Okay....in your own words, then, not the dictionary...
Posted By: Observer on 2007-10-10
In Reply to: Thanks for the definition! - liberal democrat
liberal to the core...why? What are your values, your ideas? Yours? You say those old men with old ideas, so out of touch. What are your ideas? What makes you so happy you are a liberal Democrat, and why is Obama not one? Thanks!
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Don't you own a dictionary? nm
?
Dictionary of Republicanisms
Dictionary of Republicanisms
by KATRINA VANDEN HEUVEL
[from the December 12, 2005 issue]
Over the past few decades, the radical right has engaged in a
well-funded, self-conscious program of Orwellian doublespeak, transforming the
American political discourse to suit its ends. Think tanks like the Cato
Institute routinely market phrases for their political resonance, like
personal vs. private accounts. Frank Luntz, the Republican
pollster, lexicographer and MSNBC pundit who combines Madison Avenue techniques
with K Street connections, sends out regular missives informing
Republican operatives and politicians on how to spin conservative policy
proposals. (He was on The Daily Show demonstrating his talents, defining
manipulation as explanation and education.) Paul Wolfowitz admitted to
Vanity Fair that weapons of mass destruction was agreed upon as the
reason to go to war with Iraq because it was the most salable rationale.
And we all know how that turned out.
Before we can win the great battle of ideas, we must debunk the right's
political discourse, a veritable code of encrypted language that twists
common usage to deceive the public for the Republicans' purposes. The
key to their linguistic strategy is to use words that sound moderate to
us but mean something completely different to them. Their tactics range
from the childish use of antonyms (clean = dirty) to the
pseudo-academic use of prefixes (neo is a favorite) to the pernicious and very
expensive rebranding of traditional labels (liberal as an insult).
We decided we needed to break the code by building a Republican
dictionary. Skewer their deceptions with the fine-tipped sword of satire. Lies
melt away in the face of mockery.
Unlike Republicans, who rely on rich old cranks and
intellectuals-for-hire to do their dirty work, we opened up the process to the people. For
six months, thenation.com accepted suggestions from everyone who wanted
to participate. The result was an overwhelming grassroots groundswell
of hilarious submissions from citizens who are mad as hell and aren't
going to take it anymore. Thousands of definitions were entered from all
over the country, forty-four states in all, along with Puerto Rico and
Washington, DC. (We even received a few from outraged Canadians,
Australians and Brits.)
As momentum for the project grew, friends and allies joined the effort.
TomDispatch.com asked its readers and writers to submit their own
definitions. Reviewing the submissions from our website, we found that
certain trends became apparent. Compassionate conservative and ownership
society were the most popular targets. No Child Left Behind was the
most common riff. The disaster in Iraq was the subject of the most
outrage. The results have been compiled in a new book, Dictionary of
Republicanisms (Nation Books). Here are some of my favorites. I hope they
inspire you to action, to take back this great nation from those who are
doing it such harm.
abstinence-only sex education n. Ignorance-only sex education [Wayne
Martorelli, Lawrenceville, NJ].
alternative energy sources n. New locations to drill for gas and oil
[Peter Scholz, Fort Collins, Colo.].
bankruptcy n. A punishable crime when committed by poor people but not
corporations [Beth Thielen, Studio City, Calif.].
burning bush n. A biblical allusion to the response of the President
of the United States when asked a question by a journalist who has not
been paid to inquire [Bill Moyers, New York, NY].
Cheney, Dick n. The greater of two evils [Jacob McCullar, Austin,
Tex.].
China n. See Wal-Mart [Rebecca Solnit, San Francisco, Calif.].
class warfare n. Any attempt to raise the minimum wage [Don Zweir,
Grayslake, Ill.].
climate change n. The blessed day when the blue states are swallowed by
the oceans [Ann Klopp, Princeton, NJ].
compassionate conservatism n. Poignant concern for the very wealthy
[Lawrence Sandek, Twin Peaks, Calif.].
creationism n. Pseudoscience that claims George W. Bush's resemblance
to a chimpanzee is totally coincidental [Brian Sweeney, Providence, RI].
