My conversations with our conservatives and Republicans over the last few days are encouraging...actually I'm jazzed.
It seems that many of the GOP followers I've been talking to aren't all that happy with their GOP choices in Florida this November. In fact several told me they have no intention of voting at all. Yep, they want to stay home and not vote at all.
Curious, the news isn't reporting that nugget.
The "enthusiasm gap" is all over the news and it's usually focused on Democrats, but I'm finding it among the RINO's. They aren't all that enthusiastic either. The alleged enthusiasm gap is overstated. It seems that there is an angry 23%-28% of voters that won't vote for Democratic candidates, but we would never get those votes anyway. It's the moderate Republican voter that isn't all that happy with right wing extremists.
It seems that there's going to be a lot of nose holding in the voting booths this election. That's an opportunity for progressives. After all, if you are going to "hold your nose" while voting; it might as well be for a progressive candidate. ...at least, that's the way I see it. The thing that's helping me with these calls and discussions is keeping facts close at hand. Pictures and charts do a better job at reminding me what to say than long quotes that are distracting to read while I'm trying to talk. Maybe some of these will help you.
Where are the Jobs, Jobs, Jobs?
Well at least we stopped the bleeding.
Admittedly, this graphic needs updating and maybe if I take the time I can get the data from here to do it.
ahhh, thank you bumblebums
...and Ezra Klein adds his 2 cents concerning jobs and the stimulus.
Even a conservative, Ronald Brownstein has something nice to say about Obama's jobs record (although it nearly kills him to admit it):
The real point of looking again at Bush's record is to underscore how few jobs the economy was creating even before the 2008 collapse. Bush's tally of 1 million jobs was much less than the economy had generated during any other two-term stretch since World War II: Dwight Eisenhower produced nearly 4 million, John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson (together) almost 16 million, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford (together) 11 million, Ronald Reagan 16 million, and Bill Clinton more than 22 million.
It's Still the Economy, Stupid
The economy is limping along, growing at a glacial pace. Consumer spending is not what it was. An impatient America is demanding improvement. Lost in the analysis is that big business isn't hiring, they are buying back stock and hoarding cash and bail out funds. My 401-k has largely recovered and is gaining ground, but I guess no one is noticing the stock market....
Taxes
Ezra Klein is truly a gem. He's got the coolest charts.... even a cavema.. nevermind, see for yourself
A picture is still worth 1,000 words.
Health Care
Ok, so health care reform isn't done yet, but at least we started on it. There isn't a convenient chart for health care, so I made one from the information found here and I suspect Kaiser got their information from the CDC (starting on page 416). This graphic reminds me that a significant portion of the the 79.8% of Americans with health insurance don't give a rat's tuckus about the 20.2% who don't.
The problem with all the talk about repealing health care reform is that a good amount of the bill hasn't taken effect yet, so what are they talking about repealing? We want insurers to be able to retroactively cancel policies? We want pre-existing condition exlusions to continue? Seniors want the hole back in the donut?
Climate Change
The GOP is unique among world wide conservatives in their absolute denial of climate change. Brownstein, again is the lone conservative voice expressing concerns that no one in the GOP hears or acknowledges:
Just for the record, when the nonpartisan National Academy of Sciences last reviewed the data this spring, it concluded: "A strong, credible body of scientific evidence shows that climate change is occurring, is caused largely by human activities, and poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems." Not only William Hague but such other prominent European conservatives as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have embraced that widespread scientific conviction and supported vigorous action.
Unfortunately, the GOP didn't get the world wide memo that conservatives can and do recognize the dangers of climate change.
Afghanistan
These expensive wars in terms of lives lost, maimed and disrupted is more than the American people signed up for. With the neo-cons out of the driver's seat, more conservatives are seeing these wars as a mistake. The price tag for the war is more than the American people are in the mood to pay. The current price tag is something like $200 billion per year (probably more). This campaign issue of ending the war has more credibility coming from progressive candidates - despite Obama's surge.
Immigration Reform
Is not good issue for anyone. The problem is huge. The US has 20,000 miles of borders (most of it is shoreline). It's impractical to think more patrol officers and more frequent patrols is going to solve the problem. I usually point out that the money we spend on war prevents us from "securing our borders", but there's got to be a better point. I'd appreciate any help anyone could give me on this issue, because it is a weak point for me as I'm not xenophobic.
Credibility
The Democratic Party for some reason is having trouble with credibility this election (heh). It might be from all the capitulation and deal making in a vain attempt to garner Republican votes on key legislation. It might be from all the concern trolling done in the media. It's just that the credibility question should cut both ways. Will a Republican majority defund the wars? What will they cut? We know they won't increase taxes, so what are the exact, specific programs they plan to cut? Are they planning on tinkering with Social Security to create a surplus, so they can continue to steal it?
Enthusiasm Gap
Why would anyone give up their right to vote this election? As an activist, that idea is hard to relate to, but it's an attractive idea to voters who don't particularly like either party. The only people excited about voting are the angry people. The moderates? Not so much. The current projections of a Republican landslide are overstated. Getting out the vote for progressive candidates is crucial. Despite the media constantly reporting otherwise and if my conversations with moderate Republicans are any indication; our canvassing work is worth every call and conversation.
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UPDATE: Whoa! I swear, I just left this a few minutes ago, but it turns out it's been an hour. Thanks for the recs. I hope this helps.