Posted on 01/02/2007 3:11:25 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Is there something cyclical, but nevertheless extraordinary, happening in American politics these days? Are we moving from a period of partisan confrontation and division, to one that values consensus and seeks more unity among our public figures?
Otherwise, how can we account for the unusual persistence with which moderates like Rudy Guiliani and Senator John McCain are holding their large leads in the Republican primary electorate? Or, the surprising surge of perceived-moderate Senator Barack Obama into second place in the Democratic field?
The conservative right is trailing ignominiously in the polls for the Republican nomination, while Hillary is tied with the combined vote share of Obama and Edwards in the Democratic field. Never mind that the Republican voters don't realize how liberal McCain and Guiliani really are, or how left-wing Obama's voting record -- all two years of it -- indicates he might be. The fact is, that moderates in both parties seem to doing very well.
In 2005 and early 2006, it seemed that the partisan divisions would continue and exacerbate. The right was energized by the debates over gay marriage and illegal immigration, and the left licked its chops after beating Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman in the Democratic primary. But Lieberman ended up winning, anti-immigration zealots like J.D. Hayworth lost, and moderate Democrats won most of the House seats that switched parties in 2006. The center showed new energy.
American politics, of course, alternates between periods of division and consensus. Because our democracy works, we explore new political issues and challenges through polarizing debate (such as would never happen in Japan, for example). After the debate has raged for a while, we come to a national consensus embracing the best of each side and move on (unlike Italy or France).
(Excerpt) Read more at vote.com ...
"In the beginning there was right and wrong and we've been compromising in the wrong direction ever since."
ABSOLUTELY!
Greetings JB:
Excellent American Idle analogy! But the American Idle comparison works only when choosing between democRats and RINOs.
The GOP is most successful with the one-on-one “grass roots” voter outreach method. It is far more influential with an undecided voter than the democRat-RINO biased mass media system. This has a cost, and my time is very valuable.
Senator Mike DeWine betrayed me, and many others, by joining Senator John McCain’s Beltway “gang.” So Senator DeWine's Ohio re-election campaign "died on the vine" for lack of volunteers. There was no neighborhood canvas work from me in the Ohio heartland. Yeah, we still voted for DeWine over Brown, but DeWine canvas workers were non-existent in the last campaign.
And Senator John McCain can count upon a similar response from me if he has further Presidential ambitions. Although in 2000, I canvassed Michigan neighborhoods, and made substantial campaign donations for McCain’s primary challenge.
That was until McCain talked us out of supporting him.
This elephant never forgets…
OLA
"In the beginning there was right and wrong and we've been compromising in the wrong direction ever since."
No. In the beginning there was might makes right and cons like me have been fighting that idea ever since. Small govt conservative here.
"In the beginning there was right and wrong and we've been compromising in the wrong direction ever since."
My assertion stands!
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