Popularity has little to do with policies

Post #418,154 by drook 5/15/17 2:56:34 PM 5/15/17 2:56:34 PM Reply	Popularity has little to do with policies Elections are literally a popularity contest. Some people gain popularity because of their policies, but the election itself only measures popularity, not the reason why. Trump weaponized this knowledge to a greater degree than most people believed was possible. He's a glib, charismatic, likable guy ... as long as you're not counting on him to hold up his end of a deal. If the Democratic party wants to win elections, they won't do it by refining - or overhauling - their positions. They'll do it by grooming more likable candidates. We've had our asses handed to us for more than 30 years, ever since we turned toward Wall Street and adopted Republican policies as our own. 30 years ago was the middle of Reagan's second term. Since then it's been Bush Sr. for 1 term, Clinton for 2, Bush Jr. for 1, Obama for 2, and now Trump. That's about as equal a split as you can do. -- Drew
Post #418,157 by mmoffitt 5/15/17 3:52:47 PM 5/15/17 3:52:47 PM Reply	Oh, that explains why Democrats insisted on Hillary OVER the most popular politician in the US! bcnu, Mikem It's mourning in America again.
Post #418,158 by drook 5/15/17 4:03:18 PM 5/15/17 4:03:18 PM Reply	The Democratic Party doesn't vote The biggest difference between the two parties lately is that the Democratic Party chooses candidates based on policy/ideology, while the Republican Party chooses based on who will win. Reagan used to be a Democrat? Who cares, he's popular. Trump used to be a Democrat? Who cares, he's popular. The Tea Party is openly opposed to the current leadership of the party? Who cares, they're popular. Republicans prefer to win first, then negotiate within the party to decide what to do. Democrats have the negotiation first, then try to win with the "best" candidate. Bernie didn't support the Democratic party platform. They don't have to let him run under their banner. -- Drew
Post #418,159 by mmoffitt 5/15/17 4:06:35 PM 5/15/17 4:06:35 PM Reply	Dude, Bernie WROTE a lot of the Democratic Platform. HTH. bcnu, Mikem It's mourning in America again.
Post #418,160 by drook 5/15/17 4:11:23 PM 5/15/17 4:11:24 PM Reply	Apparently not the parts the cared about -- Drew
Post #418,390 by CRConrad 5/31/17 1:36:10 PM 5/31/17 1:36:10 PM Reply	A) Which of the terms 2001-'04 and 2005-'08 is it that doesn't count? Also, B) Who owned Congress during those years? Having the presidency but not being able (or even willing to try?) to do anything with it because one or both Houses blocks you is also pretty much "having your ass handed to you", and I seem to recall which party's Presidents have been in that situation and which party's haven't. And, C) Being popular enough to win both Presidency and Congress might perhaps have a little something to do with having popular policies after all, donchathink? No fucking wonder the Democrats have lost Congress seemingly forever, when their Congressmen are to all intents and porpoises indistinguishable from (most; the old just-Jesus-and-plutocracy kind) Republicans. (Though, admittedly, usually not the newfangled totally-out-of-their-gourd ones.) -- Christian R. Conrad Same old username (as above), but now on iki.fi (Yeah, yeah, it redirects to the same old GMail... But just in case I ever want to change.)

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