I agree with most posters that the Dems did a poor job of educating the public (by beating them over the head with facts) about all the legislation passed during the 111th Congress. However, our own arrogance ruined us as much as anything else. While the Tea Party Republicans were revving up, we were dismissing them and laughing at them. Yes, their antics were funny; however, it was a building threat to our movement. In the end, they were more pumped up and primed to go than we were.
So how can we deal with this? Yes, we need to get pumped up. However, we also need to knock down their group-esteem. In 2012, we need for their supporters to be as disillusioned as our base was this year. How can we do that? We need victories.
Specifically, we need to put them in places where they will be forced to abandon their principles. We need to pick up our wedge issues and use them to chop them in half. Here are a few ideas...
1 Team up with the pro-business wing of the GOP to pass immigration reform. The legislation produced will not be perfect. It will not be what we really want. However, the GOP base is terrified of "scary brown people." The mere specter of immigration reform passing with any GOP support was a huge burden for the GOP to carry in 2006 and 2008. Actually passing a bill could break them. Moreover, progress on this front (including passing the Dream Act) will re-energize Hispanics to turn out and vote.
2 Force the House GOPpers to cut spending programs that are popular within the GOP base. The GOP does like increased spending but only on stuff they like spending money on. Obama should accept an overall reduction on Federal spending. However, we should target defense spending, corporate welfare, "faith-based initiatives," and earmarks for GOP districts. If the GOP doesn’t like our terms, let them shut down the government.
3 Highlight deficit hypocrisy. Each vote they cast for increasing the debt ceiling should be emblazoned in the minds of GOP voters. Every earmark they append to the budget must reverberate through the media echo chamber. Every increased fee and hidden tax must be harped upon. If they try to force employees to pay for health benefits with post-tax dollars, call it what it is: a tax increase! If they don’t cave in and insist that their way is the only way, let them shut down the government.
4 Exploit unforced errors. Although we won’t have Sharron Angle and Christine O’Donnell to kick around, Rand Paul’s libertarian bent will still be abrasive to the true GOP base. Hope for another Aqua Buddha. Make the Tea GOPpers cry.
5 Stick the teabaggers with the GOP label. Even the tea base doesn’t like the GOP right now. The tea party schick worked well because it disconnected conservatism from the electoral failures of George Bush. Now, we want to make GOPpers to think that the freshman class that they just elected really are nothing more than the same old GOP politicians who say that they are going to do something about <key GOP issue> and then don’t deliver on their promises. They are nothing but "Red Dog Republicans" that are entitled to your vote because they are the lesser of two evils.
We also need to create disillusionment by creating a sense of impending doom for the 2012 elections. The fear of losing creates negative energy that drains enthusiasm. Lack of enthusiasm leads to the loss of more ground and completes a vicious cycle. Independents are the key. As the states in the Midwest who just elected GOP governors continue to decline, compare their failures to the success enjoyed in blue states like CA and NY. Jealously will bred anger and backlash. Let the media echo chamber do the rest. FOX lies and distortions can only work so much black magic. Conservatives will take notice.
I’m sure you can brainstorm some other ideas. Feel free to do so in the space below.