Culture Gap Could Keep Democrats From Gaining Seats in 2006

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Most Americans are not "pro-choice"; an overwhelming majority are moderates and favour restrictions of some kind but not an outright ban. Most Americans are apalled by groups like NARAL.

Some examples would be nice. But I don't recall them telling Boxer to shut up

about what? She just votes liberal, doesn't make Santorum-esque comments.

Most Americans are not "pro-choice"; an overwhelming majority are moderates and favour restrictions of some kind but not an outright ban. Most Americans are apalled by groups like NARAL.

Most Americans do not agree with the religious right agenda and are appalled by groups like the Christian Coalition too.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Scoonie has the right idea.

I'm not sure what exactly Al is suggesting.

jfern is out of touch.

All Republicans are even worse since their definition of "moving to the center" is simply becoming acceptable to the radicals like Robertson, Falwell and Moore.

[KEmperor]

Well, I'm glad Al isn't running the Democratic Party.  They might actually win that way.

[Blue Rectangle]

Fiscal conservatives don't vote Republican today

Hilarious.

[KEmperor]

Fiscal conservatives don't vote Republican today

Hilarious.

Indeed.

[TheresNoMoney]

Well, I'm glad Al isn't running the Democratic Party.  They might actually win that way.

And continue to sell out the interests of working class/middle class Americans.

What good is that?

[Virginian87]

How the hell are we ever going to make progress if our two major political factions both cater to uneducated, rural voters.  

Recent polls show that Democrats are making good headway with rural voters who are becoming  more concerned with the war and economic issues.

Running pro-gun candidates also helps a lot in rural areas. Paul Hackett kicked ass in the rural counties of Ohio's District 2. I would really like to see the Democratic party reach out to rural voters. We can win them over.

We need to show them that big-business Republicans don't care about rural voters.  Emphasize economics, not social issues.  

The New Democratic Network is a good organization too.

[KEmperor]

Well, I'm glad Al isn't running the Democratic Party.  They might actually win that way.

And continue to sell out the interests of working class/middle class Americans.

What good is that?

You are accusing Al of wanting to sell out the "working class?"  That is hilarious.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Scoonie has the right idea.

I'm not sure what exactly Al is suggesting.

jfern is out of touch.

All Republicans are even worse since their definition of "moving to the center" is simply becoming acceptable to the radicals like Robertson, Falwell and Moore.

How am I out of touch? All I was doing was pointing out that Al's ideas of having the Democratic party condemn anyone who isn't a conservative, and move to the right are just asking for the demise of the party.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Fiscal conservatives don't vote Republican today

Hilarious.

Ever noticed the national debt? Fiscal conservatives don't vote for a huge national debt.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

You are accusing Al of wanting to sell out the "working class?"  That is hilarious.

Al doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed.

[TheresNoMoney]

You are accusing Al of wanting to sell out the "working class?"  That is hilarious.

If Al wants us to become more like Republicans, that's what we'd have to do. That's what many DLC Democrats have also done in the past (during the Clinton era as well).

[Blue Rectangle]

Fiscal conservatives don't vote Republican today

Hilarious.

Ever noticed the national debt? Fiscal conservatives don't vote for a huge national debt.

Let's review Kerry's talking points from 2004:
--Bush failed to fully fund NCLB
--Bush's Prescription Drug Coverage doesn't go far enough
--Bush doesn't give states and cities enough money for Homeland Security
--Bush isn't spending enough on our troops in Iraq
--We don't have enough troops, let's increase the ranks with incentives
--We need to give health coverage to every American

Let's review Kerry's 2004 spending cut proposals
--<File Not Found>

The Democrats won't attract fiscal conservatives until they stop presenting a huge laundry list of new spending every time they run for office.

[KEmperor]

Fiscal conservatives don't vote Republican today

Hilarious.

Ever noticed the national debt? Fiscal conservatives don't vote for a huge national debt.

Let's review Kerry's talking points from 2004:
--Bush failed to fully fund NCLB
--Bush's Prescription Drug Coverage doesn't go far enough
--Bush doesn't give states and cities enough money for Homeland Security
--Bush isn't spending enough on our troops in Iraq
--We don't have enough troops, let's increase the ranks with incentives
--We need to give health coverage to every American

Let's review Kerry's 2004 spending cut proposals
--<File Not Found>

The Democrats won't attract fiscal conservatives until they stop presenting a huge laundry list of new spending every time they run for office.

Don't forget getting rid of Bush's tax cuts.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Fiscal conservatives don't vote Republican today

Hilarious.

Ever noticed the national debt? Fiscal conservatives don't vote for a huge national debt.

Let's review Kerry's talking points from 2004:
--Bush failed to fully fund NCLB
--Bush's Prescription Drug Coverage doesn't go far enough
--Bush doesn't give states and cities enough money for Homeland Security
--Bush isn't spending enough on our troops in Iraq
--We don't have enough troops, let's increase the ranks with incentives
--We need to give health coverage to every American

Let's review Kerry's 2004 spending cut proposals
--<File Not Found>

The Democrats won't attract fiscal conservatives until they stop presenting a huge laundry list of new spending every time they run for office.

