If I were an anti-Democrat strategist looking to 2012 . . . . .

[Stinky The Clown]

. . . . I would create a structure not unlike the teabagger thing, but for the left. I would order my media to more or less ignore the teabaggers - particularly those just elected to Congress - for a while and cover breathlessly this new organization. Get some meme out there that "the people" are all pissed off for the country going so hard to the right. I'd work to suck in all the far left first, and then start go after those slightly to their right.

Make this a big thing. "The New Place For Hope" if you will. Portray it as all grassrootsie and viable.

The net result will be a split left vote in 2012 and big repubican victories.

The moral: be careful what you wish for. Someone not your friend may give it to you.

[emulatorloo]

1. Yes. Gop'ers have done that sort of thing all the time. "pot strirring"

Although not on that scale. People are going to call you paranoid, but you're not.

[meow mix]

2. several leftwing causes up for grabs, since dems are no longer supporting the left ideals

they could take up the mantle for marijuana and suck the left dry, very easily right now.

they wouldnt have to pass anything of course just make the noise, look for more of this coming from palin 2011

[BzaDem]

3. Except that there are people here that would LOVE for this to happen.

It would "send a message" and all of that.

[onehandle]

4. Say... Where is Ralph Nader anyway? nt

[Gaedel]

6. Create a fund for Grayson

So that he and his staffers can live in Iowa from now till the 2012 caucuses.

Get a young leftist groundswell going against Obama and make him burn campaign funds in the primaries.

[madinmaryland]

8. Right here, from yesterday...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=389&topic_id=9443218&mesg_id=9443218

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Ralph would know

Ralph, in 2004, was a part of a scheme similar to what I outlined in the OP. I think in 2000 he was more sincere in his intent, albeit misguided.

[CJCRANE]

5. The GOP spends 99% of their energy

on creating narratives like this.

The Dems need to continue governing but they need to realize that controlling the media narrative is almost as important.

They need to look at Rove's (and before him) Gingrich's techniques but use them to reinforce the facts and the truth
(or at least know how to counteract their techniques).

[dbonds]

7. Or, an anti-Democratic strategist might try to create doubt by ...

putting out the word that any left leaning grassroots organization are probably controlled by right wingers. This would tend to keep the progressive part of the party with the corporate part of the party in spite of what they may do. It would also thwart any attempts by the left to create a progressive movement.