DeLay, Tom n. 1. Past tense of De Lie [Rick Rodstrom, Los Angeles,
Calif.]. 2. Patronage saint [Andrew Magni, Nonatum, Mass.].
democracy n. A product so extensively exported that the domestic supply
is depleted [Michael Schwartz, unknown].
dittohead n. An Oxy(contin)moron [Zydeco Boudreaux, Gretna, La.].
energy independence n. The caribou witness relocation program [Justin
Rezzonico, Keene, Ohio].
extraordinary rendition n. Outsourcing torture [Milton Feldon, Laguna
Woods, Calif.].
faith n. The stubborn belief that God approves of Republican moral
values despite the preponderance of textual evidence to the contrary
[Matthew Polly, Topeka, Kans.].
Fox News fict. Faux news [Justin Rezzonico, Keene, Ohio].
free markets n. Halliburton no-bid contracts at taxpayer expense [Sean
O'Brian, Chicago, Ill.].
girly men n. Males who do not grope women inappropriately [Nick Gill,
Newton, Mass.].
God n. Senior presidential adviser [Martin Richard, Belgrade, Mont.].
growth n. 1. The justification for tax cuts for the rich. 2. What
happens to the national debt when Republicans cut taxes on the rich [Matthew
Polly, Topeka, Kans.].
habeas corpus n. Archaic. (Lat.) Legal term no longer in use (See
Patriot Act) [Josh Wanstreet, Nutter Fort, WV].
healthy forest n. No tree left behind [Dan McWilliams, Santa Barbara,
Calif.].
homelandism n. A neologism for love of the Homeland Security State, as
in My Homeland, 'tis of thee, sweet security state of liberty... [Tom
Engelhardt, New York, NY].
honesty n. Lies told in simple declarative sentences--e.g., Freedom is
on the march [Katrina vanden Heuvel, New York, NY].
House of Representatives n. Exclusive club; entry fee $1 million to $5
million (See Senate) [Adam Hochschild, San Francisco, Calif.].
laziness n. When the poor are not working [Justin Rezzonico, Keene,
Ohio].
leisure time n. When the wealthy are not working [Justin Rezzonico,
Keene, Ohio].
liberal(s) n. Followers of the Antichrist [Ann Wegher, Montello,
Wisc.].
Miller, Zell n. The man who shot and killed Alexander Hamilton after a
particularly tough interview on Hardball [Drew Dillion, Arlington,
Va.].
neoconservatives n. Nerds with Napoleonic complexes [Matthew Polly,
Topeka, Kans.].
9/11 n. Tragedy used to justify any administrative policy, especially
if unrelated (See Deficit, Iraq War) [Dan Mason, Durham, NH].
No Child Left Behind riff. 1. v. There are always jobs in the military
[Ann Klopp, Princeton, NJ]. 2. n. The rapture [Samantha Hess,
Cottonwood, Ariz.].
ownership society n. A civilization where 1 percent of the population
controls 90 percent of the wealth [Michael Albert, Piscataway, NJ].
Patriot Act n. 1. The pre-emptive strike on American freedoms to
prevent the terrorists from destroying them first. 2. The elimination of one
of the reasons why they hate us [Michael Thomas, Socorro, NM].
pro-life adj. Valuing human life up until birth [Kevin Weaver, San
Francisco, Calif.].
Senate n. Exclusive club; entry fee $10 million to $30 million [Adam
Hochschild, San Francisco, Calif.].
simplify v. To cut the taxes of Republican donors [Katrina vanden
Heuvel, New York, NY].
staying the course interj. Slang. Saying and doing the same stupid
thing over and over, regardless of the result [Suzanne Smith, Ann Arbor,
Mich.].
stuff happens interj. Slang. Donald Rumsfeld as master historian
[Sheila and Chalmers Johnson, San Diego, Calif.].
voter fraud n. A significant minority turnout [Sue Bazy, Philadelphia,
Pa.].
Wal-Mart n. The nation-state, future tense [Rebecca Solnit, San
Francisco, Calif.].
water n. Arsenic storage device [Joy Losee, Gainesville, Ga.].
woman n. 1. Person who can be trusted to bear a child but can't be
trusted to decide whether or not she wishes to have thechild. 2. Person who
must have all decisions regarding herreproductive functions made by men
with whom she wouldn't want to have sex in the first place [Denise
Clay, Philadelphia, Pa.].
