bouray

Am I missing something??? On every conservative radio talk show I hear, the hosts are going on and on about how the country has spoken and voted "morality" over "liberalism". There is not a shortage of opinions from these talk show host about what the Democrats need to do to regain their position in national politics. All I hear is that the Democratic party has fallen out of sync with the American citizen because of there "too liberal" views and in order to fix these things they must leave there liberal roots behind and "see the conservative light". Why are these people so concerned about the Democrats coming back into power??? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to let the Democrats keep on doing what they are doing so that the Repubs. could keep their power?

Now...the Republican party runs the White House, Congress, and will possibly have a "conservative" majority on the Supreme Court...isn't this what the talk shows have been calling for, waiting for, preaching to us that the country needs this to move forward. I've been hearing this for the last 12 years; so by all accounts, the next 4 years should be the most prosperous (in terms of rebounding from the last 4) in our country's history. So why wouldn't these people just want to keep on the same path---let the democratic party keep self destructing and then our country will continue to prosper. If it all goes as planned, there will be no reason for any republican senator, congressman, or president to be replaced by someone of the opposite party.

My personal opinion is that they just want everyone to conform to their views. If you disagree with anything the "moral majority" has to say, then you are an evil, treasonous America hater. So the best way to get people to conform: show them how they have erred and how your way is the right way (but do it quick, before your way is proven to be ineffective). Please don't think I'm trying to start a flame war, I truly believe that neither of these two parties have gotten it right. Anyone who can't see past party lines when it comes to issues are truly blinded to the ways of the world. I think that just because the majority feels it is right, it doesn't make it so (the same is true for the opposite). The best thing for this country is a little political disagreement because that should make everyone think about what is going on and whether we are on the right path.
I also feel these talk show host are already trying to prepare for what happens if this experiment in government doesn't go as they plan. If the country goes to shit over the next few years and Democrats win back some of those seats, then they can say "You see, they changed like I said and then they got elected". In my opinion, if the country goes down, changes will be made across the board--without any Democrats changing there positions.

Just my $0.02--- Any comments???

Clark

In my view it has been the plan of Republicans to move the country to the right. That is what the constant call of liberal media is about. Any media left of Rush is call liberal so the media as a whole has moved to the right to seem unbiased but now they have moved right of center. Now they are trying to move the Democratic party to the right if they can get the democrat’s to be a center right party and they are a far right party then the conservatives have won.

What I find most annoying about the call that the democrats are out of touch with the main stream is that 48% of the US voted for an uncharismatic democrat for president. I would say that there is no main stream now but two different streams.

The republicans in the end are pushing there agenda. What we need is a new charismatic progressive to revitalize the democratic party.

now we have $0.04

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Lebell

I am by no means a member of the "moral majority".

Indeed, I am at odds with many of their positions.

Yet I know what they are talking about and also feel that the Democrats are out of touch with my concerns.

The Democrats don't need to become the new "Moral Majority", but they also need to get back to center if they expect to remain a viable party in the future, IMO.

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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis

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Manx

The remaining 96 cents:

The Republicans are playing the only card that makes any sense for them: claim the middle, express shock at how far away the Democrats have drifted. What are they supposed to do? Suggest that most people don't support the Republican agenda?

The Democrats are simply left with one option: master the art of deceit as effectively as the Republicans have. They're all deceptive, it's just that the Republicans have the upper hand when it comes to deception, as evidenced by their ability to convince just over 1.5 million people of the "benefits" of the Republican position.

There's a lot more to it than just that, but this brings us up to $1.00.

sob

You might need to review your numbers a little bit. Bush got a shade more than 1.5 million votes.

I also like to think that the results were partly due to Kerry's inability to convince the American people that their taxes are too low.

Ustwo

Bush gained in almost every segment by %.

Jews, Hispanics, even GAYS.

Keep thinking its some moral christian right thing.

You know the one place GWB lost voter support, I bet you won't guess....

RURAL VOTERS! He was down 6% there.

I do wish I could give you the link but its part of the pay Gallup site. I'll keep my eyes out if its around in free form.

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irateplatypus

the reason conservatives want to help the democrats is because they're viewing the situation from an ideological, not partisan perspective. most of them couldn't care lessa bout the republican party as a political entity... their main motivation is the strength of the conservative voice in politics. the republican party has been their primary vehicle for a conservative agenda lately... but if democrats can be called further to the right by the siren song of more support among the population, they're just as happy.

basically, they see democrats as being dominated by far-left self promoters and would like to see the moderate democratic base shake off the more radically left elements of their party. this would solidify the overall support for conservative policy.

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If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

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Ustwo

Exactly, give us JFK instead of Carter and we might start switching again.

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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host

Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

Manx

Bush had a 3 million surplus. Therefore, if the Republican deceit had been less effective than the Democrat deceit for 1.5 million and 1 of those voters, the result would be the greater success of the Democrat's deceit.

It's math.

Agent_Orange

Having listened to Patriot Radio here in minneapolis for a couple of years now. I have learned even though they call it "talk radio", it is really complaint radio. All they do is complain about every little thing the Left does and how they are getting outta control and needs to be stopped. Well apparently the Left has been stopped and the Right Wing Radio personalities have to be creative if they want to keep their jobs, so what better way to rag on the Left than to point out how wrong they were and that they need to move to the right if they ever want to be strong party again.

Wouldnt it be ironic, that in this economy, the next people to lose their jobs would be the Right Talk Show Hosts.

