Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
The candidate was outraged - just outraged - at the country's sorry fiscal state. "We have managed to acquire $13 trillion of debt on our balance sheet," he fumed to a roomful of voters. "In my view, we have nothing to show for it." And that was a Democrat, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, who voted "yes" on the stimulus, the health-care overhaul, increased education funding and other costly bills Congress approved under his party's control. Faced with a potential wipeout in November's midterm elections, candidates such as Bennet are embracing budget cuts with the enthusiasm of Reagan Republicans.
Paul Hodes, the Democratic Senate candidate in New Hampshire, recently proposed $3 billion in spending cuts that would slice airport, railroad and housing funds. Elected to the House four years ago as an anti-war progressive, Hodes lamented that "for too long, both parties have willfully spent with no regard for our nation's debt."
The new push for austerity could prove too little, too late for Democrats, who fear losing their majorities in both chambers of Congress. In dozens of House and Senate races, incumbent Democrats are struggling in polls, leading political analysts to raise the serious prospect of Republican takeovers in the House and even the Senate. -- WaPo
"Good luck with that," Joe Scarborough tweets. "A mixed message, to say the least." As a new Rasmussen poll reveals, they've got their work cut out for them:
Heading into the final two months of the mid-term election campaign, most voters believe that Democrats in Congress want to raise taxes and spending while Republicans in Congress want to cut taxes and spending.
At the same time, most voters believe that reducing taxes and spending would be good for the economy.
Imagine.
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May '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Therefore....
Might the obvious October-surprise strategy for Obama and Dem leaders be to propose some specific tax and spending cuts? To grandstand on the issue? The specifics would not be suitable to Republicans, of course, but such a proposal would force Republicans to put up or shut up, and would also blur the distinctions between the two parties, exactly what Dems need at this point.
Edited on Sep 4, 2010 at 7:37amJul '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
With the Media's help we'll be sure to see that playing the Hit Game "NAME THAT PARTY" will be as dificult as ever.
Watch as the "D" is left off of every democrat running but instead they will refer to them as Rep. Soandso instead.
There are even traditionally democrat groups trying to register candidates under the "Tea Party" to confuse voters. (missing the point that the Tea Party has chosen to work within the Republican Party this go around.)
The Dims won in 2006 by sounding more Republican than Republicans, but their leadership makes them all toxic. It doesn't matter what they say, people are looking at how they voted and what they've done, which is why they are toast.
The simple truth is that the public, with sources of information which were lacking under Jimmah Carter, are a bit more savvy than they were in 1978, and still hold the beliefs they did in 1980.
People still believe Up is Up, Down is Down, Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong.
Hence, a Shellacing in 2010!
Aug '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
I was wondering about this the other day when I got this email from Barbara Boxer.
My first reaction was that I was in Bizarro-world. On actually reading it I was amused to see that the only specific budget changes are raise taxes on oil companies, raise protectionist taxes, cut the federal travel budget, let some of the Bush tax cuts expire, and end the wars. Oh, and cut "wasteful payments" whatever those are.
You'll notice two things about this list. First, the wars and the Bush tax cuts are serious budget items but the rest of this stuff is couch cushion change by federal government standards -- the equivalent of Republicans saying they'll solve the deficit by cutting pork. Second, there's not a word about entitlements or public employee compensation and pensions, just the general idea that we can balance the budget entirely by asking "What Would Cheney Do" and then doing the opposite.
Jun '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Since we all know that spending addicts (or crack addicts) can "quit anytime they want," I believe them. Problem solved. /s
Jun '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
I never thought I'd see the day when having a split personality would become a political asset. Then you can say: "Elect Bennet: It was that other crazy SOB who cast those stupid votes!"
Gotta love politics. They'll do anything for votes.
Jul '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Well, at least they've got a message.
Where's the Republican message?
We keep hearing rumbling that the GOP "leadership" is engaged in discussions to prepare an outline to craft a proposal to shape a set of bold steps to...
"I'm sorry, fellas, I got lost here. Bold steps to what?"
"Bold steps to shut Paul Ryan up, Mitch."
"Thanks, John. I'm sure everybody can agree on that..."
May '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Easy there, Tiger (Kenneth).
For the time being, the "party of no" is a decent message, and has fewer risks. The "Road Map" and any other positive agenda will require a new president for passage and a presidential campaign for explication. Until then, "gridlock" is the goal. Voters are gripping because of the Indy 500 pace of Obamunism. Right now, today, we're the brake pedal. Two years from now, we're the accelerator, with all the tough decisions that come with it.
