G.O.P., Though Deeply Split, Has Election Edge, Poll Shows

[steve2470]

Don't shoot the messenger folks, I'm only reposting this for critique and discussion. Thanks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/27/us/politics/despite-rifts-gop-has-election-edge-poll-finds.html?hpw&rref=politics

Republicans are in a stronger position than Democrats for this year’s midterm elections, benefiting from the support of self-described independents, even though the party itself is deeply divided and most Americans agree more with Democratic policy positions, the latest New York Times/CBS News poll shows.

The independents in the poll — a majority of whom were white or male or under age 45 — continued to sour on President Obama’s job performance. Republicans hold their edge despite the fissures in their party over whether it is too conservative or not conservative enough, and many are discouraged about the party’s future.

Democrats, in turn, are more optimistic and relatively united. Nonetheless, they, too, are held in low regard over all by a public fed up with Washington’s failure to compromise, and they have failed so far to energize a broader segment of the population.

A majority of Americans surveyed also said they wanted both parties to do more to address the concerns of the middle class, reduce the budget deficit with both tax increases and spending cuts, and let illegal immigrants stay in the country and apply for citizenship. Mr. Obama shares those positions on the budget and immigration.

[Old and In the Way]

1. Obviously, the voters haven't suffered enough.

There is one Party that is creating the problems in DC and that's the Republicans. Why voters will reward this, the screwball state legislations, ALEC, the Koch Brothers, and their anti-middle class/anti-women/anti-voter agenda totally mystifies me.

[Dawson Leery]

2. +1

[steve2470]

3. Our messaging is not working well enough

Of course, it doesn't help that the Koch brothers are spending millions on TV ads lying their asses off. I was glad when Harry Reid took them on bluntly. Sound bites rule the day, and we have to be mindful of that.

[fredamae]

4. This is exactly the reaction

they seek-defeatism-demoralization-hopelessness and Why we need to understand Real quick that we Must ignore Robo-calls, Talking Heads and other opinionators, News, MSM, Mailers, Newspapers, Polls, Radio, Emails etc---ie: All Bought and paid for Advertising and Political Talking Points. Propaganda.
Get involved in your communities and discuss real experiences trying to survive that which All of Congress and State Elected officials are dealing us. Review their votes and Don't wait for Media to ask the hard questions--do it yourself-relentlessly.
Never forget the "mirror image" of their points and Always look at it in the "Big Picture" to consider All consequences. Then, decide for yourself.
We don't "need" their expensive campaign ads to help us decide. We are Free Thinkers but have gotten sucked in to simply relying upon what were told. Or party loyalty bs. We are Not doing ourselves any favors by "waiting for the answers We are well equipped to answer ourselves" - we may have to work a bit to find the truth--buut it's still out there and it isn't likely gonna be found in any traditional media.
Media is monopolized by corporate interests-so hell yes, they'll produce polls like this. So will many, many others in the upcoming months.
Votes matter. Only votes will tell you what you need to know about Who your Rep works For and how they "really feel" on the issues.
Too many times I've watched "dems" get on camera, blame Everything on the GOP as their Own finger is on the "vote yes" button.
And of course we know how Rotten the GOP Is, but could they have been So successful without "some dems" helping them?

[savalez]

5. When we vote we win. GOTV.

[apnu]

13. Amen brother (nt)

[blkmusclmachine]

6. 11-Dimensionsal Bipartisanship: "win by losing."

[world wide wally]

7. Americans are stupid

period

[BlueStater]

8. "Independents"

I think the writer meant to say "idiots".

[Jamaal510]

9. +1

[otohara]

12. Agreed

dumbest people I've talked to over the years.

[DFW]

10. The trick is in the wording

What the Democrats have to try and say in 20 words or less:

We are working overtime, trying to figure out solutions to complicated issues, in order to improve your lives and that of your children. The Republicans are spending a billion dollars in advertising to convince you NOT to improve your lives or those of your children. There's a reason why they need to spend a billion dollars on that message and we don't. Figure it out. It's your choice, and yes, it IS that simple.

Frank Luntz could figure out how to say that in a 10 second sound byte, but he works for the other side. He could figure out how to say that starvation, homelessness, discrimination, poor health and poverty are what America needs, and voting for them is patriotic.

Don't laugh, because half of America WILL vote that way this fall.

[TheKentuckian]

11. Maybe in part but there are also concerns about what the actual message even is

At least beyond the Republicans are awful but only kinda as they are also good people we just a few disagreements with but are right about a lot of things like the left being loony.

The "big tent" stuff is its own kind of poison pill if for no other reason than it makes it neigh on to impossible to have a clear, strong, and coherent message and you end up mouthing seriously stupid shit like "eat at your peas" and "embrace the suck" in a vain effort to motivate your voters.

[fun n serious]

14. We don't march to the beat of the same drummer.

We're smarter, we read, we form our own conclusions and never follow just for the sake of following. This is how they win. They follow with no facts. We delve deep and go our own way. We have many thoughts, many theories, all probable and intelligent. They have one way or the highway and it works! Sadly.

[stillcool]

15. I hope they keep..

Reporting this way. We really need a big turn-out..especially in those states that make it difficult for people to vote. I hope there is plenty of advertising about election day, and what a particular state requires it's citizens to have.