BTW Savage Nation with Mike Savage is a great listen.

dksuddeth

my take on it, the republicans NEED to keep the democrats somewhat competitive. If the moderates were ever to organize and form a political party, the republicans would lose piecemeal on a daily basis.

aliali

It's possible that these hosts you are talking about are giving you their honest analysis. Like it or not--agree with it or not--it is reasonable analysis to state that the democratic party in Washington has become elitist, hateful, arrogant, and out of touch. The truth or falsehood of the message has nothing to do with who you heard it from.

aliali

Maybe JFKerry's deceit was so much more effective than anything W said. The way I figure it, Kerry would have gotten 23 million less votes if not for his disceit on various issue (which I will not divulge here for the sake of consistency). W actually lost 4 million votes because his deceipt was ineffective in bringing in new voters. Therefore, Kerry's deceipt was far more effective in getting more votes than the truth about him ever could, but it was not enough.

joeshoe

They're probably just being arrogant and like pointing out mistakes. Also, they're trying to imply that the conservatives are on the right track.

Unright

You're kidding right? Mr. Michael "It's not your fault you're stupid, the liberal media made you that way" Savage is a great listen??

Well.. maybe..

I usually try to listen to Savage on my way home for work and see how long I can listen before he says something blatantly false or awe-inspiringly stupid that I have to switch stations.

My record is about 7 min.

Boo

IMO - The opinions voiced here are actually a very small minority of the general populace in my area(remember that my state and the large military presence here are mostly conservative). Most Democrats that I talk with daily are of the conservative nature. This is enforced nationally by the numbers of voters against gay marriage in the states that had it on the ballot. While I respect the right to an opinion, and the right to voice it, I do wonder where some TFP members get their far leftist views and why there seems to be a disproportionate number here on TFP.

I believe that while gay marriage, legalization of weed, and other issues may be a hot topic here on TFP, they have little or no support with the conservative Democrat. I believe that unless the Democrats mentor a conservative candidate, the Republicans will continue to have a majority. Unfortunately, this can lead to a huge imbalance in the legislative process. This imbalance can only make the minority feel left out.

I am grateful that every one here has been truthful with their opinions, though some make my blood curl. They at least make me reevaluate my current standings on the issues.

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alansmithee

I think this is close to the reason. They got what could be seen as a large validation of their views, and are now being patronizing after winning. I don't think anyone really thinks the hosts are about improving the Democratic party, but it sounds nicer to talk of helping someone than just bashing them. Honestly, I don't like many political talk show hosts because they seem more about self-aggrandizing than being informative, entertaining, or
thought-provoking.

Mike Savage is one of the few I like. Even when I disagree, at least you know where he stands.

Unright

The problem is that "Republican" and "Conservative" aren't interchangable.

The original goals of the two parties are much different than they are today. Democrats are more progressive in that they want the government to create and maintain programs to help those that are disadvantaged. Also they seek to put more restrictions on Big Business to try to keep greed and rampant ecological disasters in check.

The Republicans aim to have lesser government interferance in our lives. They attempt to get rid of government programs that impede business and causes taxes to be too high.

In short, political parties are based on different economic approaches to steer the government towards. Morality is something that varies from politician to politician, regardless of party. It is possible to have Liberal Republicans and Conservative Democrats.

Lately, Conservatives have pretty much taken over the GOP. When Republicans won the Senate, House of Representatives, & the White House, "experts" declared the moral majority had spoken because gay marriage was banned in 11 states and exit polls showed 22% voted on "moral values" over other issues such as terrorism.

Since the election has been over, conservatives are claiming that they won because the Democrats are out of touch because they "lean too far to the left". Those arguments are simply ridiculous. 48% of the vote to the Democrats is not being "out of touch". In fact, if 75k Ohioans had voted the other way, Bush would have lost. Such a slim margin does not indicate such a massive majority that the Democrats need to change tactics.

Instead, I think that conservatives are trying to takeover the Democratic party as well. If they succeed in making both major party conservative, then their chances of pushing their agenda increases dramatically.

Sorry, I seemed to have rambled.. Just my 2 cents (not ajusted for inflation)

Locobot

excellent post Unright--well said.

I feel that unless the Democratic party is able to differentiate itself significantly from the Republicans than they may as well not field a candidate. My impression of Kerry's support was that many people who would be better represented by Nader, Kucinich, or Dean instead voted for Kerry as a compromise to unseat the extreme-right Bush administration. The Republicans were very successful, as usual, in demonizing Kerry--portraying him as a far-left extremist. Those of us following the election from the primaries forward were somewhat surprised by this. Kerry was the most conservative of all the Democrat candidates for president sans Lieberman.

For you Republicans waxing nostalgic for a candidate like JFKennedy what if I told you the Democrats had nominated someone who followed Kennedy and worked on his campaign as a young adult? Someone who changed their middle name in tribute to Kennedy after he was assassinated? Someone from Kennedy's home state who sought the withdrawl from Vietnam that Kennedy was planning before his death? Someone who was essentially raised and educated in a way that mirrored Kennedy's own upbringing? Sound enticing? Unless you voted for Kerry you missed your chance. Kerry was the closest thing to Kennedy we've seen in a long time in the presidential race (since Edward Kennedy's 1984 Pres. bid).

Do you really think that if JFKennedy were running today that the Republicans wouldn't portray him as a "Massachusetts Liberal with Hollywood-style charisma?" Do you really think any Rush-dittoheads wouldn't buy into the demonization of any candidate running against the Republicans?