Goldwater threatened to do. This belief that we should not get into a nuclear war lead Reagan to negotiate and sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with the Soviet Union, a treaty which Buckley, Jr. opposed.
True, this is why I suggested you go see the 2008 exit polls. If bryanc is using anecdotes to defend his views, which you reject, what stats are you using to defend your views?
Many of those who sat back and let Obama take the helm are back supporting Republicans because they don't want to see the religious left in office any longer.
I agree, anecdotal information isn't worth much. But you asked for proof that Republicans voted for Obama. I don't know how many, but at least a few did.
More to the point, those Republicans who either didn't vote or who voted for Democrats over Bush will probably continue to do so if Romney is stupid enough to select Jeb as a running mate. Many will still remember that Jeb is suspected of vote-rigging in Florida on behalf of his brother back in 2000, and I doubt he has much appeal to any but the most extreme on the wing-nut-right.
Personally, having Jeb Bush on the Republican ticket would suit me fine, as this would be a gift for the Obama campaign. But I can't imagine the Republican machine is capable of making such a gaffe twice in a row.
The religious left consist of TRRC The Radical Religious Communists. These commies will accept any denomination for their cause, their favourite being the $100 bill.
Even McCarthy couldn't expose them back in the day but look who knew of their existence. Will the miracles of the un-bridled machinations of a rugged individualist ever cease.
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