Turkana, it seems to me that Taxes is always a very important issue for GOPers. Sure, they use the highways, get Medicare and Social Security, love the Military, and utilize all kinds of Government run and tax supported programs....but always hate the idea of being taxed. Democrats seem fine with paying for all these programs, programs that all Americans take advantage of. Why do you think they don't understand the reason for taxes?
And on the economy, I'm thinking it stinks for both regular Dem Americans the same as regular GOP Americans. But the Republicans overwhelming "worry" and "dissatisfaction" with the Economy and what Obama is doing for it is probably rooted in the general desire to brand any and everything he does as a disaster (like we did with Bush). In other words, even if their own economic lives are getting better, they'll say it's not.
Posted by T2 at November 6, 2009 09:24 AMt2,
the goopers always play on taxes, but that wasn't a significant part of the electorate. the economy has everyone worried, and with good reason. and if the dems can't motivate the base, they're in trouble. playing centrist games doesn't motivate the base.
Posted by Turkana at November 6, 2009 09:34 AMfrom what I've heard, the "base" that needs motivation is 21-29 years old voters who saw Obama as some kind of magician and voted in quantities not seen before, and the Black voters, who voted in record numbers but traditionally do not vote in great numbers. I'm not sure how much those two "base" blocks see the whole "centrist vs. progressive" Democratic factional dispute as a factor in their everyday lives.
Posted by T2 at November 6, 2009 09:58 AMAs a voter I know that Republicans are big talkers but inept in running the country. I also know that Dems are not good in getting things done even if they have majority. The Healthcare bill fiasco would not have happened if Repubs were doing it. They would all fall in line and get it done. However, their bill would be more for Insurance companies rather than helping average american. The Dems under false notion of Bi-Partisanship, have water down this bill so much that even if passes, it is not worth much anyway.
I also blameb Obama for not putting his foot down saying he will not sign a bill unless it contained a Public Option. Bush would have done that if the shoe was on the other foot.
Posted by suresh at November 6, 2009 11:00 AMt2,
they understand that the economy isn't working, and they understand if they can't afford health care.
Posted by Turkana at November 6, 2009 01:57 PMThe poll question that is largely ignored is the one one all of the polls that asks about prioroties. Health care consistently comes in about fourth; behind the economy, wars overseas, and climate change. But all that Congress is dealing with, and the only thing that the media is foaming at the mouth about is that which is fourth on the public's list of concertns.
Posted by Bill H at November 7, 2009 06:38 AM