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nashville_brook

(20,958 posts)

77. it's possible b/c our base is largely "emerging voters" rather than established voters

Tue May 13, 2014, 06:50 PM

May 2014

the majorities that we count on to win presidential elections come from youth, minority and especially hispanic voters. these groups are traditionally low-turnout constituencies that come out if there's a candidate they're passionate about.

midterms are "state" races. there's no national profile candidates or campaigns. there's just local city councils, congress members, ballot initiatives and confusing races for judges, soil/water conservation board, school board and other local offices that new voters sometimes don't even know exist.

making things even worse, the party doesn't have the power to deliver on social justice issues that really ignite this base -- immigration reform, workers' rights, and better jobs are all things we haven't been able to deliver on, and can't actually make a convincing argument for being able to until 2020.

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"Republicans fear their base, Dems hate their base�" do we see this here? [View all] nashville_brook May 2014 OP

I have the feeling that liberals and progressives are now just considered an inconvenient part djean111 May 2014 #1

this polarization within the party seems to be weakening us... nashville_brook May 2014 #2

That's what I see, and I've also quit sending the money. I'm just fed up with it all. I'll RKP5637 May 2014 #39

The social con tea party right is effective because they... Demo_Chris May 2014 #3

"policy demanders" -- that's what the author calls activists who're really moving legislators nashville_brook May 2014 #6

Depends how you define effective. They prevented the GOP from winning the senate in 2010. stevenleser May 2014 #75

Kinda simplistic... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #4

"leftist radicals," really? nashville_brook May 2014 #5

Maybe, but... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #9

what's the $30K solution -- is this a septic tank issue? nashville_brook May 2014 #11

Yes. Most places around here have old cesspools, but... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #12

is there any talk of a public sewer system? seems that would make sense. nashville_brook May 2014 #13

With over 300 square miles and... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #20

thanks for all the info -- we have similar issues with FL springs nashville_brook May 2014 #50

I am amazed when I read this kind of writing nadinbrzezinski May 2014 #19

Why? Have you met any of our radicals? Do you really... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #22

Radicals... those radicals are labor nadinbrzezinski May 2014 #28

Throughout most of the 20th century it was the party of... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #35

I see, ergo the base nadinbrzezinski May 2014 #36

Who are these "Leftist Radicals" of which you speak? bvar22 May 2014 #32

Who said FDR Democrats are radical? I don't want to... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #37

I asked a specific question. bvar22 May 2014 #42

I said I am not going to identify policies... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #46

You aren't going to identify "policies"? bvar22 May 2014 #48

I think the article makes a few good points...but is too simplistic given the money KoKo May 2014 #7

unless I misssed it Enrique May 2014 #14

Excitement over Obama was way below... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #16

since it's just a blog post, i bet the author is working on something more longform nashville_brook May 2014 #53

This is what bothers me. The GOP Minority seemed to get most of what they wanted KoKo May 2014 #62

George Bush never had 60 votes, bvar22 May 2014 #68

The corporate party dislikes both ends of the spectrum n2doc May 2014 #8

indeed. KoKo's post above is a great example of that. nashville_brook May 2014 #10

Indeed, and I remember those meetups as well nadinbrzezinski May 2014 #21

part of what she describes is truly terrifying to the party's corporate consultants... nashville_brook May 2014 #49

Yep. *Money* hates liberals & progressives DirkGently May 2014 #27

I have been saying that for years nadinbrzezinski May 2014 #15

I have run, and after... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #23

I've learned RobertEarl May 2014 #17

Republicans hate their base. Dems take theirs for granted. Iggo May 2014 #18

The GOP Establishment hates AND fears their base, whereas Proud Public Servant May 2014 #24

du rec. xchrom May 2014 #25

If you think DU=Democratic party base, then the party considers the base completely irrelevant Rowdyboy May 2014 #26

+ 1000 pnwmom May 2014 #29

Well, we're closer to "the base" than your birthday party. DirkGently May 2014 #31

