If the shoe were on the other foot...

[kentuck]

...and it was the Democrats that were blocking the nomination of a Secretary of Defense and requiring 60 votes to pass anything thru Congress, you can bet the Democrats would pay a high political price for such maneuvers.

The Republicans would be on the offensive against the Democrats and the media would be non-stop calling out their shenanigans. In a short matter of time, they would fold like a cheap suit. They would be called anti-American and a threat to our national security.

But, why is it different when the Republicans do it?

[Glorfindel]

1. Because Democrats are too nice, and don't want to hurt any Repuke feelings?

Because the mainstream media are 100% owned and operated by "tea party" conservative Repukes? Perhaps Senate Majority Leader Reid will mutter some platitudes in his wispy, wispy voice. That'll show 'em!

[COLGATE4]

3. There's a wonderful cartoon (which I can't find)

that depicts a roomful of Democrat Donkeys cowering in terror before a spine. The caption "Good Lord! What's that thing?!!!". Seems to sum it up pretty well.

[Liberalagogo]

23. here ya go

[COLGATE4]

25. Many thanks!!!!! That's it!

[Callmecrazy]

2. Because the Democratic leadership doesn't want to "go there"...

Because that's not the way we do things.

But I think that by behaving exactly that way toward the Republicans would be more productive.
Maybe the Dem leadership would get a little respect from the Repubs if we stood up to them and called them on their bullshit. I think the best way to stop a bully is a good smash to the face.
They usually tone down their rhetoric after that.


Thoughts?

[madashelltoo]

5. Well, I don't think you can get a bully's attention

With intelligent offerings delivered in a quiet, civil tone. You have to throw them to the ground, punch them really hard in the mouth (draw some blood), and yell obscenities in their face just to get their attention.

I am not saying that is exactly what democrats need to do, but find a way to do it that is acceptable. Don't ask me what that is. Until they pop the bully hard enough to get his attention long enough to communicate with them, they are talking to the wind.

My penny.

[Callmecrazy]

7. I agree completely nt

[City Lights]

4. For one, Democrats play (more) fairly.

Two, Democrats rarely have well-coordinated messaging like the Nopublicans, who parrot Frank Luntz talking points in front of every camera. And three, the corporate media always helps Nopublicans get their message out.

[Callmecrazy]

6. The Media loves political theater...

And the repubs are experts at it because of people like Frank Luntz. We need a Frank Luntz of our own to get our message out.

PITBULLS! NOT POODLES!

[City Lights]

12. A Luntz-like person would be helpful.

However, I would not want to see Democrats turn into parrots that read from scripts like Nopublicans currently do. Even though it is effective in getting their point across, I think it makes them look shallow and stupid - like they've never had an original thought of their own. Little robots going from camera to camera reading from the same script. A Luntz-like creature on our side would be helpful in coming up with ideas/phrasing, etc. Democrats could then use these as starting points for customizing their message before going on camera.

[Callmecrazy]

13. Good idea, but...

(and there's always a but) repeating talking points is what sticks in the minds of the public. And an occasional gut punch to the republicans would be nice to see on the news.

[City Lights]

14. Yeah, it's a catch-22.

The thing that sucks about it is also the thing that makes it work.

[Callmecrazy]

15. Yup. So the Dems could maybe...

use those tactics in moderation. And I don't mean on topics like someone cheating on their spouse. I mean outright lies and distortions of the facts.

Nuke 'em till they glow.

Thinking about it now, I really miss Keith O.

[City Lights]

19. Yes, moderation is good!

And the staff of these shows need to cut GOP mics if they refuse to stop talking when their time is up. They frequently continue to talk over the Democrat, so the audience can't hear what the Democrat even said!

I miss Keith, too.

[hfojvt]

8. because it is their media

Our own media, such as it is, will probably attempt to make some noise.

But really, back when Republicans had the White House, and the Senate, Democrats DID require 60 votes for everything. And Republicans did not like it. They threatened to "go nuclear" and we were apoplectic about them doing such a thing. We certainly WANTED democrats to filibuster some of his nominations, like Ashcroft and Roberts and Alito.

Bush and Republican leaders were constantly demanding "up or down" votes. http://progressivepatriots.com/up-or-down-vote-fantasyland-whine-by-bush.html I don't think the Democrats lost all of those battles back then - it just seemed and seems that way, because the victories seems minor and the defeats still sting.

[indepat]

9. But in a right-wing-soused society, the MSM usually shields Republicans' lies, distortions,

stochastic terrorism, hate mongering, malfeasance, obstruction, misfeasance, non-feasance, treasonous calls for rebellion, raise the use of false equivalencies to an art form, and jump on and malign every Democratic gaffe or misdeed, no matter how trivial, like ugly on the ugly ape they ape.

[Callmecrazy]

11. Wow! I had to take a breath after that...

And it took a minute to process after drinking a beer.

Excellent rant, indepat!

[indepat]

16. Going for a beer

[tblue37]

10. Silly Rabbit, don't you know? IOKIYAR!! nt

[madinmaryland]

17. Because there is no such thing as a "liberal media". nt

[Cleita]

18. Apparently because they own 60% of everything out there, and I'm being conservative,

which gives them power.

[oldhippydude]

20. how about a 2 year rope a dope

let them be the slimy bastards the are, and take back the house next election... Obama for America did not disband.. we need only remind the voters who's doing the obstruction..... while they have the advantage of Gerrymandering, the new demographics ultimately will be their defeat.

[mgardener]

21. Because...

Because Democrats let it happen and do not say anything about it.
And because we do not have a 24/7 cable station saying whatever they want.
We do not have the equivalent of beck and limbaugh spouting lies and twisting the truth.

The truth is, democrats let a LOT of things slide.
I am getting fed up with what they allow the republicans to get a way with.

[littlemissmartypants]

22. Thinking like a sociopath is very troubling.

Who would want to sit on a sofa in a Republican Tea Bag head?

Love, Peace and Shelter. lmsp

[GeorgeGist]

24. Thank God for Harry ...

and filibusterer reform.

[spanone]

26. has the media even used the word 'obstructionists' in the last four years? not that i'm aware of.

the media is republican owned.