Maybe the left is right: The moronic GOP referendum strategy

[Core Imposter]

The constant liberal refrain is demeaning to both conservative thought and the intelligence of the electorate. Republicans are stupid. Dumb as tree stumps. Insentient.

Maybe once in a while the GOP lives up to it. The driving idea behind the party establishment for the 2012 election is simply to make the election a referendum on Barack Obama. And up or down vote based on his record, which would in reality be an invitation to the broader public to take out its dissatisfaction on the President.

This is just dumb. First of all, its never a good idea to expect the people to repudiate a political figure that has in the past been strongly supported. Americans have a nasty habit of chosing to live with the conseqences of a mistake rather than admiting that we made it. Millions of us expressed support of Obama not just in the ballot box but in our social and business circles. This made our support personal and the tendency is to defend our decisions, to justify them and to deny our disapointment.

Further, there can be no doubt that many Americans just liked the idea of the nation electing a black president and will be extremely reluctant to give up on him for this reason alone.

But the most important and the only enduring reason to reject a negative referendum strategy is that the conservative movement accomplishes nothing simply by replacing Obama with a Republican. Absent a focus on the principals of conservative thinking and serious inroads in expanding the understanding and appreciation of those ideas, no real progress towards the goals of the movement can be realized.

I believe we can win the argument if we make it because I believe in the fundamental wisdom of conservative policy and I believe that the American people will embrace them if and when we can get past the negativity that just turns people off or puts them at each others throats.

Failing to make the argument is simply not smart. I can only conclude that the GOP political establishment is once again putting its immediate interests above that of principle.

It is not surprising that turnout in the primaries is down and that the party is divided. There can be no euthusism when there is no message. If just dumb to expect the flock to our banner when we are bearing only spears.

 

[Save_Ferris]

Didn't read; Independent

 

[warpus]

I'm Canadian so whatever I say can probably just be ignored, but I really think Obama's going to start pulling more unexpected tricks out of his hat the closer we get to the actual election. He's been playing it smart - staying out of everything for the most part.. and letting the dumbasses who want to take him down argue among themselves and drive voters away.

He knows that he's got the upper hand when it comes to public relations, public speaking, eloquence, and so on.. He doesn't have to worry about that part. He can focus on the issues and drive home a couple big wins. Then say a moving speech or two, kiss a baby, maybe throw in a prayer.. This couldn't be easier

 

[Rashiminos]

The flawed strat comes from a flawed source. 2 flaws not flawless.

 

[Takhisis]

The left is right, in the U.S.

 

[stormerne]

The OP seems just like a rant of personal opinion. Whether or not I sympathize, I'm not sure there's really a discussion point for a thread of its own. Perhaps asking a specific question would bring help some focus on what you'd like to discuss?

 

[useless]

What does this "Fundamental wisdom" even mean?

 

[Cutlass]

The American people only vote conservative to the extent that they do not understand conservatism. So it is to the benefit of conservative leaders to obscure what they want so thoroughly that even they themselves are not sure what it is. They must work to discredit their opponents rather than to win support through an honest debate on the issues. To do otherwise is to lose, and to lose badly. Only by distracting people from what conservatism really is can they gain the support of the voting public at large.

And it has been a successful strategy. It is most of what has kept them competitive, and it has moved the public debate as a whole far to the right. The only other factor of nearly as great of importance to the success of conservatism in American politics in recent decades has been that the Democrats have become their own worst enemies. The Democrats do far more damage to themselves and the liberal cause than Republicans could hope to do.

 

[bathsheba666]

As the GOPs principles are its immediate interests, I fail to see your distinction.