If you think a few thousand assorted internet personas here represents the Democratic party Rowdyboy May 2014 #59

No, your birthday party is not "more reliably the 'base' " DirkGently May 2014 #61

It was a great birthday-a bunch of aging hippies and even included one of my professors Rowdyboy May 2014 #65

Oh gawd, not the fracking car salesman thing! :) DirkGently May 2014 #67

Well, my health really sucks and if I'm lucky I'll be here to vote for whoever we nominate in 2016 Rowdyboy May 2014 #74

We can do better. At the very least, the pendulum DirkGently May 2014 #88

HA! I see the word "base" thrown around a lot, but... TreasonousBastard May 2014 #43

it's quite interesting that you don't mention minority groups, which are "the new majority" nashville_brook May 2014 #51

Uh, second paragraph..."The base is vast and varied, but includes women, minorities....." Rowdyboy May 2014 #55

my bad -- apologies! nashville_brook May 2014 #83

No apologies necessary. I live in Mississippi-probably 95% of the Democrats I meet are minorities Rowdyboy May 2014 #87

Thank You!!!!! Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #64

IMO it's because when it comes to $$$$$ R=D=I. One does not see too many poor people or even RKP5637 May 2014 #30

it's sad b/c this is basically the GOP narrative� govt doesn't/can't work nashville_brook May 2014 #52

Yep, agree, but I will not sit it out. I'm just disappointed, that's really what it's all about. RKP5637 May 2014 #60

my sense is that folks that participate here are all voters nashville_brook May 2014 #79

I was just thinking more on this, and what really annoys me is I think the RKP5637 May 2014 #63

Not the base treestar May 2014 #33

It's pretty easy to navigate Aerows May 2014 #34

Exactly Bjorn Against May 2014 #40

I agree Aerows May 2014 #41

That's crazy talk! DirkGently May 2014 #44

well said. nashville_brook May 2014 #45

In the Arkansas Democratic Primary, 2010, bvar22 May 2014 #38

this, i think, is a good example of a struggle for power nashville_brook May 2014 #47

Well there's your "fear" right there. Fear of deep pockets. DirkGently May 2014 #54

if you can't get black voters it means you are having trouble with the base JI7 May 2014 #66

Oh YES!... because Blanche Lincoln was so GOOD for the Arkansas Black Community! bvar22 May 2014 #69

if she has been bad and you still can't get their votes there is a problem JI7 May 2014 #70

No. bvar22 May 2014 #72

if that was the case republicans could easily win there but they are the toughest to win JI7 May 2014 #73

the fact is the base loves Obama and the clintons JI7 May 2014 #56

I kinda stopped reading after this.... Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #57

Hilariously Delusional.. yeah, Dems expose libertarian ratfuckers. Go Figure. Cha May 2014 #78

so, you don't think it's worth having privacy, that's fine. nashville_brook May 2014 #81

You got that right. Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #89

yes, well civil liberties are values that many dems are concerned about. nashville_brook May 2014 #80

Define "many". I'd like to see any current polling that shows this as a priority for Dems. Thanks. Tarheel_Dem May 2014 #90

The "Not as bad" argument caters to the center right of the party. And, keeps the left in line. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2014 #58

Remember DLC press conference saying Howard Dean would not be president? madfloridian May 2014 #71

The American Taliban Organizers, i.e. Koch Bros, are hoping you are all fed up... randys1 May 2014 #76

it's possible b/c our base is largely "emerging voters" rather than established voters nashville_brook May 2014 #77

Why would a bunch of conflict adverse folks with easily corralled by fear of radicals make any one TheKentuckian May 2014 #82

If we make consequences then Republicans win Fumesucker May 2014 #84

:) b/c apparently civil rights are no longer a Democratic value... nashville_brook May 2014 #86

spot on -- and the thing is, it's not *that* difficult. lawmakers need political cover... nashville_brook May 2014 #85