Watching Markos Moulitsas, of Daily Kos fame, on “Meet the Press” Sunday, I was reminded of the sentiment I find often in the diaries on Green Mountain Daily. There is this entrenched belief among the liberal netroots that they represent mainstream America.
That would be like me trying to claim that Ann Coulter represents mainstream America.
If, as Moulitsas and his posse are hoping, the Democratic Party comes out unapologetically for the liberal, sorry, I mean progressive, agenda in the election next year, it will be the best thing that could happen for the Republican Party.
Right now, even the most faithful of GOP voters are reeling from the massive disappointment that is the Bush Presidency.
Every faction of the right was let down in some way. From the neo-cons, who feel he mishandled their war, to the fiscal conservatives, who are outraged at the deficit, to the small government types, who are aghast at the expanded scope of the government, there is massive disillusionment with Bush and the Republican Party.
The top-tier candidates seeking the GOP presidential nomination don’t exactly rally the enthusiasm the party needs to recover from the let down.
The candidates that stand on firm principles are, unfortunately, not going to make it to the top.
There is still time for things to change before the nominee is decided, but the outlook is pretty bleak for the Republican Party.
But, if the Democratic candidate runs on the left, and does not moderate for the general election, the electorate from hard right to center will rally against the leftist agenda. America, as a whole, is not liberal. Not even close.
I doubt that we will see my theory tested, though. What I am telling you is no secret, and we’ll see the Democratic candidate run for the center as soon as the nomination is secure.
August 15th, 2007 at 12:46 am
The candidates that stand on firm principles are, unfortunately, not going to make it to the top.
Because whack jobs like Tancredo, Brownback and Paul are so far out of the mainstream, they don’t have a chance.
I don’t think this is an overly liberal nation, nor a more conservative one. I DO know that cities tend to be more liberal and there are many, many more people in the cities than the rural areas.
See, the problem here, is none of the Dem candidates are running any kind of ‘leftist’ agenda (part of the problem, where I see it). It’s just more of the “mushy middle” the Dems have been serving up time and time again.
That said, CHarity, I think you miss the point that there are many Americans who don’t view government as always an enemy, and do see that we can’t trust the private sector to handle certain things effectively.
The Dems are going to win the WH, there’s no doubt in my mind, whehter they deserve it or not. The GOP is a freakshow this time around… the ones who aren’t wingnuts are pandering to the wingnuts. But if the Dems move to the ‘center’ they won’t win nearly as much as if they don’t. People are getting tired of conservatism as it’s been in this country in the past 30 years. It’s failed miserably.
August 15th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I disagree with J.D. Ryan that Sam Brownback and Ron Paul are “whackjobs”. Sen. Brownback is a man with great foreign policy experience whose faith informs his politics and cares deeply about the life issue. Congressman Paul is 100% right on the Iraqi War, the role of government, and original intent for interpreting the Constitution. While Paul is a long-shot Brownback would make an excellent president over the likes of Guiliani, McCain, Romney, and Thompson.
The Democrats aren’t leftwing enough? Obviously Mr. Ryan forgets they are all pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-socialized medicine and pro-tax progressives, not to mention all against this War in Iraq (although I’m against it also so it is not necessary a liberal stance).
Conservatives do not see government as the enemy, we just want it returned to its proper sphere in society with limited power.
I do agree that the Dems will win in 2008 but not because the GOP contenders are wingnuts or are pandering to them. Nor is it due to the failure of conservatism. It will be due to a failure of Republicanism, with all its scandals, its war, and its whole host of other baggage. To see George W. Bush as a conservative is to ignore 40-50 years of true conservative philosophy that found its way into policy. Bush is no Kirk or Hayek and he certainly is no Goldwater or Reagan. If progressives win in 2008 it won’t be due to an attraction to their ideas but rather a rejection of Republican ones.
November 9th, 2007 at 2:48 am
“America, as a whole, is not liberal. Not even close.”
I’d need to see some evidence of that statement before I’d agree to it…what I’ve seen some far on a whole host of issues would lead me to the opposite opinion. It’s just our “leaders” refuse to act in a progressive way, which I think is much more popular if you look at things issue by issue. I think a majority of America is, in fact, pro-choice, for some form of single-payer health-care system, pro-tax progressivness, and anti-Iraq War…among other things.