Why the GOP is "perceived" to be out of touch

[sg0508]

Largely, the population of the challengers to the president right now are seen as "loons".

In addition, rather than talking about the economy, jobs the national debt and other domestic issues, which are the OBVIOUS matters right now for probably 90% of Americans, we have Bachmann and Perry talking about:

1) Gay Marriage
2) Abortion
3) Ridiculous fiscal goals that are not feasible
4) Other Fringe issues that nobody quite frankly gives a s..t about.

You want to see what's wrong.  This is it.  Currently, I'm in Atlanta, which isn't very conservative, but it's amazing how many times I've heard since being down here that Perry is clearly out of touch with what's important to America. 

[Simfan34]

Largely, the population of the challengers to the president right now are seen as "loons".

In addition, rather than talking about the economy, jobs the national debt and other domestic issues, which are the OBVIOUS matters right now for probably 90% of Americans, we have Bachmann and Perry talking about:

1) Gay Marriage
2) Abortion
3) Ridiculous fiscal goals that are not feasible
4) Other Fringe issues that nobody quite frankly gives a s..t about.

You want to see what's wrong.  This is it.  Currently, I'm in Atlanta, which isn't very conservative, but it's amazing how many times I've heard since being down here that Perry is clearly out of touch with what's important to America. 

[King]

Because "they are."

[Rockefeller]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

[sg0508]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

Incorrect.  Not one democrat over the last year has spoken about the "fringe issues" as the economy continues to struggle.  There's the difference.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Somebody must give a crap about them or they wouldn't be talking about them.


The problem is what you call for is exclusivity, complete exclusivity of issues which is completely impossible. No party is going to have uniform opinions on everything and I frankly don't see the problem with talking about Abortion or whatever, as long the economy gets enough primary focus. The beauty of this internet age is you can choose what to listen to and what not to. If you don't want to hear a candidate's social issues, then change the station or pick a different youtube clip when they are on those matters.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

When you think about it, you actually risk making it more out of touch.

[sg0508]

Somebody must give a crap about them or they wouldn't be talking about them.


The problem is what you call for is exclusivity, complete exclusivity of issues which is completely impossible. No party is going to have uniform opinions on everything and I frankly don't see the problem with talking about Abortion or whatever, as long the economy gets enough primary focus. The beauty of this internet age is you can choose what to listen to and what not to. If you don't want to hear a candidate's social issues, then change the station or pick a different youtube clip when they are on those matters. And America will, when they give "by default" an electoral landslide to Obama next year.  

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Largely, the population of the challengers to the president right now are seen as "loons".

In addition, rather than talking about the economy, jobs the national debt and other domestic issues, which are the OBVIOUS matters right now for probably 90% of Americans, we have Bachmann and Perry talking about:

1) Gay Marriage
2) Abortion
3) Ridiculous fiscal goals that are not feasible
4) Other Fringe issues that nobody quite frankly gives a s..t about.

You want to see what's wrong.  This is it.  Currently, I'm in Atlanta, which isn't very conservative, but it's amazing how many times I've heard since being down here that Perry is clearly out of touch with what's important to America. 

What's the point of this empty quoting?

[Former Moderate]

An overreliance on social issues combined with a willingness to push for tax cuts for the super rich.

[memphis]

An overreliance on social issues combined with a willingness to push for tax cuts for the super rich.

They're not just willing to give the super rich tax cuts. That's their entire raison d'etre.

[Simfan34]

Largely, the population of the challengers to the president right now are seen as "loons".

In addition, rather than talking about the economy, jobs the national debt and other domestic issues, which are the OBVIOUS matters right now for probably 90% of Americans, we have Bachmann and Perry talking about:

1) Gay Marriage
2) Abortion
3) Ridiculous fiscal goals that are not feasible
4) Other Fringe issues that nobody quite frankly gives a s..t about.

You want to see what's wrong.  This is it.  Currently, I'm in Atlanta, which isn't very conservative, but it's amazing how many times I've heard since being down here that Perry is clearly out of touch with what's important to America. 

What's the point of this empty quoting?

An expression of agreement. I thought that was done here. Is it not? If so, I apologize.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

It's frowned upon by certain people. Some of whom just happen to be Moderators, coincidentally. 

[Progressive]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

What's radical about legalizing gay marriage? It's not like us liberals are trying to force everyone to attend a gay wedding. And abortion? It's issues that don't concern everyone and only benefit those who choose to use the services.

[Progressive Realist]

An overreliance on social issues combined with a willingness to push for tax cuts for the super rich.

They're not just willing to give the super rich tax cuts. That's their entire raison d'etre.

Yeah, the GOP in general doesn't care about "social issues" except for election purposes.

How did "Party of small government and fiscal responsibility" evolve into "TAX CUTS GOOD, SPENDING BAD, also payroll taxes aren't real taxes/"?

