Comments on: ELECTION DAY 2009: PUSHING FURTHER TOWARD THE EXTREME http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691 Thoughts of a wordslinger... Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:41:39 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kenny Dickson http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691&cpage=1#comment-16290 Kenny Dickson Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:59:45 +0000 http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691#comment-16290 John, I think the genesis of the rub with the republicans was the candidate, as I understand it, was selected by party leaders and not elected by primary vote as this was an off year special election. It would be a different story, and one that may be in the works somewheredown the road. Also, the President and Democratic party may alsoface that " our way or on your way" mentality over the President's decision re. Afganistan if he decides to extend the US military presence. Also conversely, if the healthcare reform is viewed to be too big and expensive, it may be a line in the sand between blue dogs and more extreme members of the party. John,
I think the genesis of the rub with the republicans was the candidate, as I understand it, was selected by party leaders and not elected by primary vote as this was an off year special election. It would be a different story, and one that may be in the works somewheredown the road. Also, the President and Democratic party may alsoface that ” our way or on your way” mentality over the President’s decision re. Afganistan if he decides to extend the US military presence. Also conversely, if the healthcare reform is viewed to be too big and expensive, it may be a line in the sand between blue dogs and more extreme members of the party.

]]> By: John http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691&cpage=1#comment-16253 John Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:55:33 +0000 http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691#comment-16253 Fraulien, I hear you, but I hope you notice that I then referenced the Wall Street Journal, which takes a very different tone, which is why I placed it right after the Salon commentary. My point is not that Scozzafava is a moderate. My point is that there was once room for people like her in the GOP, and there no longer is. Te Democrats have become the party of the big tent. One need only look at the fact that Obama has appointed Republicans---something Bush never did--to his cabinet and to important ambassadorships. The most moderate Dem is now in the White House, and that's one reason, I think, why the Republicans have gone so far to the right edge. Obama has absolutely stolen the middle ground. Having said that, as I say in the piece, he needs a real opposition. That's the whole point. Without a real opposition, he can't govern well, and right now, the GOP is not offering a real opposition. Finally, the more extreme the GOP, the more energized the extreme end of the Democratic Party. It's bad all around. Fraulien, I hear you, but I hope you notice that I then referenced the Wall Street Journal, which takes a very different tone, which is why I placed it right after the Salon commentary. My point is not that Scozzafava is a moderate. My point is that there was once room for people like her in the GOP, and there no longer is. Te Democrats have become the party of the big tent. One need only look at the fact that Obama has appointed Republicans—something Bush never did–to his cabinet and to important ambassadorships. The most moderate Dem is now in the White House, and that’s one reason, I think, why the Republicans have gone so far to the right edge. Obama has absolutely stolen the middle ground.

Having said that, as I say in the piece, he needs a real opposition. That’s the whole point. Without a real opposition, he can’t govern well, and right now, the GOP is not offering a real opposition. Finally, the more extreme the GOP, the more energized the extreme end of the Democratic Party. It’s bad all around.

]]> By: Fraulien http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691&cpage=1#comment-16250 Fraulien Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:23:56 +0000 http://john.purplestateofmind.com/?p=691#comment-16250 Gee....your post seems remarkably one sided. I enjoy your writing most when you seem able to see the other side. To be quoting Salon about how the Republican Party is being taken over by extremists is very ironic. Any day now, the New York Times will decry the politicization of the mainstream media. Speaking of that....did you read Frank Rich's recent column on the GOP? Between him and Dowd and Salon...where are all the moderate Democrats hiding? I assume Frank Rich is not going to be wanting to buy an NFL team anytime soon? Glen Beck has gone over the edge...no doubt about it. However, to make Scozzafa out to be a moderate Republican is interesting. She ended up endorsing the Democratic Candidate and is now reportedly thinking about registering as a Democrat. Perhaps some people were simply ahead of the curve in recognizing her political leanings. I have seen no lack of extremists rearing their heads in the Democratic Party. The GOP...yes they have some whackos also...but "let he/she whose party is without extremism, cast the first stone". Gee….your post seems remarkably one sided. I enjoy your writing most when you seem able to see the other side. To be quoting Salon about how the Republican Party is being taken over by extremists is very ironic. Any day now, the New York Times will decry the politicization of the mainstream media. Speaking of that….did you read Frank Rich’s recent column on the GOP? Between him and Dowd and Salon…where are all the moderate Democrats hiding? I assume Frank Rich is not going to be wanting to buy an NFL team anytime soon? Glen Beck has gone over the edge…no doubt about it. However, to make Scozzafa out to be a moderate Republican is interesting. She ended up endorsing the Democratic Candidate and is now reportedly thinking about registering as a Democrat. Perhaps some people were simply ahead of the curve in recognizing her political leanings. I have seen no lack of extremists rearing their heads in the Democratic Party. The GOP…yes they have some whackos also…but “let he/she whose party is without extremism, cast the first stone”.

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