Don't know what dictionary you're using.
From Merriam Webster on line http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=persecution
Main Entry: per·se·cu·tion 
Pronunciation: p&r-si-'kyü-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook
2 : the condition of being persecuted , harassed, or annoyed
As LVMT pointed out, they have been provoked, as well.
I repeat. Iraq and Iran were enemies. Due to Bush's ridiculous war, the area is now split open and on the verge of civil war with influence from Iran that never existed before because Saddam Hussein kept his vacuum very secure.
I won't address the remainder of your post because it is inflammatory, rude and defamatory, and I don't communicate with people who can't stick to the issues without resorting to personal insults against other posters. Such remarks have no value among intelligent mature adults attempting to engage in a meaningful dialogue.
Thanks, but I did not want a dictionary definition....
I wanted a *liberal* to define what that means to them...what are their views...what is the *platform* so to speak...what makes a *liberal* different from a *leftist?* Why is Obama not a liberal? That is the information I am seeking...not a dictionary definition. In a liberal's own words, so to speak.
Did you know gullible's not in the dictionary?
x
If you look in the dictionary under hypocrit
It will say "early 21st century Republican Party." How else can you call yourself pro-choice and be pro-war at the same time, all the while back a President who took us into a country that had done nothing to us, kill a lot of innocent people while looking for something that the Bush knew wasn't there in the first place. Who else would say they backed "less government" while trying to legislate the heck out of our personal choices, if the choices were different from theirs. Who else would complain about too much spending and all the while support a President who took a surplus and turned it into a hugh deficit, mostly supporting a war that was a lie, and did not bother providing our soldiers forced to fight in this war the proper protection, and even cut funds to make sure that they could not get health resources when they went home! Shall I go on? Because there is a lot more??
Look, you righties are entitled to your opinion, misguided as it is, and Kathy and I are entitled to ours. Time to find something else to talk about because this is going no where.
In your dictionary - as limited as it has proven to be
x
This is from OneLook Dictionary search. sm
partial-birth abortion
n.
A late-term abortion, especially one in which a viable fetus is partially delivered through the cervix before being extracted. Not in technical use.
The following is my OPINION on the whole issue:
PRACTITIONERS OF THIS BARBERIC PRACTICE SHOULD BE TRIED AS MURDERERS by the state in which they live.
Nice dictionary definition....
Obama practices the Marxist version.
"Marx believed that the problem with the socialism of his day was that it did not deal with economic issues. He proposed that his new (communist) economic system, which called for redistribution of wealth, was more equitable."
Read up on that, and on black liberation theology and "economic parity." Then come back and let's talk about Obama socialism.
Yes, Palin is NOT socialist because she said ALL Alaskans should share in revenues derived from the state's vast national resources. Not taxing wealthy Alaskans to subsidize lower income Alaskans.
Clearer now?
Thanks for your helpful dictionary comment.
That's the problem with discussing things like religion, sexuality, and politics - someone always has to make some kind of smart-a$$ comment and then...
Discussion over.
And you need to read your dictionary for correct spelling......
NM
Consulting Webster's Dictionary online........... sm
resulted in the following. I don't seem to see the word "cult" there.
Christianity
Noun
1. The system of Christian beliefs and practices.
2. A group of Christians; any group professing Christian doctrine or belief; "the church is debating the issue of women priests".
3. The collective body of Christians throughout the world and history; "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom".
Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Date "Christianity" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1050.
Consulted yet another web site for Merriam-Webster and found the following....still no "cult" appearing in the definition.
Main Entry: Chris·tian·i·ty
Pronunciation: ˌkris-chç-ˈa-nə-tç, ˌkrish-, -ˈcha-nə-, ˌkris-tç-ˈa-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies
2 : conformity to the Christian religion
3 : the practice of Christianity
How about Dictionary.com? Nope, not there either.
christianity - 5 dictionary results
Sponsored Links Find The Perfect Religion
Which religion is right for you? Find out with the religion test.
