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[entremet]

I'm a registered Democrat, but I've voted for Republicans in elections previous, mostly moderate local politicians.

But it seems that even after their defeats, they continue to dig into even more radical stances.

For example. Gay marriage, abortion, immigration reform, etc. They all are operating in total contrast with national sentiments on these subjects. It seems that are content being the party of No. Let's not forget all the votes, which were basically for nothing to repeal Obamacare.

Unfortunately, although I thought MItt was a bad candidate, even he had to pander to the far right to even win the primary. It just seems that instead of being a balancing party against the Democrats, they want to continue moving rightward, when demographic trends and issues are moving another direction.

Moderates have no voice are castigated as RINOs and the executive branch seems a lock for the Democrats if they continue to prop up these far right candidates.

Are the Republicans content with just being the party of No. Even though Congressional approval ratings are very low, it doesn't seem to hurt them, especially in the House.

Thoughts?

 

[SnakeXs]

They're playing the very long game.

The more they go batshit right wing and paint Democrats as pinko commies socialist nazis, the more the national scale follows them. They lose elections but shift the entire spectrum slowly to the right.

Genius.

Also, old white males.

 

[zero_suit]

If the GOP continues on this path, they'll become nothing more than a regional party.

 

[Yoritomo]

They want the religious vote.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Self Interest.

The way the political system works and with political polarization and the collapse of the grand consensus after the cold war it pays electorally to distance yourself from your opponent as much as possible and with the democratic party not very "left" in international terms (at least economically) the only place to go is right.

 

[T'Zariah]

Republicans hate Democrats and President Obama more than they love America.

 

[teruterubozu]

Modern Republicans don't either, so don't try too hard.

 

[Escape Goat]

I'd be really concerned if the GOP had charm and used facts to sway opinion. They're incredibly ruthless and know how to play the game of politics. They have strong personalities (none in the party, unfortunately) but they can't get out of their own way. I'd be really afraid if they managed to do any of the things they mentioned in their 2012 post mortem report.

 

[Imm0rt4l]

this quote came to mind. The right is very uncompromising and dogmatic.

 

[richiek]

They're playing the very long game.

The more they go batshit right wing and paint Democrats as pinko commies socialist nazis, the more the national scale follows them. They lose elections but shift the entire spectrum slowly to the right.

Genius.

Also, old white males.

Actually, it's the opposite. They're getting short term gains thanks to gerrymandering, but as their base dies off and this country turns browner, they are going to be royally fucked.

 

[Omegasquash]

The Republican Party doesn't understand the Republican Party either, OP.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

this quote came to mind. The right is very uncompromising and dogmatic.

So was the left in the 70s and 80s. It doomed them in the presidency for a while. Its funny because like the GOP they still had a lot of success in the house


Also something people need to remember in US politics people don't always vote, land votes.

 

[kirblar]

I'm a registered Democrat, but I've voted for Republicans in elections previous, mostly moderate local politicians.

But it seems that even after their defeats, they continue to dig into even more radical stances.

For example. Gay marriage, abortion, immigration reform, etc. They all are operating in total contrast with national sentiments on these subjects. It seems that are content being the party of No. Let's not forget all the votes, which were basically for nothing to repeal Obamacare.

Unfortunately, although I thought MItt was a bad candidate, even he had to pander to the far right to even win the primary. It just seems that instead of being a balancing party against the Democrats, they want to continue moving rightward, when demographic trends and issues are moving another direction.

Moderates have no voice are castigated as RINOs and the executive branch seems a lock for the Democrats if they continue to prop up these far right candidates.

Are the Republicans content with just being the party of No. Even though Congressional approval ratings are very low, it doesn't seem to hurt them, especially in the House.

Thoughts?

They'll only change once their strategy completely breaks. They have to go into the wilderness until they starve. The 70/80's democratic party is the perfect example.

 

[ComputerMKII]

But it seems that even after their defeats, they continue to dig into even more radical stances

If the Republicans started imitating the Democrats, why would anyone vote Republican? Might as well vote Democrat.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

this quote came to mind. The right is very uncompromising and dogmatic.

Goldwater talking about frightening people is too rich.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

If the Republicans started imitating the Democrats, why would anyone vote Republican? Might as well vote Democrat.

People forget that US parties do not have the discipline of European parties. They're is a lot of latitude for individual members. There used to be "liberal republicans" that were further left than some conservative democrats up until the early 2000s. There are cultural and geographic reasons why one would. People don't vote for parties here, they vote for candidates.

The biggest difference is that we're turning into a kind of parliamentary system in regards to legislative voting but our system was never designed for that, hence gridlock

 

[electricpirate]

Because we have a poorly designed political system that rewards extrememe partisanship.

