Posted on 12/17/2009 7:21:31 AM PST by markomalley
Here's what Democrats need to ponder: Can they prosper in the absence of George W. Bush?
His presidency was a tonic for Democrats and led to a blossoming of political creativity on the center-left not seen since the 1930s. No tactic, no program, no leader ever did more to catalyze the party than the rage Bush inspired.
The whole effort was summarized nicely by the party's slogan in 2006, "A New Direction for America." There was no need to specify north or south, east or west, up or down. Compared with Bush, any alternative destination seemed appealing. And by becoming the apotheosis of the fresh and the new, Barack Obama emerged as the most attractive guide to this unknown promised land.
(snip)
But politically, the Democrats are in trouble. They are at one another's throats over health-care legislation that should be seen as one of the party's greatest triumphs. They are being held hostage by political narcissists and narrow slivers of their coalition.
When Democrats make deals, they are accused of selling out. When they fail to make deals, they are accused of not reaching out. Moderates complain that their party has gone too far left. Progressives chortle bitterly at this, asking: What's left-wing about policies that shore up banks and protect drug companies?
Rural-state centrists insist on more fiscal discipline -- as long as it doesn't affect farmers and small-town hospitals. Progressives ask why debt should be the priority when so much more needs to be done to relieve unemployment.
This is a recipe for political catastrophe. An increasingly bitter and negative Republican Party may not be able to win the midterm elections, but Democrats definitely can lose them.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“No tactic, no program, no leader ever did more to catalyze the party than the rage Bush inspired. “
W and pubbies did well for 6 years before the Dems wore them down with their propaganda. It took just one year of left wing crapola to turn America against the Dems.
W is looking good in the rear view mirror.
FU EJ Dionne. YOU were one of the major perpetrators of the Blame Bush nonsense.
Instead of doing Investigative Journalism on Obama, you gave him a pass and slammed Bush at every opportunity.
It’s as much your fault, Washington Post, as the Democrats.
Yikes.
You’ve been hanging out with the DUmmies too long. Same whiny platitudes.
Yes, they hated the Dems for real things -- unlike Bush's unpopularity, which in large part was ginned up the constant drumbeat of the media (e.g., the president was golfing today, though unemployment stands at 5.4%, etc., etc., etc.). Rush has commented that the media convinced large swathes of the country that things were bad when they were really good and he wondered if they could succeed at convincing them that things are good when they're really bad -- looks like they can't!
“compassionate conservatism” =socialism lite. (think Huckaphoney)
...real conservatism doesn’t need a silly , made-up , modifier .
“...real conservatism doesn’t need a silly , made-up , modifier .”
How true.
Guilty, I never read past the first line I reposted..
was the article annoying?
Sicko ??? That's Moore's single payer movie. is there a hidden message here?
Realistic ??? We are totally screwed. Our best bet is gridlock, and gold.
Optimistic ??? How about all those Republicans told by talk radio that Republican Party would win 2006? ...and then told the same thing again in 2008 and believed it again? Now talk about optimism.
What concerns me is the ‘pro-republican’ attitude here vs a anti-Washington attitude we need. Both parties are full of crap. At this point we need opposition and gridlock till Republicans and even conservatives figure out what they are 'for' and really 'against'(beyond just democrats) .
This is exactly what I keep saying. Every 20 or so years America loses it’s mind and elects a liberal government, last time was the first 2 Clinton years and before that Carter. The Dems each and every time remind America why they can’t be trusted in leadership positions.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
You are my buddy, you havent complained about me pinging you, or cursed me out for any of my opinions :)
...but they will anyway.
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