DumbSpot.com/religion-test
Modern Ekklesia Blog
Exploring the intersection of church, leadership, and technology.
www.modernekklesia.com
Chris⋅ti⋅an⋅i⋅ty /ˌkrɪstʃiˈ¿nɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kris-chee-an-i-tee] Show IPA
–noun, plural -ties. 1. the Christian religion, including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches.
2. Christian beliefs or practices; Christian quality or character: Christianity mixed with pagan elements; the Christianity of Augustine's thought.
3. a particular Christian religious system: She followed fundamentalist Christianity.
4. the state of being a Christian.
5. Christendom.
6. conformity to the Christian religion or to its beliefs or practices.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin:
1250–1300; ME cristianite < L chrîstiânitât- (s. of chrîstiânitâs), equiv. to chrîstiân- Christian + -itât- -ity; r. ME cristiente < MF < L, as above
Maybe the American Heritage dictionary? Sorry...not there.
Chris·ti·an·i·ty (krĭs'chç-ân'ĭ-tç, krĭs'tç-) Pronunciation Key
n.
The Christian religion, founded on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Christians as a group; Christendom.
The state or fact of being a Christian.
pl. Chris·ti·an·i·ties A particular form or sect of the Christian religion: the Christianities of antiquity.
Maybe WordNet by Princeton University? Nope....
christianity
noun
1. a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
2. the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom" [syn: Christendom]
Gee....I can't seem to find Christianity defined as a cult in any mainstream online dictionaries. Which one are you using?
Those types of words are unnecessary and actually ARE racist words. sm
Those types of phrases are offensive and are intended to be offensive. This election should not be about race. If it is about race for you, then you are probably one of the ignorant people using those words. Very rude!!
You're right....words are just words...so are Obama's...
...and don't/won't mean anything to many people, myself included.
He is no MLK.
It is a historic moment, of that I have no doubt. And yes, he has come far.
However, one still needs to have strength of character to back the words up for true meaning, and he is sadly lacking in that area.
Nothing but words hon, and we know how Obama's words
nm
Just a few words
For you to even think something like that shows you have it in your brain. I would never post some of the derogatory posts you and your friends from the conservative board have posted to me and to others. Does it bother you that much that I post strong opinions and refuse to be cowed by nasty responses? I have thick skin and I can roll with the punches. Seems to me every time I post you and your friends just have to respond, no matter what I post. By you responding so forcefully shows you are threatened by my ideology and the bigger picture, the liberal/democratic ideology. Be happy with your beliefs and espouse them but stop attacking people for their beliefs..In other words, chill out..you will do your heart a favor. This is a free country, my opinions are mine and I will continue to have them. Nothing you say will change my beliefs..so dont waste your time trying..I also must say, if you want to talk about people sounding like lunatics, re-read some of the conservative posts. A few profess to never attack or call names, yeah right, there is so much back biting and name calling on that board..but hey, its fair game when you are dealing with politics. they are all just words, nothing more. My bigger quest is to help turn this country around to the country I knew and loved through grass roots politics, belonging to the local democratic party and making sure the right ones get in mid year elections and in three years. This is just a politics board, LOL, nothing that gets my blood pressure elevated, that is for sure..The majority of Americans feel we are headed down the wrong track and our priorities are wrong. The latest poll shows the people losing faith and trust in Bush and his credibility is going down. The majority think Iraq was a mistake and worry that attacking Iraq made us less secure and more prone to attacks. Seems to me my opinions and those of most that post on the liberal board (save for the few conservatives who post here to attack and disrupt) are in the mainstream of American thought, fears and concerns. Now, I would hope the attacks will stop, as I will not respond to them anymore. If you want to debate, post the debate and Im sure many will join in but no one wants to be part of a board where crazy accusations such as you and yours have been posting about me keep getting posted.
Yes, among other words. NM
These were your words.
Still on this board!!! Tell me how what you said below is the same as:
As far as Iraq, of course, you twisted that all out of context. Lurker asked if I would go to Iraq to help rebuild and I said yes, if I could I would, but please don't tell the truth and continue to twist because you are twisted.
Yes, I will join. I was there once, I will go again. No problem at all. NM
[Post a Reply] [View Follow Ups] [Politics] --> [Liberals]
Posted By: MT on 2005-08-24,
In Reply to: Ridiculous...I think not - Lurker
There are no words, only
thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry.
