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Orsino

(37,428 posts)

37. I referred to the enormous excluded middle...

Sat Nov 15, 2014, 06:53 PM

Nov 2014

...between litmus tests and standing for nothing.

Most of us are mixed bags of issues. Few of us take no stance, and few of us are single-issue voters.

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If you object to "litmus tests", aren't you basically saying we should stand for nothing? [View all] Ken Burch Nov 2014 OP

But, we all have different litmus... TreasonousBastard Nov 2014 #1

Well, you always make SOME compromises. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #4

That's what YOU say they are saying. ColesCountyDem Nov 2014 #8

When good people refuse to support good candidates, the people lose. baldguy Nov 2014 #15

Precisely! ColesCountyDem Nov 2014 #18

Out of curiousity, what "test" did Adlai The Second fail? Ken Burch Nov 2014 #42

We weren't subjecting candidates to litmus tests then. ColesCountyDem Nov 2014 #48

True, but it isn't usually GOOD candidates who fail those tests. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #44

I wish Poshard had won, but he brought that on himself. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #46

He didn't make an issue out of it, KB-- his opponents did. ColesCountyDem Nov 2014 #50

They are not supposed to be given treestar Nov 2014 #40

Perhaps, but you can get agreement on basic core values. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #45

But you could, this is how the saying treestar Nov 2014 #51

I've been growled at for refusing to cross the "choice" line Warpy Nov 2014 #2

This, especially this part... YoungDemCA Nov 2014 #28

For what it's worth, the other side says the same thing treestar Nov 2014 #52

They're just as wrong as the pro slavery side was and for the same reason. Warpy Nov 2014 #58

I look for a candidate that is strong on civil rights Kalidurga Nov 2014 #3

If there are no standards or litmus test, we stand for nothing IdiocracyTheNewNorm Nov 2014 #5

, blkmusclmachine Nov 2014 #6

Obviously you aren't a Liberal or Democrat whistler162 Nov 2014 #7

^^^^^ This! +1. n/t ColesCountyDem Nov 2014 #9

exactly wyldwolf Nov 2014 #11

*ding *ding *ding* We have a winner. LostInAnomie Nov 2014 #38

Who determines the litmus test? wyldwolf Nov 2014 #10

I'm OK with a litmus test TexasProgresive Nov 2014 #12

litmus tests are for primaries, after that it is all about control of Committees krawhitham Nov 2014 #13

Giving a litmus test to those two would be like drug testing people who can't even buy food. jtuck004 Nov 2014 #16

First purges, then litmus tests ... what's next? Loyalty oaths? Hugo Boss uniforms? baldguy Nov 2014 #14

Common sense has no place in this debate! ColesCountyDem Nov 2014 #19

So put together a common program on a few issues then. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #27

We already have a common program YoungDemCA Nov 2014 #29

no, that's a non-program. It says nothing and stands for nothing. n/t. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #30

Then do something to change it YoungDemCA Nov 2014 #31

That's what the litmus tests are for. baldguy Nov 2014 #34

I will be. And I won't be alone. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #35

But whoever they elected is the one they chose treestar Nov 2014 #53

No. Orsino Nov 2014 #17

"the middle" is now a meaningless term. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #26

I referred to the enormous excluded middle... Orsino Nov 2014 #37

Litmus paper tests one characteristic...voter support is usually more complicated HereSince1628 Nov 2014 #20

Some around here think the only litmus is there a D after their name. hobbit709 Nov 2014 #21

On the other hand, litmus tests basically mean, "I refuse to listen to anything you have to say." chrisa Nov 2014 #22

NO...they mean "I'll listen, but I have the right to expect some things." Ken Burch Nov 2014 #25

Personal beliefs and expectations mean nothing for a party's core values. chrisa Nov 2014 #36

The others have a right to the same respect treestar Nov 2014 #55

+1 the media wants a show treestar Nov 2014 #54

And who will pretend to be clever enough to develop the litmus test? LanternWaste Nov 2014 #23

No. Iggo Nov 2014 #24

I wonder what donco Nov 2014 #32

I think it means you're saying Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #33

Black and white thinking treestar Nov 2014 #39

Fine, name a topic that voters in Alabama can agree with voters from San Francisco. Savannahmann Nov 2014 #41

That's an extreme example. Ken Burch Nov 2014 #43

Indeed? So we write off Alabama. Savannahmann Nov 2014 #47

No, I'm saying that many different issues all matter. Donald Ian Rankin Nov 2014 #49

The problem with litmus tests is that everybody cares about different issues el_bryanto Nov 2014 #56

We have the DNC platform revised and updated at the national convention every 4 yrs but... CK_John Nov 2014 #57

good idea. dionysus Nov 2014 #59

The platform should be controlled by Democratic activists, not by "the pros". Ken Burch Nov 2014 #60