From the Comments Thread in today's Abbreviated Pundit Roundup.
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Ezra Klein's piece (cited in the Pundit Roundup) mentions it. It's a term that the Democrats (at least in any kind of consistent, coordinated, on-message way) have failed to raise and employ against GOP chicanery (on display in spades since January 20, 2009).
Honest intentions. Sincerity in bargaining. Honesty in fact. Motivations devoid of malice.
The Democratic / Congressional Democrats' / White House message needs to be clear on Health Care Reform, Employment Legislation, Climate Change (Cap and Trade) Law and Policy, Terrorism:
"No matter the situation, the GOP refuses to deal, negotiate, discuss or debate in Good Faith. When it wants to grow up, change that tune and begin doing so, we're ready to work with Republicans. Until then, fuck 'em."
Something along those lines.
Of course, by taking such a position Democrats (1) shift all blame for any delays or screw-ups in getting the work of the people done to the GOP; (2) put the GOP on the defensive; and, (3) beg the questions, "Give us examples of this 'Good Faith' you say is lacking", which, of course, opens the door to a laundry list of hypocrisies large and small (e.g., stimulus money, shifting GOP positions on cap and trade, trying terror suspects in civilian court, etc.), virtual bribery between the health insurance industry and Capitol Hill Republicans, etc.
Naturally, some -- too many -- Democrats wouldn't know how to function, would likely just shut down and stay in bed, if they weren't on the defensive, weren't cowering. Like the tragedy of battered-spouse syndrome, they only know one lifestyle and are comfortable in it, no matter all its pains and humiliations.
Godwin's Law notwithstanding, a prime example is [ Munich 1938]: Chamberlain (poor booby that he was) negotiated in Good Faith, Hitler did not.
One of the mistakes that military strategists, generals and national leaders have made for thousands of years, over and over and over again -- recent examples being the British in America during the Revolution and the Americans in Viet Nam in the 1960s-70s -- is assuming that their opponents think the same as such strategists/generals/leaders and have the same goals. Failing to understand what and how the other side thinks and functions, to get into the mind of one's opponent, goes as far or farther than a deficiency in arms or poor tactical position on the battlefield in being a harbinger of defeat when victory seemed so "obvious."
To that end the White House and Capitol Hill Democrats need to get into the minds of the GOP (making sure to shower thoroughly afterwards, in very hot water with pumice-laden soap), at least to this end:
Capitol Hill Republicans are sincere in one thing: in dealing with foreign rivals or adversaries they, the Republicans, only understand and advocate confrontation, belligerence and use of force. They believe that the only way to upend, triumph over, an opponent -- any opponent -- is through use of force. Blunt instruments wielded without mercy. And we know, through their own declarations and proclamations, that they see little, if any, difference in the Obama Administration and a Middle East suicide bomber. That's the GOP mentality and they're quite happy to tip their hands and let anyone know that that is where they are coming from. Therefore, neither the Obama Administration nor Capitol Hill Democrats can, or should, assume any Good Faith coming from the GOP in any negotiations, discussions or debates.
What to do with this "intel"? How to use it? Well, the first thing to do is not try to explain that neither the Administration nor Democrats should be likened to international foes. That's defensive. Was it Lakoff who said (I paraphrase), "Once you start 'explaining' you've lost the argument." Perhaps it was someone else. Anyway, explaining or trying to "turn around" the attitudes of GOP leaders is the reflexive Democratic reaction, and it's the wrong one. Rather, when an opponent only understands belligerence and confrontation, then that's what must be employed (and, of course, can be with a happy, mocking warrior attitude -- Franken is great at this). Not to just "shout-down" Republicans, but to put them on the defensive, to make them "explain" themselves, to make them scramble to justify their actions. As has been said many times here, the only thin a bully "gets" is a punch in the nose.
Well, Dems, roll up your sleeves. And as far as those polls go that say Americans want Congress to all just "get along", well, I guarantee that the best chances of "getting along" will come, in the medium and long run, from Democrats' pushing back.
"What can we do?" say the Democrats "When Republicans simply refuse to negotiate in Good Faith???"
Of course the answer is obvious: leave 'em in the dust (via reconciliation) jumping up and down trying to explain what a bunch of meanies the Dems are.
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UPDATE: h/t to RFK Lives in the Comments below: "[Obama] still thinks that he can encourage the GOP to alter its basic political DNA."
Sigh... Seems. Don't it?