HER words (yet again):
Yes, I will join. I was there once, I will go again. No problem at all.
Not *would* join.... WILL JOIN. WILL GO AGAIN. WILL, WILL, WILL, WILL, WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those who believe in telling the truth can easily see the distortion.
The key words are
*announced* and *Bin Laden.*
Clinton announced to AMERICANS that he was specifically targeting Bin Laden. Remember him? HE was the guy responsible for 9/11, and HE is the guy that Bush ignored to instead invade Iraq.
Clinton wasn't targeting average Americans who are trying to pay off their J. C. Penney bills, and Clinton never used intimidating tactics towards American citizens.
Bush doesn't know how to do anything BUT use secrets, intimidation and fear tactics.
Words
Please don't put words in my mouth. I never said I would choose to have an abortion, or choose to end life (which to me, are still 2 different things). I said that I believe in choice.
I have two words for you. SM
Walid Shoebat. I am willing to bet he knows way more than your professor about the Middle East and he doesn't agree with either one of you.
Wow! In her own words no less. I do not want any
.
Two words
There is a word spelled choose and a word spelled chose. They certainly are confused a lot these days.
Choose is present tense and chose is past tense. They are pronounced differently.
I'm not picking on the poster; just making a general observation about a term many people misuse.
what a way with words . . .
guffaw.
WOW, you use BIG words, just like O!
I am so happy for you!
In their own words
Shocking Video Unearthed Democrats in their own words Covering up the Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Scam that caused our Economic Crisis
I'd love to know why I should have to bail out anyone. If my husband and I overextended ourselves and spent like drunken sailors we'd have nobody to blame but ourselves. So in that same concept we should turn to someone and essentially hand the bill for it over to him/her?
Also, as a Texan, we'll now be on the hook for billions (per the radio) from Ike. My husband and I don't HAVE a billion here, a billion there. They throw around million, billion, and trillion like it's petty cash!
In your own words. sm
The middle class disappears...money at the very top, and that's it. The middle class and the lower class become the same. Can you not see that is what has happened already in America?
your words
"and this notion that the democrats ruined everything since they took over - excuse me, we are not supposed to have 1 party in total power, remember that one? when you get all sides represented and respected, you have more freedom." Those are your words. What do you think we will have if Obama wins?? A democrat for president and a democratic congress. That would be one party in power, and that is not a pretty picture at all.
In other words........... sm
everything except his experience.
He was not addressing all the issues you listed in the video. Did you even WATCH it?
Yes, he might have known the words, but
But, you are supposed to repeat the oath given to you,word for word, and this would have been the "wrong" oath, so the justice had to correct himself, so the right oath was administered.
Do the words......(sm)
great depression and new deal ring a bell? I guess Econ 101 was too much for ya, so let's go back to high school American history. 
In other words....(sm)
there are no facts to support your claim. You guys just spout out anything...LOL.
In other words....(sm)
They don't want to admit that they get their info from Fox. They seem to be very anxious to spread all the crap that Fox comes up with, but when they are confronted to show facts they seem to be embarrassed about their source (assuming there is one)......Hmmmm...
So in other words
UAW = good. Insurance companies = bad?
The key words here are.............. sm
OPPORTUNITY versus REQUIREMENT.
I will use you as an example since you have said that you and your husband were married before a JP.
You have, in your scenario, met the qualifications of being able to have the benefits of marriage in terms of taxes, etc. You have the OPPORTUNITY to be married in a religious ceremoy if you so choose (which will be highly unlikely given that you and your husband are both atheists).
Conversely, my husband and I who were married in a religious ceremony would be REQUIRED to obtain a union in order to have the same benefits that you and your husband hold.
Thank you for the kind words.
I agree with everything you said.
I think that lumping people together and making gross inaccurate generalizations does nothing but prevent any intelligent discourse from occurring, and that's very sad because these issues are very serious. Our very ability to keep BREATHING may be in jeopardy, particularly if we don't start concentrating on our own safety. Bush has made Iraq much less safe place to be, and he hasn't done much to make the United States a safe place to be. If we truly NEED our military someday to protect US in a homeland attack, where will they all be?