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

Why would they change when they have a good chance of re-taking the Senate in 2014 and holding onto the House?

 

[Mononoke]

The modern day republican party is a joke. They aren't real conservatives, so they offer nothing except social conservative values that no one wants. We can all debate and disagree all day about small government vs. big government argument. I know most people on this site are going to be for a larger active government.

But my point is, if the Republicans were actually real conservatives (and this means not telling people how to behave, or mandating their behaviors), then there would actually be a real choice and opposition. The system would actually work, as you could vote one party out when you want certain things (that the other party won't budge on), then vote another party in when it's time to change. But the problem is, both parties are fuckin awful right now, and the Republican party is just infinitely worse. So the option is pretty damn clear and there is no real choice or opposition.

OP if the Republican party was smart, they would go the more libertarian route, as it's more closer to true conservatism, and actually offers a much starker change. Them doubling down on what they are doing now is pure insanity, and will only insure more losses. But that won't happen, because members of the party are too concerned about keeping their own jobs and representing their constituents and backers. OP I think that is the answer to your question. The people that make up the party are looking out for their own interests, and that's why you aren't seeing them moving away from that.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

Because we have a poorly designed political system that rewards extrememe partisanship.

It works very well at promoting consensus when we don't have money and primary fights. That's whats killing us.

Why would they change when they have a good chance of re-taking the Senate in 2014 and holding onto the House?

Because they'd lose the senate in 2016 and lose the house by 2020 and instill instinctual democratic voting habits in millions of youth that will reverberate for the next half century. That's not to say they're doomed forever but it will give democrats a natural advantage

 

[Mashing]

Abolish all parties if you ask me.

 

[NinjaFridge]

Why do people say 'I'm a registered republican/democrat'? Do you need to register with your party to vote in the US? Can't you just register to vote without signing up for a party?

 

[Mononoke]

Why do people say 'I'm a registered republican/democrat'? Do you need to register with your party to vote in the US? Can't you just register to vote without signing up for a party?

In most states, you need to be registered to a party in order to vote in that specific party's primaries. But on the federal voting level (once it be comes the official election), you don't have to be registered to any party, and can vote for whoever you want. In America though, people treat parties like they do religion. It becomes about identity, and they identify with a party and their values. Often, people are indoctrinated by their family members to believe a certain party is right, and people don't budge from that as they grow up.

 

[Escape Goat]

Why do people say 'I'm a registered republican/democrat'? Do you need to register with your party to vote in the US? Can't you just register to vote without signing up for a party?

You dont have to belong to any party. registering just helps with whatever party you're aligned with to know how many of you there are in a region and how to direct campaign efforts.

 

[NathanMcMahon]

a senile group of ever escalating worthless cunts is how I understand them to be.

 

[Soler]

I don't understand either side of the spectrum tbh
Both equally terrifying
Edit: why do people shoehorn themselves into a political party? I have different beliefs that would conflict with either side so it'd be pretty weird for me to identify myself as either
Also makes it look bad on politicians when they flip flop to fit their party

 

[neojubei]

They want the religious vote.

Pretty much this.

 

[Escape Goat]

I don't understand either side of the spectrum tbh
Both equally terrifying

How do the democrats scare you?

 

[Bulbo Urethral Baggins]

Because they'd lose the senate in 2016 and lose the house by 2020 and instill instinctual democratic voting habits in millions of youth that will reverberate for the next half century. That's not to say they're doomed forever but it will give democrats a natural advantage

I only have general observations to go by, but I think you're ignoring the instinctual libertarian vibe that seems to be growing among the youth. The Democrat voting habits are more of an institutionalized thing. Brainwashing by teachers, etc.

 

[Mononoke]

How do the democrats scare you?

Their view on foreign policy for one.

 

[teruterubozu]

I only have general observations to go by, but I think you're ignoring the instinctual libertarian vibe that seems to be growing among the youth. The Democrat voting habits are more of an institutionalized thing. Brainwashing by teachers, etc.

Instinct versus learned behavior... I see.

 

[anarckitty]

OP if the Republican party was smart, they would go the more libertarian route, as it's more closer to true conservatism, and actually offers a much starker change. Them doubling down on what they are doing now is pure insanity, and will only insure more losses.

I would welcome them with arms wide open.

I wish I had some of those magic space pants from the music video. I want to float in mid air with my arms wide open....

They want the religious vote.

I can get behind this too.

 

[Escape Goat]

Their view on foreign policy for one.

Not enough wars?

 

[Mononoke]

Not enough wars?

