Shortly after the November election, I joked that maybe Republicans should all switch parties en masse just to confuse everybody. The media wouldn’t know whom to attack, other Democrats wouldn’t know whom to smear, and maybe the public would vote on ideas instead of party ID and other factors.
Unexpectedly, a new Hill poll backs up the soundness of the old switcheroo.
Respondents in The Hill Poll were asked to choose which of two approaches they would prefer on the budget, but the question’s phrasing included no cues as to which party advocated for which option.
Presented in that way, 55 percent of likely voters opted for a plan that would slash $5 trillion in government spending, provide for no additional tax revenue and balance the budget within 10 years — in essence, the path recommended by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) last week.
This was almost twice as many voters as opted for a proposal that would include $1 trillion in added tax revenue as well as $100 billion in infrastructure spending, and which would reduce the deficit without eradicating it.
Only 28 percent of voters preferred this option, which reflects the proposal put forth by Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) last week.
So, Paul Ryan for the win? Eh, not really. The same poll found that once voters were told which party supported which idea, the voters pulled the old switcheroo and backed the Democrats.
A plurality of voters, 35 percent, said they trust the Democrats more on budgetary issues, while 30 percent said they trust the Republicans more. A full 34 percent said they trust neither party.
The poll’s finding badly undercuts President Obama’s repeated claim that the American people are on his side in the budget standoffs. They’re not. They’re not on the side of his tax hikes or his increased spending. They’re not on the side of increasing the welfare state. You can still get a majority of Americans to recognize economic reality, which is welcome news.
But most voters are also not on the GOP’s side. As soon as they think they are on the GOP’s side, they run to the Democrats or declare themselves independent. That’s reflective of a party with a bad image problem that would have trouble selling anything.
The question is, what to do?
Much more on the next page.
It is a problem centered and founded upon women and beta males. They see the D party as one who will keep them secured in food and feel good pablum. They see the R party as oligarchs and warmongers even though this is not true in general.
Therefore we arrive at such cognitive dissonance in society. We are shaking apart and will continue to do so until the wheels come off and reality slaps women and beta males into focus.
It is what the Tyranny of the Do-Gooders work toward every waking hour.
It is a problem centered and founded upon women and beta males. They see the D party as one who will keep them secured in food and feel good pablum. They see the R party as oligarchs and warmongers even though this is not true in general.
Therefore we arrive at such cognitive dissonance in society. We are shaking apart and will continue to do so until the wheels come off and reality slaps women and beta males into focus.
It is what the Tyranny of the Do-Gooders work toward every waking hour.
Normally, I would agree. But the Republicans have a problem here that they can't control. Their opposition party controls the communications channel to the masses. They control the teachers, they control popular culture, they control the broadcast news, they control the papers.
Let's put this in a different context. What if it were Coke vs. Pepsi? What if children are told in school by their teachers that Pepsi is "bad"? What if the CEO of Coke and/or his wife is constantly invited to appear on children shows and sitcoms? What if Pepsi and Pepsi drinkers are the subject to constant ridicule on TV shows, movies, and popular music? What if it is constantly portrayed as being... (show more)
Normally, I would agree. But the Republicans have a problem here that they can't control. Their opposition party controls the communications channel to the masses. They control the teachers, they control popular culture, they control the broadcast news, they control the papers.
Let's put this in a different context. What if it were Coke vs. Pepsi? What if children are told in school by their teachers that Pepsi is "bad"? What if the CEO of Coke and/or his wife is constantly invited to appear on children shows and sitcoms? What if Pepsi and Pepsi drinkers are the subject to constant ridicule on TV shows, movies, and popular music? What if it is constantly portrayed as being extremely uncool to drink or even like Pepsi (much like WalMart is portrayed). What if when Pepsi DOES try to come out with a message, its words are taken out of context and spun to present an idea 180 degrees opposite of the real message? What happens when a low level employee of Pepsi says something stupid in private and it makes the national news as portraying the entire company as a whole?
Republicans, you aren't understanding the problem here. The FIRST thing Republicans need is to get control of communications channels to the people. Republicans need to buy some newspapers, buy radio and TV stations, buy a network. Fox isn't enough. Republicans need to own the news that goes into the car radio at the top of the hour during the morning and afternoon commute if they want to change the game.
(show less)
Er, how do we do that?
Er, how do we do that?
This personal criticism is coming from a conservative. The way to solve the problem in the interim in my opinion is to run "personality" heavy candidates for office - people who are seen as individuals promoting their own conservative political aims and goals rather than a mechanic within and of Republican circles pushing Republican ideas.... (show more)
This personal criticism is coming from a conservative. The way to solve the problem in the interim in my opinion is to run "personality" heavy candidates for office - people who are seen as individuals promoting their own conservative political aims and goals rather than a mechanic within and of Republican circles pushing Republican ideas.
Basically, people that are larger than life, with a compelling story, and a vision. The right vision, implemented from political ideas into policy, is what will ultimately rebrand the Republican party.
(show less)
I'm not at all surprised about this poll. I'm convinced that many people who voted for Obama knew what a problematic tool he is, but voted for him anyway because they thought it was a "better" choice than those "evil" Republicans. I would laugh but for the fact that their craven, imbecillic, ignorant and malicious choice in the voting booth will affect me and all others who knew how bad Obama and the Democrats are.
I'm not at all surprised about this poll. I'm convinced that many people who voted for Obama knew what a problematic tool he is, but voted for him anyway because they thought it was a "better" choice than those "evil" Republicans. I would laugh but for the fact that their craven, imbecillic, ignorant and malicious choice in the voting booth will affect me and all others who knew how bad Obama and the Democrats are.