What also worries me is that our enemies might consider this a bilateral "religious" war. They already believe it is, yelling and effecting "Jihad." But the current focus on one particular brand of Christianity in this country -- not religion in general, but one particular BRAND of Christianity -- makes me wonder if Bush himself doesn't think this is a religious war. The fact that he might think so is what scares me the most, as history tell us they are the most deadly, bloody wars of all. I personally don't want the U.S. to be known as a "Christian" nation. One of the things I love the most about this country is the freedom that we're SUPPOSED to have to worship freely, and I will personally oppose anyone who tries to take that away from us.
It's sad that tolerance and respect aren't in more people's hearts and souls.
So in other words, God offends you.
/
They were just using one of your favorite words
or do you own the copyright of the word liar?
Your exact words....
(quote)Believe me, If Scarborough is upset with Bush, there's a reason. He's always supported Bush.(unquote)
Actions vs words.
Bush cannot recommend a constitutional amendment defining marriage as taking place between a man and a woman without a healthy respect for the Constitution itself. One does not merely walk into Iraq on the basis of a **** piece of paper. This story is a year and a half old. The publication who broke this story is about as far left as one can get. If the reputable publications from both sides of the fence felt it was a real story, they would have certainly run with it. They didn't. That' s my take on it after examining it.
Yes, they are very fine words..
written by some very fine minds. Ghandi says much the same. I think I'll stick with the great minds. Cat bites and scratches dangerous ?...sometimes...people who mistreat animals or wish them harm dangerous ?...always.
Those are really fine words.
However, if the cat is harming human life, and everyone knows how toxic a cat scratch or bite can be, and the owner refuses to maintain her animal, what is the solution? Maybe a new home.
Words of this century...sm
Stay the course.
It's hard work.
Liberate the Iraqis.
I'm a patriot (and you're not).
Did I mention *it's hard work, staying the course to liberate the Iraqis because I'm a patriot (and you're not).*
Any ring to those words? Boy, if Peewee were still in the playhouse now.
Anywho, the point is and you said it yourself, Fox is a conservative leaning network. And the liberal guests can debate, you may feel they can't because they are double teamed by the anchor/pundit and the conservative guests.
You know my game? You don't even know your own words.
I responded directly to your post and quoted your own name calling words, but you don't know what I'm talking about?!
The words out of context...sm
Were the words he spoke himself on NBC Nightly News. His words were not altered. They were followed by an opinion with which he does not agree, but that does not make the documentary a LIE.
The words out of context
When you twist someone's words and give an opinion following that cannot be contested by the speaker, fully intending that your opinion be attributed to the speaker as truth...that, my friend, is a lie. And it is not the only lie in that mocumentary. Michael Moore never has had taste (Bowling for Columbine) and he never will. The fact that people buy into his anger and hatred and gloss it over as a documentary still boggles the mind.
I used those words to describe...
supporting the effort in Afghanistan but not supporting the effort in Iraq. Perhaps I should have said abandoned rather than thrown to the dogs. Means the same to me. As to Sheehan, this is the Sheehan family statement:
In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family Statement:
The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect.
Interesting words from the OTB
Here are a few paragraphs from a write-up on Outside the Beltway in regards to yesterday's caucus by Joyner.
So, it’s Morning in America. But, as his co-blogger Andrew Sullivan noted just minutes earlier, it’s a dark day for the Republican Party.
Tonight was in many ways devastating news for the GOP. Twice as many people turned out for the Democrats than the Republicans. Clearly independents prefer the Dems.
Now look at how the caucus-goers defined themselves in the entrance polls. Among the Dems: Very Liberal: 18 percent; Somewhat Liberal: 36 percent; Moderate: 40 percent; Conservative: 6 percent. Now check out the Republicans: Very Conservative: 45 percent; Somewhat Conservative: 43 percent; Moderate: 11 percent; Liberal: 1 percent.
One is a national party; the other is on its way to being an ideological church. The damage Bush and Rove have done - revealed in 2006 - is now inescapable.
Somewhere in between lies the truth.