Yes, because clearly I want more wars.

 

[entremet]

I only have general observations to go by, but I think you're ignoring the instinctual libertarian vibe that seems to be growing among the youth. The Democrat voting habits are more of an institutionalized thing. Brainwashing by teachers, etc.

The current GOP is far from Libertarian though, especially with social issues.

 

[Matt]

They're playing the very long game.

The more they go batshit right wing and paint Democrats as pinko commies socialist nazis, the more the national scale follows them. They lose elections but shift the entire spectrum slowly to the right.

Genius.

Also, old white males.

That's literally the exact opposite of what they are doing.

 

[Mononoke]

I would welcome them with arms wide open.

I wish I had some of those magic space pants from the music video. I want to float in mid air with my arms wide open....

Even if one absolutely vehemently disagreed with Libertarian principle (believe me, there are things I don't agree with on their philosophy) - it's an actual change, a real opposition. I believe that we need clear choices, the same way the market needs competition. If you have a party that actually challenges another party, it's more likely to make the other party work harder to re-consider certain positions that they once would not budge on.

The current GOP is far from Libertarian though, especially with social issues.

Where did he say the current GOP is Libertarian?

 

[Brinbe]

With the way they've gerrymandered their way into establishing control of the House, they're perfectly willing to keep this up for the next few cycles. Doesn't do anything for them nationally and keeps them extremely polarized, but I guess they're content with that.

Just gotta wait for that demographic bomb to hit them hard. It's coming, just gotta wait a few decades.

 

[Matugi]

Not enough wars?

Not enough Israeli circle-jerking

 

[NathanMcMahon]

Not enough wars?

The one on Christmas wasn't good enough.

 

[Escape Goat]

Yes, because clearly I want more wars.

I'm trying to understand here but you're being intentionally evasive. But in an effort not to to derail the thread i'll just stop here.

 

[SnakeXs]

That's literally the exact opposite of what they are doing.

I called Republicans genius and people thought I was serious?

 

[Savitar]

Basically the Republican party is willing to burn down everything to rule over the ashes. As long as they are in charge of the ashes. And it'll be someones fault of course too.

 

[Tex117]

OP if the Republican party was smart, they would go the more libertarian route, as it's more closer to true conservatism, and actually offers a much starker change. Them doubling down on what they are doing now is pure insanity, and will only insure more losses. But that won't happen, because members of the party are too concerned about keeping their own jobs and representing their constituents and backers. OP I think that is the answer to your question. The people that make up the party are looking out for their own interests, and that's why you aren't seeing them moving away from that.

Pretty much this.

 

[ronito]

I used to be staunch republican. But now definitely not.
I'd like to vote republican again. But we need more Eisenhower and less Reagan/Palin.
Hell, even Reagan wouldn't get elected in the GOP nowadays.
I would've voted for Huntsman in the last election if the GOP would've let me.

 

[oneils]

They're playing the very long game.

The more they go batshit right wing and paint Democrats as pinko commies socialist nazis, the more the national scale follows them. They lose elections but shift the entire spectrum slowly to the right.

Genius.

Also, old white males.

Jesus. Are they really this cynical? That would be some hardcore strategery. Set the stage so that winning elections is not even necessary. Yowza.

 

[Mononoke]

I'm trying to understand here but you're being intentionally evasive. But in an effort to to derail the thread i'll just stop here.

I'm not being evasive at all. Both parties have pretty much supported the same Foreign Policy for the past 30 years, and sadly, American's are never willing to have an actual debate on it. Problem is, our Foreign policy is absolutely one of the most important things, and heavily impacts us all.

If you don't agree, go listen to Hillary Clinton and her views on the Middle East.

 

[Soler]

How do the democrats scare you?

Terrible economic plans and they do the same thing the republicans do when they're wrong, deny and try to change the facts
Edit: and all this ban junk food stuff Michelle is pushing is ridiculous

 

[BLACKLAC]

Basically the Republican party is willing to burn down everything to rule over the ashes. As long as they are in charge of the ashes. And it'll be someones fault of course too.

Pretty much.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

I only have general observations to go by, but I think you're ignoring the instinctual libertarian vibe that seems to be growing among the youth. The Democrat voting habits are more of an institutionalized thing. Brainwashing by teachers, etc.

There is lip service being paid to libertarianism but its mostly social. People talk about libertarian populism but I've seen no evidence its breaking through lower income and the youth based on voting patterns. There's no evidence for it besides anecdotes.

And yes democratic voting habits are institutionalized, I disagree that its brainwashing, but that's how politics usually works you become habituated in certain political beliefs. People don't radically change as they get older.