What is hurting the Dems/Liberal image the most (poll)?

[Dawgs]

Poll question: What is hurting the Dems/Liberal image the most (poll)?

What issue, or right-wing lie, is hurting the Democrats the most?

Everything you see in quotes represent lies by the right wing... in my opinion.

[ck4829]

1. "Just say No to Bush" - That should have been our strategy from Day 1.

[TalkingDog]

2. Lack of a clear and simple platform.

In case you hadn't noticed, at least 51% of the people need things clear and very simple. CLEAR AND SIMPLE.

[durablend]

7. And in case YOU haven't noticed

At least HALF of those 51% would vote for the town's serial rapist before they'd vote for anyone with a (D) next to his/her name, no matter WHAT the platform were.

[skipos]

15. We don't need HALF of those 51% to win elections

I agree with needing a clear, simple message but I'd add that it needs to be spoken in way that can connect with democrats and some non-democrats alike, and spoken by someone who connects with democrats and some non-democrats alike.

We aren't losing by much. All it takes is swinging a few votes. That's one of the reasons I think Democrats do NOT need to shift to the center, they just need to have the message and the messenger that can connect with some people in the center. (In my opinion, democratic presidential candidates who are snowboarding, windsurfing, millionaire senators from New England are probably not going to connect with many people as we need.

[boston bean]

3. I say other. My reason

is that democrats have so many issues and everyone is out to defend and promote their own issues that we do not have a voice or message.

[Dawgs]

4. No room for MEDIA... I'm sure it would have gotten a few votes...

;)

[EvolveOrConvolve]

23. I voted Other for that reason

The MSM and conservative hate radio bombard the populace with negative images of liberals and dems, so we start from a very difficult position. And since Americans have been dumbed down to the point where many won't take the time to learn and understand the issues, Republicans can win with wedge issues like abortion and gay hate.

Kerry lost because of that (in addition to the voting "discrepancies"). John Kerry had much better ideas about solving problems facing the country, but dubya could answer a question with a 3 second sound bite. Even if dickbreath's answer was complete shit, people listened to it because it didn't take long to mentally process.

The media also crowed about dubya's "simplistic and effective" leadership and dubbed Kerry an intellectual snob. And, unfortunately, Americans ate it up; they really want a leader as stupid as them.

[cassiepriam]

5. The repug slime machine. Their propaganda works perfectly.

[MemphisTiger]

6. Several things, but if you ask a republican the biggest thing is...

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson types. Most right-wingers in my area will claim these guys are screwing up our party the most. Maybe cried wolf to many times. Remember I live in the south. I THINK it's weak dem leadership.

[Laelth]

8. Other

The 50-year-old right wing echo chamber is the principal culprit. Most Americans agree with liberal policies and want liberal government. Yet, very few Americans want to associate themselves with the word "liberal." Why? Only one reasonable answer ... echo chamber.

-Laelth

[Mend]

9. we need to be strongly against this war....eom

[leesa]

10. They HAVE to speak the truth. They MUST state that the war was illegal

and immoral.

[Zynx]

11. Weak leadership reinforces the whole "limp-wristed liberal" argument.

[eallen]

12. Need the choice: "those who want to destroy capitalism"

That position is a non-starter. The majority of Americans support abortion, at least in the early months of pregnancy. The Iraq war is a temporary issue. But I would love to see the Democratic Party disclaim some of the more ideological and extreme positions of the left, just as the conservatives have, for the most part, disclaimed the John Birch society and the KKK. Just my opinion. I know some here will hate it.

:hippie:

[Lilith Velkor]

20. "big government, tax raising, welfare lovers" is your choice

It amounts to the same thing. I don't know of anyone associated with the Democratic Party who advocates destroying capitalism. Of whom do you speak? (I'm a socialist but I'd be happy with a New Deal v2.0, myself. Like the first, it would be designed to contain the destructive excesses of capitalism without abolishing it entirely.)

[eallen]

24. There are some here. I'm like you...

The terminology is odd. I tend to use "social democrat" for those who believe in capitalism with various social programs, and "socialist" for those who want to abolish capitalism and replace it with... well, that always gets kind of interesting.

:hippie:

[reprehensor]

13. The DLC perpetuating and promoting Right Wing dogma.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5012529

[Tommy_J]

14. Very interesting and revealing poll

[emulatorloo]

16. Fox News, Limbaugh, and scared corporate media. . .EOM

[LSdemocrat]

17. Other: corporate media and the Republican Noise Machine

[warrens]

18. Constant disinformation

Unfortunately, our ideology appeals to mankind's better nature; the Rethugs appeal to the dark side of greed and bigotry.

[rniel]

19. Scapegoating - very well executed for the last 20 years

Everything bad in your life is due to the liberal elite (whatever that is) it's coming and it will destroy your lives. Doesn't matter that conservatives are in control of all 3 branches of government, the press and all corporations are on their side. The liberal elite still is in control and ruining everything in your lives.

[MemphisTiger]

22. It always amuses me when republicans talk about

liberal elite, like they are the working mans party.

[mshasta]

21. speak up america!!!!!!!

and yes that goes for me too....I don't want to be bather and fight with my rebuke neighbor...just because I hate confrontations? Or because I don’t have the guts to do it?