Also, let's let McConnell and Boehner take the "obstructionists" bullets. They've got no future anyway. That way, our young guns--Ryan, Cantor and the rest--waltz in as "hope and change" with Barbour or Daniels or whomever as president.
Know what I mean?
Jul '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Scott Reusser: Easy there, Tiger (Kenneth).
For the time being, the "party of no" is a decent message, and has fewer risks. The "Road Map" and any other positive agenda will require a new president for passage and a presidential campaign for explication.
Also, let's let McConnell and Boehner take the "obstructionists" bullets. They've got no future anyway.
Know what I mean? · Sep 4 at 2:14pm
Let us recall that the "Party of No" was the Democrat's dismissive message, it wasn't some brilliant GOP strategy.
Let us also recall that the GOP leadership was quite willing to compromise in the early days of this administration - on health care, cap and trade and immigration.
It was the Tea Parties and widespread anger about the stimulus and health care reform that woke them up and stiffened their spines.
But let us not forget that McConnell, Boehner, Grassley, McCain and their ilk are compromisers by nature.
Compromise in the stately halls of government isn't going to reverse our national decline.
For that, we need brass knuckles. And other brass stuff.
Bring it on.
Edited on Sep 4, 2010 at 6:00pmMay '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Kenneth....But now the GOP needs to prove conclusively that they get it, once and for all. If that means crafting a set of policies that might give some independents the vapors, so be it.
Sooner or later, there's gonna have to be a knife fight.
Bring it on. · Sep 4 at 5:23pm
Edited on Sep 04 at 05:28 pm
Kenneth is to Scott as Patton is to Eisenhower.
First, we need to bring in reinforcements and prepare the battlefield by carpet bombing liberals in November. Giving independents the vapors precludes this vital bit of strategery. Patience.... But then again, you're the "pivot, invade Iran, overthrow the mullahs" guy.
You'll come in handy. Just not yet.
Jul '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Scott Reusser
Kenneth is to Scott as Patton is to Eisenhower.
First, we need to bring in reinforcements and prepare the battlefield by carpet bombing liberals in November. Giving independents the vapors precludes this vital bit of strategery. Patience.... But then again, you're the "pivot, invade Iran, overthrow the mullahs" guy.
You'll come in handy. Just not yet. · Sep 4 at 5:57pm
I am, as is my habit, engaging in hyperbole. So let me re-formulate:
I understand your point perfectly. And it is sage counsel.
But I don't trust the GOP leadership as far as I can toss a piano.
There is an intractable tendency among politicians to avoid accountability at all costs. Winning in 2010 is not good enough, these guys need to enunciate a set of clear principles and policies for which they can be held accountable in the 2012 primaries.
So that the voters can say, "We gave you the House (and hopefully the Senate) and you said you were gonna do X, Y and Z. You didn't deliver, so you're gone."
If we don't force that issue now, don't expect them to deliver later.
Jul '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Scott Reusser
Kenneth is to Scott as Patton is to Eisenhower.
First, we need to bring in reinforcements and prepare the battlefield by carpet bombing liberals in November. Giving independents the vapors precludes this vital bit of strategery. Patience.... But then again, you're the "pivot, invade Iran, overthrow the mullahs" guy.
You'll come in handy. Just not yet. · Sep 4 at 5:57pm
Did I say, "...overthrow the mullahs"?
I must have been having an uncharacteristically placid day.
What I meant to say was "eviscerate".
Jul '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
The Patton/Eisenhower analogy is apt. I'm humbled.
But I'd propose: Kenneth is to Scott as Charlie Manson is to Pat Boone.
May '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Kenneth......So that the voters can say, "We gave you the House (and hopefully the Senate) and you said you were gonna do X, Y and Z. You didn't deliver, so you're gone."
· Sep 4 at 6:10pm
I suspect we pretty much agree, with emphasis on "pretty much." My point is that for the next 2 years we'll likely be incapable of "doing" anything. So I would formulate a happy voter's thoughts thusly: "In 2010 you said you were going to block A, B, and C, and you did! Thanks! Now let's see you do X, Y, and Z, as you're now promising, in 2013, and with your very own president."
That's the plan. (Cue God laughing.)
May '10
Re: Foolproof Dem Plan: Run Against Ourselves
Ya, I am getting a Manson vibe from you. Me? Neil Diamond, baby, Neil Daimond.