MyDD :: Republicans Love It: The Money Line For Democrats in 2006

Republicans Love It: The Money Line For Democrats in 2006

by Chris Bowers, Fri Jul 01, 2005 at 11:00:55 AM EST

In the latest Democracy Corps poll, starting on page ten there are fourteen questions based on the following premise:

Q.50 Now, I am going to read you what some people say are some differences between Democrats and Republicans. For each, please tell me if it is a difference that makes you MUCH MORE LIKELY to vote for a Democratic candidate, a difference that makes you SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY to vote for a Democratic candidate, a difference that DOESN'T MAKE YOU ANY MORE LIKELY to vote for a Democratic candidate, or is it NOT A REAL DIFFERENCE between Democrats and Republicans.

One statement stood out as the money quote, polling significantly higher than the others:

59 (SPLIT B) The Republicans think this is the best economy in our lifetime. The Democrats say we need to make our economy work for everyone, not just the few.

Forty-four percent of those polled said that this statement made them much more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate, and eighteen percent said it made them somewhat more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate. None of the other statements even reached 40 in the "much more likely" column. None of the other statements reached sixty in the combined "much more likely" and "somewhat more likely" columns.

I think there are three reasons why this statement resonates so well: First, because they control the trifecta in Washington, Republicans are consistently forced to claim that things are moving in the right direction. Second, polling data consistently shows that Republicans actually believe that the country is moving in the right direction. Combine the first and second reasons, and people really believe that Republicans think things are moving in the right direction. This statement resonates as true to people's personal take on the country.

The third reason why this statement works well is because it articulates a positive Democratic frame instead of a tired political cliché. Rather than simply stating "Republicans are for more of the same in Washington. Democrats are for change," or "Republicans have polarized and divided the country. Democrats will unite it," which were the two lowest resonating questions of the bunch, question 59 actually articulates the cornerstones of progressivism: we can do better. We can make this work for everyone.

I have suggested this before, but now I am glad to see that there is actually evidence to back it up. We can make gains in 2006 by pointing out a simple truth: Republicans think things are great in Iraq. Democrats know that isn't true. Republicans think the economy is great. Demcorats know that isn't true. Republicans believe that the direction of this country has never been better. Democrats know that isn't true. Demcorats will make an economy that works for everyone. Demcorats will make a more accountable Iraq, with a real timetable to end the war. Democrats know the future can be better, while Repbulicans think everything is fine as it is.

Tags: Democrats (all tags)

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"We can do better" (none / 0)

Reminded of this line from John Kerry's DNC address.

We're told that outsourcing jobs is good for America. We're told that new jobs that pay $9,000 less than the jobs that have been lost is the best we can do. They say this is the best economy we've ever had. And they say that anyone who thinks otherwise is a pessimist. Well, here is our answer: There is nothing more pessimistic than saying America can't do better.

We can do better and we will. We're the optimists. For us, this is a country of the future.

He should have said that more. I think it would be good for 2006.

by jj32 on Fri Jul 01, 2005 at 11:57:49 AM EST

#s 59 61-64 73 83 (none / 0)

"Republicans think this is the best economy of our lifetime..." they do? That is unbelievable. Commodity prices rising, interest rates rising, stock prices down, increased competition from overseas, record deficits and a weak dollar. Republicans I know are just glad that Keynesian economics is working! They fear that the house of cards could come down upon them. I wonder what the percentages would be if the question was "The Republicans think the economy is doing OK...

When the words "maistream" and "middle class" were used, the numbers for the Dems were higher. which leads me to
Gay marriage and anything "gay" related is a big loser for the democrats. Would dropping the gay agenda endear enough mainstream Americans to compensate for the loss of gay money and votes? Those are numbers I would like to see. Promt: "After years of trying to include gays into a winning coalition, Democrats have officially kicked them to the curb..." are you more likely, somewhat more likely, somewhat less likely, or not at all likely to vote democrat in the next election?
This is critical to comprehend: most people are not self identifying liberals (only 17%). Most people are moderates (41%), and there is a sizable chunk of "conservatives" (39%) whatever that may mean to people. So winning a debate or a poll at MYDD etc. means nothing at best; at worst it steers you in the wrong direction strategically. Only a conservative or a moderate can win the Presidency. Many moderates are tired of losing to conservatives, especially considering that they are the majority. Why do they lose? Because liberals have excessive sway in the democratic party compared to their numbers in the electorate. When their sway matches their numbers, then maybe America will get back on track once again.

So you can try and "grow liberalism" under a conservative governemnt or you can try and "grow liberalism" under a moderate government. That is the real choice.

by Paul Goodman on Mon Jul 04, 2005 at 05:04:07 PM EST

Re: #s 59 61-64 73 83 (none / 0)

re: 73

why don't democrats run with the mccain-ish "screw the religious right, i'm doing my own thing" attitude? i know as a republican he's in a better position to say that (and nearly did in 2000), but by trying to get those private values folks, the dems always lose. they should stress keeping the religion in church when it's a social (private) value, but keeping values religiously informed when it's an economic (public, common-good-ish) value. the first appeals to independents, the second appeals to liberals (and the jim wallis types). the first is disliked only by the small (albeit politically active) religious folks, the second is disliked by the nordquist-types who the dems never go after (at least in theory) anyway.

so, a sampling: "while my opponent is obsessed with gay marriage, i want local churchs to decide the issue, while ensuring that everyone has equal -- but not special -- rights." why wouldn't that work? i say you grow liberalism by using "independent" type rhetoric (McCain) to get to a liberal ends.

elsewhere, this "independent" rhetoric could be used in saying that the UN is a great way to ATTACK the terrorists by having eyes all around the world. Liberals could get behind that because it would be a last resort, moderate Snowcroft independents could too because it's not peacenik-y. A slogan could imply that Republicans like their dogma while Dems like solutions. this would stress our independence from politics -- and its corruption -- by emphasizing how dems want answers, statistics, information, etc to find the best solutions out there.

just a thought.

by jessev on Mon Oct 24, 2005 at 11:40:41 PM EST
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