dagblog - Comments for "Campaigning to win in 2012."

Wrap. And notes to myself.

Oxy Mora — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:37:40 +0000

In reply to Campaigning to win in 2012.

Wrap. And notes to myself.

When I initially listed my 5 positions, I had not specifically thought of Republican responses. After I finished the whole exercise, I realized maybe for the first time how much the Republican arguments against common sense government boils down to lopsided support for businesses and corporations.

In a sense the five positions are core Democratic principles. When those positions are put forth strongly. the Republican response resolves to a defense of businesses. We need to overturn the perception that businesses are the victims of taxation and posit that the burden to provide the public services and the education of workers which are vital to business is falling unfairly on the community itself. In other words, no community, no roads, no educated workers, no profit.

"When you have no profit, you have no taxes. Is that what you want?"

Trope's comment about gov't trust prompted me to take a longer look at the Pew Research. There is a fascinating set of charts comparing "Trust in Gov't" to other charts, such as Consumer sentiment, Unemployment and such. In 2010, the "trust" issue developed a hard inner core of anger. When people don't trust government they apparently want it downsized and reforms, the only tangible things which address the distrust. It seems clear that a large segment of the middle is not going to accept lip service from Obama in 2012 along the line of downsizing and reforming government.

Trope, I missed this before.

Oxy Mora — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:06:33 +0000

In reply to The auto industry bail out is

Trope, I missed this before. That's a very significant thing you just brought up about the CEO's supporting early education. That would have legs as part of a general debate. Really good issue.

On Education, I don't frankly know what the Dept. of Education does with the money. But I have enough of the Libertarian in me to suspect that it's a hell of a bureaucracy. Why not reform it, downsize it.

Thanks for playing the Republican foil.

Because he is running for the

Elusive Trope — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:19:58 +0000

In reply to I don't know about you but I

Because he is running for the nomination in the other party I think balances out the breaking of the social code. In one sense, one can see Huntsman running is a favor to Obama because he shows, through juxtaposition, just how whack the other candidates are. At this point I wouldn't be surprised after he drops out of the race for the 2012 nomination that he switches party and becomes a Democrat. or an Independent like Chafee. Now there is a ticket - Huntsman/Chafee 2016. Jon and Lincoln.

From a 50 state perspective,

Elusive Trope — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:12:48 +0000

In reply to I know nothing about

From a 50 state perspective, the whole separation of church and state is something the Dems should just stay away from. If the topic is raised, simply state our religious/spiritual beliefs inform our values and decisions, and leave it at that. Nothing will undermine a Dem quicker outside the bluest blue areas than to be seen as attacking religion. All one has to do is see how long Purpose Driven Life stayed a best seller and how many study groups were formed around it.

(let's also remember that Obama invited Rick Warren to be a part of his inauguration.)

I don't know about you but I

Oxy Mora — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:11:31 +0000

In reply to Huntsman 2016. Yes. He

I don't know about you but I just think it's breaking a social code to bite the hand that feeds you. I mean can't most people see that Obama made him presidential material by giving him the Ambassadorship. And to turn against your benefactor is not very admirable in anyone's book. If he were to be the candidate, I think this "turn coat" effect would really work against him. But not a problem in 2016.

I know nothing about

Oxy Mora — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:04:22 +0000

In reply to Liberals do need to take the

I know nothing about advertising other than what I learned from Don Draper. But it seems to me that the intrusive gov't idea, separation of church and state, etc., is best handled by targeted advertising. When I started these constructs I wanted to put in Separation of Church and State, but it just didn't fit.

Huntsman 2016. Yes. He

Elusive Trope — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:42:03 +0000

In reply to I did notice Huntsman and it

Huntsman 2016. Yes. He could become the McCain of the 21st Century. I mean the guy is tweeting about Captain Beefheart. I have to say that I would be okay with him being president, wouldn't be thrilled, but I could live with it.

Liberals do need to take the

Elusive Trope — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:38:42 +0000

In reply to Right. Genghis was right the

Liberals do need to take the long view approach that those conservatives did many moons ago, and the difference between big government versus intrusive government is one the areas that need to be focused on. We can't expect to effectively parse this in one election cycle, but over the long run we can get the general public, to use that term, to embrace big government. It takes a village. And all that.

I did notice Huntsman and it

Oxy Mora — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:10:49 +0000

In reply to However, have you noticed

I did notice Huntsman and it was refreshing. I was thinking Huntsman might be setting himself up for 2016. Let's say, after Perry has lost the election for them in 2012 by being too extreme. I don't think Huntsman can rise to the top this year.

Too bad for Republicans that they don't have a Southern populist who is not also a tea bagger.

Right. Genghis was right the

Oxy Mora — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:03:54 +0000

In reply to My district (Indiana 2) is

Right. Genghis was right the other day, there is no daylight whatsoever between Staunch and Main St. Republicans. Religious wedge can't work. Although I wonder if Democrats have done enough in parsing big government vs. intrusive government.