What it Means for the Parties
The Democrats have three candidates that the base could ultimately rally around, two of whom could well attract strong support from moderates. The third, Hillary Clinton, remains the favorite, I should think, to take the nomination. If any sense of "inevitability" still attached to her prior to last night’s vote, however, it’s now gone. Obama is easily the bigger obstacle in her path.
A Huckabee nomination could conceivably destroy the party. Not only would he be lucky to break 40 percent in the general election against any of the plausible Democratic nominees but many fiscal conservatives and Chamber of Commerce Republicans would bolt. When Ronald Reagan and others mobilized rural Christian conservatives in the 1980s, they never expected that they would take such a prominent role in the party. Gradually, though, they took it over at the grass roots level in much of rural America.
Huckabee’s mobilization of fervent evangelicals, many of whom doubtless had never shown up for a caucus prior to last night, scares the **** out of mainstream Republicans. My strong hunch is that they’ll rally around someone else — probably McCain but possibly Romney or Giuliani — in Michigan and New Hampshire.
What it Means for the Country
Ultimately, I side with Optimistic Sullivan on this one. Democracy is a frustrating thing for elites, who have always feared mob rule. Still, it’s a remarkable thing that a black man with a Muslim name managed to beat out the Establishment-backed wife of a former president in one of the whitest states in the country. Adam Nagourney:
Mr. Obama’s victory in this overwhelmingly white state was a powerful answer to the question of whether America was prepared to vote for a black person for president. What was remarkable was the extent to which race was not a factor in this contest.
That Obama was able to do this partly on the basis of inspiring young people, traditionally one of the weakest voting blocks, is also a positive sign.
The elite disappointment with Huckabee’s easy win is palpable. Iowa’s format allows a fervent few to dominate; that structure isn’t in place in most of the states that follow. Still, the fact that a guy that was off the radar screen of even most political junkies a few months ago can stand next to much more famous and better financed men, state his case to the voters, and earn their support is the very ideal of our system.
We have a presidential, not a parliamentary, system in this country. Whereas the latter rewards political experience and working one’s way through the ranks, the former gives more weight to personality and an ability to connect with the people. There’s still a long, long way to go, though, before we face the prospect of a President Huckabee or President Obama.
I did not put words in your mouth....
if you are pro choice, and if you had to vote on the issue you would vote for it I assume...that means you support abortion. That is the plain and simple fact. There is no law now which states when an abortion has to occur. They can do it any time they get good and ready, beyond three months.
My dear kam, my "religion" does not tell me that a baby has a soul before it is born, my sense of morality and my heart tell me that. And just because you say a baby does not have a soul before it is born, that also does not make it so. If I am going to err, I most certainly would want to err on the side of the child. But that is just me.
Yes, I want state to state decisions to be made. That is what democracy is about. You hawk about choice, choice, choice. Every American should have the right to vote on this question. You want to allow a woman a choice to kill her baby, you don't want to allow me a choice to vote on the matter. Talk about hypocritical. Sheesh.
As you have stated ad nauseam, if a woman wants an abortion, she is going to get one, and I don't think having to travel to another state is going to stop her. Might be a little inconvenient, but I am sure those as liberal pro-choicers could set up buses, etc., to haul those women who want to have their babies killed to wherever they are killing babies.
You say you are not pro abortion...that must mean on some level personally you think it is wrong. That comes from your personal sense of morality, and since you are obviously not a "religious" person it does not come from God (although I do not believe that, but that is neither here nor there and not a discussion for this board). There are many people who are pro life who are not, as you say, "religious." They just believe that killing babies is wrong. The National Right to Life Committee is comprised of many non-"religious" people as well as "religious people." Believe it or not, there are people out there who just believe killing babies is wrong.
As to the SCHIP thing...that has nothing to do with the moral right or wrong of abortion. Why are you so concerned about health care of those children, and not concerned about the millions aborted every year? 98% of which have nothing to do with the health of the mother, rape, or incest? Why not limit abortion to rape, incest, or life of mother in danger? Why use it as a form of birth control? Because that is what 98% of abortions are. And if that is okay with you, so be it. I have a right to be against it, just as you have a right to be for it.
And, by the way, I also have a right to my "religion." Guaranteed by the Constitution of these United States of America. Just like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...there is no proviso "unless you are an inconvenient fetus, then all bets are off."
Have a nice day.
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