The Democratic party isbetter at balancing the deficit. In fact, National Debt / GDP has decreased under every Democrat since WWII, and increased under every Republican Ford and later.

I wouldn't claim that the Democratic party is super fiscally conservative, but they certainly beat the Republicans. You want super fiscally conservative, you can vote Libertarian.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I sincerely hope no one here actually believes Bush is a fiscal conservative.

[TheresNoMoney]

Imagine how much money we'd have if the Republicans stopped billions of dollars in corporate welfare each year.

That would be the first thing I'd cut.

[A18]

I support cutting that too, and if we could get a half decent Supreme Court, the government would have to quit pretending it was constitutional.

[TheresNoMoney]

The prescription drug plan was loaded with billions in corporate welfare:

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/4449/1/141/

This article also shows one of the reasons Barbara Boxer is a great Senator.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

You seem to not understand how far right the Republicans are.

The Republican Party is not the issue here

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And? Did I say they weren't?

You still can't tell me how Barbara Boxer is "loony".

Because she is an extremist?

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When did I say that?

about what? She just votes liberal, doesn't make Santorum-esque comments.

Maybe not from your perspective, but then you *are* very liberal. Think about some of the stuff she's said from the point of view of ordinary working class voters.

Most Americans do not agree with the religious right agenda and are appalled by groups like the Christian Coalition too.

True. But that's not the issue here. Most Americans do not see the religious right as in any way representing the national GOP... but a significant proportion, almost certainly a majority, do see far left liberals as somehow representing the national Democrats.

I'm not sure what exactly Al is suggesting.

Shouldn't be hard to work out; move into the mainstream, critise the loony left, sever ties with extremist groups, win elections

You are accusing Al of wanting to sell out the "working class?"  That is hilarious.

How am I out of touch?

Who won Ohio?

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When did I say that?

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I said move into the mainstream

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Al doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed.

I think I'll take that as a compliment...

If Al wants us to become more like Republicans

No... no... I don't think I said that...

[AuH2O]

jfern for DNC chair. He'd be "better" than Dean.

[MODU]

Al, looks like you are feeling the love today.  

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

You seem to not understand how far right the Republicans are.

The Republican Party is not the issue here

Yes, it is. They prove that you don't have to be spineless and move to the center to win.

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And? Did I say they weren't?
[/quote]
So do you want the Democratic party to join the 12% who oppose that?

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Because she is an extremist?
[/quote]
Brilliant argument.

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When did I say that?
[/quote]
When you said that the Democratic party should abandon their base.

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Maybe not from your perspective, but then you *are* very liberal. Think about some of the stuff she's said from the point of view of ordinary working class voters.
[/quote]
Huh? She's one of the most pro-worker Senators.

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True. But that's not the issue here. Most Americans do not see the religious right as in any way representing the national GOP... but a significant proportion, almost certainly a majority, do see far left liberals as somehow representing the national Democrats.
[/quote]
I doubt it's most, and in any case, these people are ing stupid. You don't care about the most liberal 86% of Americans, anyways.

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Shouldn't be hard to work out; move into the mainstream, critise the loony left, sever ties with extremist groups, win elections
[/quote]
Umm, that last one doesn't go with the others. Voters don't vote for spineless wimps who stand for nothing and flip flop on every issue.

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Who won Ohio?
[/quote]
How is this relevant? If the election was held today, Kerry would win. I see you offering no constructive advice, and instead are just mindlessly bashing the Democratic party.

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When did I say that?
[/quote]
You said that the Democratic party should abandon the left, dumbass.

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I said move into the mainstream
[/quote]
They're already right of center on many issues. Do you want them to get more pro-war, more anti-worker, and so on? Change your avatar.

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No... no... I don't think I said that...
[/quote]
That's exactly what you said.

[TheresNoMoney]

Because she is an extremist?

Another indepth analysis there. You still can't give me specific examples of how she's "loony" or "extremist". You're just repeating right-wing spin.

Think about some of the stuff she's said from the point of view of ordinary working class voters.

Barbara Boxer has been one of the top supporters of working class Americans. She has big support from labor organizations and consistently votes in the best economic interests of working Americans. Your quote shows me your complete lack of credibility in criticizing Boxer.

True. But that's not the issue here. Most Americans do not see the religious right as in any way representing the national GOP...

Ridiculous. For anyone who didn't know before, the Terri Schiavo debacle opened their eyes, as well as "Justice Sunday" and James Dobson consistently advocating for the Republican party on TV.

Shouldn't be hard to work out; move into the mainstream, critise the loony left, sever ties with extremist groups, win elections

How SPECIFICALLY do we need to move into the mainstream. Let's hear your ideas. And who are these "extremist" groups?

[Virginian87]

In terms of her views compared to most Americans, I would say Boxer is farther to the left than most of the Democrat senators.