This is my first dairy though I have been visiting this site the last couple of months. I'd honestly describe myself as a Carville type of partisan. We are both proud blue dog democrats. Though with me saying that make no mistake I have absolutely no respect for the republican party. How can anyone respect or be in a party thats openly divisive? Conservatism is a ideology not a party. The term conservative shouldn't be used as a negative as liberal or progressive shouldn't.
Listen what make the democratic party so great is that we're honestly a big tent party. We don't throw people under the bus because they're pro(add divisive topic) or anti(add divisive topic) anything. Thats my problem with this bipartisan debate. We're endlessly allowing the republicans to frame the debate on their terms. Being a blue dog I actually kind of agree with some of the moderate or conservative dems ideals. And sometimes its okay to compromise with both wings of our party to get a overall adjective done. But why isn't that considered bipartisanship? Because we allowed the media and the republicans to frame the debate in terms of parties instead ideology.
I wish democratic strategists would honestly and endlessly show and talk about the deep contrast in our parties. My problem is that we've horrible talking points. Stop allowing the republicans to totally co-op the conservative ideology, even if you don't agree with. To me its not about destroying the conservative ideology or pushing this country left or right, but destroying a extremely corrupt party who's politicians almost totally destroyed this country they claim to love so dearly.
Sometimes both wings of our party can allow their emotions to take over out of frustration. Stop allowing the republicans aka a regional party get under your skin. We need to see or look at things more methodically. We should wear the fact that we're a big tent party with a badge of honor. We should openly scream this at the top of our lungs and use it to put the final nail in the publicans. This is our most powerful weapon. And I don't think people are using it or are taking it for grated.
And please if you're trying to convert moderate or conservative republican friends, relatives, etc.....please don't start with dissing their party or bashing Bush, even though thats probably how you truly feel. Trust me you aren't alone. But start by talking discussing some of the things you have in common or some of the republican politicians you have respect for. Example everyone are anti-crime regardless if its white collar or whatever. Everyone mostly agree that Teddy Roosevelt and Eisenhower were great public servants. But they need to understand that those days are over, and will never happen again. Never mention the "R" word. And I'm pleading don't come across as hostile or cynical. Its basic psychology, hostility is always met with hostility. It cuts off the reasonable thinking.
My Talking Points
* Its nothing wrong with being a conservative. I respect every conservative thats in the democratic party, wish we had more. Why don't the republicans respect every moderate in theirs?
* Listen what make the democratic party so great is that we're truly a big tent party.
* Conservatism is a ideology not a party
* I proudly wear the fact that we're a big tent party with a badge of honor.
* Bipartisanship is giving into or debating with one ideology or another. Not giving into a political party who openly have their own personal objectives and agendas. ^^Important!!!
* Democrats are by nature bipartisan. Its the nature and the base of our party. Republican politicians are the ones that lack people of different ideologies in which to debate ideals.
* How can republican politicians call for bipartisanship, when they openly attack moderates in their own party. Its a shame. Collins, Snowe, and Specter are great public servants.
* Why are republican politicians so against people who happen to believe in pro-choice? Its plenty of democrats who are proudly pro-grun.
* Reagan and George H.W. Bush both raised taxes. So what are we talking about here?
Also make sure you differ from republican citizens or voters vs. republican politicians. Here's a little fun you can have.
A Little Fun
* Call them republican politicians or washington republicans.
* Call them the Grand Oooold Party.
* Never use or refer to them as the "republican party" or "GOP".
* I wish they had the same dignity as the voters that voted for them.
Please let me know of things I should add.