09-06-2008
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Wandering Aimlessly
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cruising
Posts: 14,639
Rep Power: 12
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Oddly enough, I think there is a somewhat contradictary dynamic at work. The party's themselves have become too loosely defined, while the subsets have become too narrowly defined. That said, I think the Dems are less loose as a party, while the GOP is less narrow about the subsets.
For instance, while Obama may not be beholden to the party, he does stick to the liberal orthodoxy. Or, in other words, though he bucks the party establishment, he still hews firmly to the party line.
On the other hand, McCain not only bucks the party establishment, he also strays from the party line.
Outside of the Presidency, the GOP has a greater tendancy to allow people off the reservation. As an example, look at the Lieberman situation. We have the Democrats saying that voting with somebody 90% of the time makes them the same as the person they vote with. Yet, Lieberman votes with the Dems 90% of the time, and they kick him out.
Then there are the social issues. While bread and butter issues still play a part, it is the social issues that excite the base. Throw in the class issue, and you have most elections decided on emotion rather than reason. That's the one thing the Dems haven't truely figured out yet on the National level. Obama kinda gets it, but he still can't step away from the liberal orthodoxy to make that reach to middle America. If he loses in Nov., no matter what excuses they try to come up with, that will be the reason.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
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