Posted on 04/23/2008 7:34:16 AM PDT by moderatewolverine
As the Democratic race continues, here are four things conservatives should keep in mind.
First: Todays Democratic party is well to the Left of where it was in 2000: on health care, on taxes, on trade, on foreign policy. On social issues it has moved right only cosmetically. A very few conservatives have flirted with endorsing the Democrats this year, out of their frustration with President Bush or Senator McCain. Their cases are fanciful.
Second: Even though he just lost Pennsylvania decisively, Senator Obama is still likely to win the Democratic nomination. Hillary Clintons supporters will argue that she is a stronger candidate, more capable than he is of reaching the downscale whites, union members, Catholics, and Hispanics the party will need to win in November. It is a plausible argument. But there are sufficiently plausible arguments on the other side that super-delegates are unlikely to be swayed in large numbers to support her over Obama especially since Obama has a popular-vote lead and the support of both black voters and the media.
Third: Obama has real weaknesses, which, as liberal writer John Judis put it after the Pennsylvania vote, grow more apparent with each successive primary. Senator McCain can turn those weaknesses to his advantage if he devises a conservative program that can help lower middle class voters pursue their aspirations. We like both McCains corporate tax cut and his health-care plan, but it would be wise if he spoke more about the latter and less about the former than he has been doing.
Fourth: Even with those weaknesses and a smart Republican campaign, the Democrats have to be favored to win the presidential race. The Democratic candidates have been tearing each other down, but McCain has lost a little ground against Obama in the polls and is now slightly behind him. McCain has his work cut out for him, and so do conservatives.
“Fourth: Even with those weaknesses and a smart Republican campaign, the Democrats have to be favored to win the presidential race.”
LOL!! I’m calling 40 states R.
“McCain has lost a little ground against Obama in the polls and is now slightly behind him”
When did that happen?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
These polls mean nothing one way or the other.
Even if McCain wins in November, he, like George H.W. Bush will face a Democrat dominated Congress. Only this time, the Sam Nunns are nowhere to be found.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Perhaps, but I just heard one the other day showing McCain beating Obama handily. I’ve not heard one yet that was otherwise. Where does the writer of this piece get his info?
This is probably true. I think a lot of people actually make up their minds during the debates... who is the most likable, who avoided gotchas, etc, etc.
Still I agree with the the National Review that we need to be careful listening to our own "echo-chamber" otherwise we'll still be sitting here waiting for that "groundswell" of Fred Thompson support to roll in leading the cavalry charge of "true" conservatives. (sound of crickets chirping).
BUT HE CAN STILL WIN.
Remember, the American Electorate is a weird thing. Not to bright, not too dumb, but EASILY gullible enough to fall for Obama. Obama will get a turnout from various groups that will be historically high. McCain will be lucky to get votes. Obama will be coddled by the media, he will have MUCH more money to spend. Remember, most elections, even landslides, still hinge on that mushy 20%. Well THOSE people are political, historical, and economic MORONS.
Obama can EASILY win the Presidency, despite what we here on FR know about him. Ultimately it wont be us here who make the difference, it will be the idiots watching the "news" and seeing all those commercials they will run..
So just stay home an guarantee a Rat victory in the fall.
REAL SMART.
FIVE: OUR BIGGEST ENEMY IS COMPLACENCY. WE ONLY WIN IF WE WORK AT IT AND VIGOROUSLY EXPOSE BARACK OBAMA AS THE EXTREMIST LIBERAL HE IS.
Obama has a media and hundreds of millions of dollars in his corner to bamboozle the voters. He won’t be defeated if we sit back.
RealClearPolitics shows all the polls. The poll average has Obama ahead by 1 point over McCain.
“Obama can EASILY win the Presidency, despite what we here on FR know about him. Ultimately it wont be us here who make the difference, it will be the idiots watching the “news” and seeing all those commercials they will run.. “
Correct.
The way to defeat Obama is for all of us who are here on FR to share what we know about Obama with all of those who are NOT here on FR.
“Obama has a media and hundreds of millions of dollars in his corner to bamboozle the voters. He wont be defeated if we sit back.”
Maybe not but that in no way gives Dems the favored position for a win in November. It’s the Republicans’ race to lose. And they could, in theory, lose it by trying to cruise through. I don’t see that happening, though. I seriously believe we will see some normally blue states go red this cycle.
“I’d support and vote for McCain if he ran like a Reagan conservative. “
Then vote for him already! He is running on many Reagan-esque planks:
1. Tax cuts
2. Spending restraint
3. Strong military & winning the fight against our enemies
4. Nominate judges who are not activists
5. Pro-life
If that’s not good enough for you, you’ll be perpetually disappointed in the President. He has to please 100 million voters, not just you and me.
I tell everyone I meet about Larry Sinclair's YouTube video.
Conservatives are kidding themselves if they think they have a dog in this fight.
Scratch the word "conservatives" and replace it with "REPUBLICANS."
Well, that’s too bad, since he’s a mentally deranged man who probably convinces nobody (certainly not me) to change their minds about Obama. His claims are a fairy tale (pun intended). Rezko otoh is real. So is the fact that Obama is rated most liberal Senator in the Senate. Maybe pointing out Obama’s opposition to the “born alive infant protection act” is more useful?
“Conservatives are kidding themselves if they think they have a dog in this fight.”
We do... McCain offers this:
1. Tax cuts
2. Spending restraint
3. Strong military & winning the fight against our enemies
4. Nominate judges who are not activists
5. Pro-life
Obama is the most liberal senator in the senate, and offers to move America massively to the left.
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