Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDid they really think only old white men would hear the dogwhistles?
Did they really think only old white men would hear the dogwhistles?
by thereisnospoon
The political world is still reeling from the stunning revelation that Mitt Romney and his advisers had no idea they were going to lose until the returns came in. It turns out that Romney's push into Pennsylvania was neither desperate nor a bluff. They literally did believe they were expanding the map.
There's much that can be said about this. The first point, of course, is that Romney and Ryan were supposed to be hard-nosed numbers guys if nothing else. That was their entire claim to fame. And they couldn't apparently see the numbers that anyone taking a random look at the poll trackers could tell at a glance. That is very scary, and says a great deal about the conservative bubble of epistemic closure. No longer are the pied pipers leading the deluded flock. The inmates are now running the entire GOP asylum.
But equally important to note is one reason why they disbelieved the polling that clearly showed they would lose: they thought that youth and minorities would turn out at lower rates than in 2008, despite the growth of both demographic segments in the intervening time. They believed that the 2008 election was a black sheep that could not and would not be replicated:
The question is, why did they believe this?
Despite the craziness of Sarah Palin, it's important to remember that John McCain and most of the GOP establishment didn't go hard after the Nixonland race card in 2008. Sure, there was some of that. But they knew that if they pushed it too hard, it would backfire on them.
In the intervening four years, the Republican message against Obama has been nothing but one long racist tirade.
Muslim. Kenyan. Foreign. Hussein. Doesn't share our values. Not Christian. Wants to cut the work requirement in welfare. Obamaphones. "Holder's People." Black Panthers. "Moochelle Chewbacca Obama." "The White Hut." "Entitlement society." "Makers versus takers." Recovery, not dependency. Parasites.
This:
- more -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/09/1159752/-Did-they-really-think-only-old-white-men-would-hear-the-dogwhistles
by thereisnospoon
The political world is still reeling from the stunning revelation that Mitt Romney and his advisers had no idea they were going to lose until the returns came in. It turns out that Romney's push into Pennsylvania was neither desperate nor a bluff. They literally did believe they were expanding the map.
There's much that can be said about this. The first point, of course, is that Romney and Ryan were supposed to be hard-nosed numbers guys if nothing else. That was their entire claim to fame. And they couldn't apparently see the numbers that anyone taking a random look at the poll trackers could tell at a glance. That is very scary, and says a great deal about the conservative bubble of epistemic closure. No longer are the pied pipers leading the deluded flock. The inmates are now running the entire GOP asylum.
But equally important to note is one reason why they disbelieved the polling that clearly showed they would lose: they thought that youth and minorities would turn out at lower rates than in 2008, despite the growth of both demographic segments in the intervening time. They believed that the 2008 election was a black sheep that could not and would not be replicated:
They misread turnout. They expected it to be between 2004 and 2008 levels, with a plus-2 or plus-3 Democratic electorate, instead of plus-7 as it was in 2008. Their assumptions were wrong on both sides: The president's base turned out and Romney's did not. More African-Americans voted in Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida than in 2008. And fewer Republicans did: Romney got just over 2 million fewer votes than John McCain.
The question is, why did they believe this?
Despite the craziness of Sarah Palin, it's important to remember that John McCain and most of the GOP establishment didn't go hard after the Nixonland race card in 2008. Sure, there was some of that. But they knew that if they pushed it too hard, it would backfire on them.
In the intervening four years, the Republican message against Obama has been nothing but one long racist tirade.
Muslim. Kenyan. Foreign. Hussein. Doesn't share our values. Not Christian. Wants to cut the work requirement in welfare. Obamaphones. "Holder's People." Black Panthers. "Moochelle Chewbacca Obama." "The White Hut." "Entitlement society." "Makers versus takers." Recovery, not dependency. Parasites.
This:
- more -
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/09/1159752/-Did-they-really-think-only-old-white-men-would-hear-the-dogwhistles
47%- ain't irony a b!tch?!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021765370
Weird Willard and "You People" Ann ride off into the sunset on their $77,000 tax-break horse.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
7 replies, 1052 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (9)
ReplyReply to this post
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Did they really think only old white men would hear the dogwhistles? (Original Post)
ProSense
Nov 2012
OP
malaise
(269,157 posts)1. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
Stupid ignorant ReTHUGs
Fugg 'em!!! Let them stay in their bubble - they will be replaced - progress marches forward.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)2. Sweet, isn't it?
Fugg 'em!!!
malaise
(269,157 posts)5. You want to see sweet
Put your cursor on a state
http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/results
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)3. I've said the same thing in other threads....
I took this election *very* personal
ProSense
(116,464 posts)4. The arrogance was disgusting
An entire campaign built on belittling people and insulting every group outside their delusional bubble.
Sad Romney lost? FU!
Raine
(30,540 posts)6. I'm still amazed at how clueless and stupid they are. nt
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)7. Fuck them and the horse they rode out on
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
It's good to know that not only do they seek idiots for allies, but they seek idiots for campaign managers.