Posted by
Sanity 102 on Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:09:19 AM
Even before the lost of the 2008 election, conservatives have been pondering why Liberals seem to get away with so many "sins". Surely, the hypocrisy and the bias of the Left is so obvious, good and decent Americans should reject Democrats at every poll!
Only, most Americans stand in the middle, leaning Left on some issues, Right on others. Most Americans do not pay attention to politics. Most couldn't tell you who the Vice President is; what state Nancy is from, and exactly what are the 3 branches of government. They are more likely to know who got eliminated on American Idol, who won the Super Bowl, and how many Mission Impossible movies there are.
Now, as perhaps the worst president to ever occupy the oval office finishes his first 50 days, many who would like to see the GOP take back Congress in 2010 and the White House in 2012 are starting to understand that ideological purity is a luxury serious grown ups know they cannot afford--and that only the winner gets to decide who defines marriage, gun rights, how much to spend and where to spend it, and what kind of defense this nation will mount if attacked.
And most importantly, they are finally beginning to comprehend that despite all the claims to the contrary, NEITHER Democrats or Republicans can win WITHOUT the middle.
So it's cram time: to win the middle, you need to understand, REALLY understand just how the middle views Democrats and Republicans.
I have written many posts trying to get conservatives to see that from where I sit (and I believe most Independents), if the base of the GOP has loyalty as an option, it does NOT bode well for Republicans...loyalty, yes even blind loyalty is what we expect to give to the company that signs our paychecks, to the family that nurtures us, and to the nation where we live. It is the least of the requirements of decent folk--and to view it as something that is optional makes all claims to having "values" and "principles" appear empty rhetoric.
But, conservatives love saying that surely those on the Right are much more morally superior than the Left.
They say that because they see Democrats thru the eyes of conservatism.
So to win the middle to the GOP in 2010 and 2012, let me tell you how Democrats appear to most Americans.
--When Democrats close ranks and defend one of their own, they appeal to every voter who want and expect "true" friends and co-workers to do the same.
--When Democrats want to take everyone's money and pay someone to take care of the homeless and the sick, voters who are a pay check away from losing it all thinks it's a good idea.
--When Democrats want to take care of grandma and help our children pay for college, voters know that without these social programs, parents and grown children may have to come and live with them--and baby boomers (the largest voting block) like their freedom and the idea that the family obligation of previous generations can be "shared" by all.
--When the MSM shows bias toward Democrats, voters find it hard to see bias since there doesn't seem to be another side to the story when conservative pundits, bloggers, and talk show hosts start every half hearted defensive of the GOP and Bush with the words: "I don't agree with everything that he/they've done but..." and "I agree with you that Bush failed/did wrong/spent too much/should have but..."
--When Democrats get caught in a lie--or doing something unethical, voters think, well they ARE politicians, not nuns--and haven't we ALL sinned, lied, did something that was not quite right?
--When Democrats want to talk about domestic issues (aka social programs), voters see Democrats as taking care of business at HOME. Most voters have never been to Europe or the Middle East and couldn't care less what was going on half way around the world. The tremendous courage of purple fingers only made a fleeting impression, like the high of winning a come from behind game or watching someone from your home town win a gold medal at the Olympics.
Does this mean that the Dems can't be beat? Of course not. But to beat any opponent, one must learn the first rule of any competition: KNOW your opponents' strengths...respect them and never underestimate them.
My next post will deal with their weaknesses--and how Republicans can exploit them.