[realisticidealist]

I don't think social issues really has much to do with it. I think it's more the focus on catering to the upper class and 'corporations' that influences people more on this front. The few who deny obvious scientific stuff don't help matters, though.

[Progressive Realist]

The GOP is also becoming increasingly defined as anger -reactionary, virulent anger-at liberals, at multiculturalism, at science, at secularism, at anything that upsets the idealized "past."

Thus, you have culture warriors, tax-cut zealots, business aristocrats, and religious fanatics pushing an agenda of "No", which is no agenda at all.

Of course, the Tea Party doesn't help the GOP's efforts to broaden their electorate..which is why the Republicans have a very energetic "base" but almost no power beyond that.

[Link]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

I don't see Obama or Biden bring these issues up... ever.  When the courts turned against the laws the administration did not defend DOMA but it did fight to delay immediate repeal of don't ask don't tell.

Sometimes its actually nice to talk about the FACTS.

[stegosaurus]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

Incorrect.  Not one democrat over the last year has spoken about the "fringe issues" as the economy continues to struggle.  There's the difference.

Yeah, because repealing DADT was imperative to ensuring economic stability.

[white trash heroes]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

Incorrect.  Not one democrat over the last year has spoken about the "fringe issues" as the economy continues to struggle.  There's the difference.

Yeah, because repealing DADT was imperative to ensuring economic stability.

Did anyone actually care about that?

[Link]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

Incorrect.  Not one democrat over the last year has spoken about the "fringe issues" as the economy continues to struggle.  There's the difference.

Yeah, because repealing DADT was imperative to ensuring economic stability.

There are three branches of government here in the United States.  Obama is the head of the EXECUTIVE branch.

The JUDICIAL branch struck down DADT.  Obama tried to delay the judicial branch's decision from taking effect immediately.

Let's try and discuss the FACTS.

[CathKhan]

Getting back to the actual topic, I'm getting sick of hearing certain people whine about social conservatives. Yes, the economy is issue number one, yes the deficit and debt are important. However, if you truly believe that abortion is the killing of a child, then by all means, why wouldn't it be an important issue? If it's killing, and I believe it is, then why should I remain silent about it? Hmmmm??....

[white trash heroes]

Getting back to the actual topic, I'm getting sick of hearing certain people whine about social conservatives. Yes, the economy is issue number one, yes the deficit and debt are important. However, if you truly believe that abortion is the killing of a child, then by all means, why wouldn't it be an important issue? If it's killing, and I believe it is, then why should I remain silent about it? Hmmmm??....

That issue doesn't really correlate as much as you'd think with other attitudes, particularly with our generation.

[stegosaurus]

Liberals talk just about their radical positions gay marriage and abortion as much as Republicans do.  Its just that Democrats are not hounded by the liberal media. 

Incorrect.  Not one democrat over the last year has spoken about the "fringe issues" as the economy continues to struggle.  There's the difference.

Yeah, because repealing DADT was imperative to ensuring economic stability.

There are three branches of government here in the United States.  Obama is the head of the EXECUTIVE branch.

The JUDICIAL branch struck down DADT.  Obama tried to delay the judicial branch's decision from taking effect immediately.

Let's try and discuss the FACTS.

Congratulations, you have a rudimentary knowledge of the "separation of powers". I was only illustrating that it's absurd to suggest that those in the Democratic Party haven't touched on social issues during the economic downturn. Equally absurd would be to suggest that to do so would be indicative of some level of incompetence. Even though social issues are not the primary focus, to pretend they simply don't exist is intellectually lazy and reckless.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Somebody must give a crap about them or they wouldn't be talking about them.


The problem is what you call for is exclusivity, complete exclusivity of issues which is completely impossible. No party is going to have uniform opinions on everything and I frankly don't see the problem with talking about Abortion or whatever, as long the economy gets enough primary focus. The beauty of this internet age is you can choose what to listen to and what not to. If you don't want to hear a candidate's social issues, then change the station or pick a different youtube clip when they are on those matters.

And America will, when they give "by default" an electoral landslide to Obama next year. 

If no one cares about it, why the hell does it matter.

Do you not see the problem with insisting the party cater 100% to you demands and 0% anyone else's should they conflict?

It sounds to me like you want to replace one group of arrogant, self-rightous people with another and it's all okay because your group is of course 100% right and they are completely wrong. Personally, I don't see any difference between what you want to do and what Conservatives have been doing to you guys, except reversing the equation. Purification has the same effect regardless of which direction the ideological pendulum swings. It doesn't work. You can't just drowned conservatives in an ocean somewhere and be done with them. You either have to work with them or place yourself in a different party from them. Thats the fact of political life in a polarized world and you clearly don't want to un-polarize the nation because you oppose a big tent party.

The GOP was out of touch in the 1950's when it was viewed as a party of rich northeastern Protestants. They didn't do very well then either. When Westerners decided to seek more influence, the answer from the NE Establishment was "Purge the nuts" and look what happened. They destroyed themselves within the party and the Democrats denied them consistent victory in elections.