Republicans and the Culture Wars: Why It Won't Work This Year

[SeattleGirl]

by Michelle Cottle at The Daily Beast

<snip>

Once upon a time, the GOP knew how to pick a compelling values issue, or at least demagogue one in a way that was guaranteed to make the Democrats look like a pack of sneering, godless Francophiles. Partial-birth abortion—now there was a winner. Ditto gun rights. And, man on man, did conservatives milk the gay-marriage issue for all it was worth, back when it was worth something.

But of late, the party seems to be losing its touch. Oh, sure, Republicans have enjoyed watching President Obama’s tussle with the Catholic Church over insurance coverage for contraception. Indeed, many party leaders rushed to pile on, tossing about phrases like “freedom of conscience” and “war on religion.”

<snip>

On pure piety points, no one can beat Rick. We’re talking here about a guy who has said he would use the presidential bully pulpit to warn of how contraception tempts even married couples to get busy in ways contrary to God’s will. This, of course, is part of the problem. Opposing abortion is one thing. Opposing contraception even among married folks doesn’t make Rick seem like a paragon of moral virtue so much as a refugee from the 16th century.

But it’s not just that the senator’s positions are out of touch with the mainstream electorate (a mere 8 percent of Americans think birth control is immoral; 84 percent of U.S. Catholics think you can use it and still be a good Catholic). It’s that the guy is simultaneously too pious and too pathetic.

<snip>

Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20...-year.html


I think the author might be right. Santorum and the rest of the members of the Clown Car are pissing people off far more than they are getting them on their side.

[DFW]

First you get down on your knees..........

[pappy]

Why won't it work?

One simple reason, "It's the economy, stupid."

[jaxx]

Good article SG. The nuts on display.

[NJMaverick]

the reason is President Obama. Since the President has ignored the pleas of the Pro Left and has not been rude, abusive or dismissive of any group of Americans, it's going to be hard to effectively paint the President as a radical or uncaring or not trying to be fair to all. Had the President allowed the Pro Left to pull his strings he would be quite vulnerable to the wedge issues. Once again the President has shown himself to be far smarted that the Pro Lefties who seem to think they know better.

[jaxx]

(02-19-2012 10:43 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  the reason is President Obama. Since the President has ignored the pleas of the Pro Left and has not been rude, abusive or dismissive of any group of Americans, it's going to be hard to effectively paint the President as a radical or uncaring or not trying to be fair to all. Had the President allowed the Pro Left to pull his strings he would be quite vulnerable to the wedge issues. Once again the President has shown himself to be far smarted that the Pro Lefties who seem to think they know better.

Well said. The President has represented all the people. Funny how he's despised by some for doing so.

[OptimistesMaddie]

(02-19-2012 10:46 AM)jaxx Wrote:  

(02-19-2012 10:43 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  the reason is President Obama. Since the President has ignored the pleas of the Pro Left and has not been rude, abusive or dismissive of any group of Americans, it's going to be hard to effectively paint the President as a radical or uncaring or not trying to be fair to all. Had the President allowed the Pro Left to pull his strings he would be quite vulnerable to the wedge issues. Once again the President has shown himself to be far smarted that the Pro Lefties who seem to think they know better.

Well said. The President has represented all the people. Funny how he's despised by some for doing so.

[Treestar]

(02-19-2012 10:43 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  the reason is President Obama. Since the President has ignored the pleas of the Pro Left and has not been rude, abusive or dismissive of any group of Americans, it's going to be hard to effectively paint the President as a radical or uncaring or not trying to be fair to all. Had the President allowed the Pro Left to pull his strings he would be quite vulnerable to the wedge issues. Once again the President has shown himself to be far smarted that the Pro Lefties who seem to think they know better.

Exactly.