Democrats’ 2010 midterm strategy: Attack relentlessly and win ugly
posted at 10:22 pm on October 12, 2009 by Allahpundit
That’s what the “experts” are telling them, anyway. I don’t know, though. It’s so … unlike them.
Do Nancy “Un-American” Pelosi and Harry “Evil-mongers” Reid really have it in them to go bareknuckle?
“Very often the instinct for an incumbent party is to defend and justify,” said Geoff Garin, a pollster for Democratic candidates. “But in this kind of environment, the best defense is a good offense. This needs to be a cycle where Republican vulnerabilities are a central part of the debate.”
Charlie Cook, the nonpartisan political handicapper, framed the Democrats’ challenge for 2010 more bluntly. It does not track the genial, new-politics identity that President Obama has cultivated.
“They’re going to have to play really rough,” said Mr. Cook, who pegs Democrats’ chances for holding the House next year at only slightly better than even…
Democrats will “have to make the opponent the issue,” said Neil Newhouse, a Republican pollster. “No. 1, try to tie them to George W. Bush — and then make it personal after that.”
In other words, expect a lot more fat jokes from our enlightened progressive brethren when they’re not busy comparing themselves to Bob Dylan for claiming that Republicans want sick people to die. Meanwhile, the GOP’s own strategy evidently will focus on linking vulnerable House Democrats to Pelosi, since Bambi’s willingness to run up trillion-dollar deficits year after year after year into the future still isn’t enough to soil his good name with most of the public. Are we sure he’s not the Messiah? His ability to achieve jack squat while maintaining the love of the public borders on the supernatural.
Exit question: If next year’s GOP gains are underwhelming, how much of a consolation will it be to see Reid upset in Nevada? Because, dude, it’s happening.
Blowback
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Fight fire with fire . . . the Republican Party needs to get uglier and dirtier than the Democrats. This is no time to be nice. Throw sawdust on the floor to sop up the spit and blood and let’s get with it.
rplat on October 13, 2009 at 4:54 AM
I can remember when Bush had a 90% approval rating. It was fleeting to be sure, but it took Bush awhile to get to 50% or below and Obama has already been there. His policies are a lot less popular than he is and so is Congress. That might change by the midterms. However, going after Pelosi is a good idea. I think that there will be a lot of blue dogs in fairly conservative areas who might lose just because people want to get rid of her.
Terrye on October 13, 2009 at 5:17 AM
I can’t wait to see these pompus Liberals get booted out of office. They’ve rubbed “power” in our faces long enough and it would be nice to see more Conservatives in 2010. Terrye, I’ve gotten several calls for $$ and they are going after her.
yoda on October 13, 2009 at 6:51 AM
And this is a change in tacts WHY???
seanrobins on October 13, 2009 at 7:06 AM
I really love the last part of that quote. “tie them to G. Bush”. Seriously Libs, how much longer are we going to beat that carcass? If in 2024 we are still being tied to Pres. Bush I would not be one bit surprised. It has bordered on farce for so long they may as well be blaming it on “global warming”.
redneckjoe on October 13, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Win ugly with a picture of Pelosi…. Too easy.
Here in Virginia, there was a taste of this last night. Creigh Deeds is lagging in the polls and, with less than a month to go, has yet to zero in on anything but a 20-year-old thesis that Bob McDonnell wrote while getting his Master’s degree from Regent’s University (labeled “Pat Robertson’s University in Deeds ads). Deeds is shooting blanks and his getting more and more shrill with last night’s debate in Richmond essentially a “you’re a big fat liar” mantra from Deeds instead of any real leadership.
highhopes on October 13, 2009 at 7:34 AM
I’ll tell you, the election in which they use that meme just one more time, that ends up being “the bridge too far,” is the election in which they get absolutely crushed. I think it’s the one coming up. Is there anyone except the in-the-tankers that still believe that this is “Bush’s economy?”
smellthecoffee on October 13, 2009 at 7:41 AM
I am sure this has been said, but isn’t having Pelosi and Dunn leading the battle, makes winning “ugly” obvious? Describing the obvious?
right2bright on October 13, 2009 at 7:46 AM
2010 will be all about the economy. As the Dems have no hope of making socialism profitable, it don’t look too good. The economy will still be crap. I just hope any Republicans that get in(hopefully majority) will finally do something about reducing the size of government and point this country’s economy toward fiscal responsibility. This socialism scare would not have been possible if the size and role of government were in line with the 10th amendment.
adamsmith on October 13, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Jennifer Granholm has spent the last seven years defending her record of gross incompetence, mismangement, and outright fraud by claiming she inherited all her problems from John Engler. I think the “it’s Bush’s fault” mantra has more power than you would imagine.
highhopes on October 13, 2009 at 7:52 AM
It is a good plan. The Republicans by and large cannot or will not go for the throat. In addition, should they, the Dems have the ultimate come back because of Obama. “You are a racist!”
Truth is Obama was their linchpin for the attempt to seize power in a surge of effort. Their ongoing effort is like the ocean lapping at the shore during a rising tide, little wave, little wave, little wave. Obama is the Tsunami that will allow for a big leap up the beach and drown everyone foolish enough to stand for it.
I hope at some point, even the most uneducated among us, (And believe me the left worked real hard for that to happen.) will sense they are being trapped. Maybe that will allow them to seek new leadership, a different approach to life.
Or not, and we’ll be suffering through silly things like the U.N. telling me how to fish.
(Face palm)
archer52 on October 13, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Actually, the book of Revelation describes that person as the anti-Christ. Just sayin’…
crushliberalism on October 13, 2009 at 7:57 AM
Lefties play dirty.
What else is new?
Impeach Barack Obama,
Eww eww eww!
petefrt on October 13, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Fear and ugly is what they do. To their credit they do it very well. It should not be forgotten that despite the country supposedly leaning center right the Dems have virtually controlled either the House or Senate for 80 years with brief, very brief periods of Repub control.
In fact the only reason Repubs have a slim chance in 2010 is not because of their ideas but because of Obama and crew’s possible implosion.
Thankfully Presidential elections are about the person where Repubs have historically done better.
patrick neid on October 13, 2009 at 8:04 AM
You know I question that whole popularity thing with Obama despite what the polls say. I think people are hesitant to say they dislike Obama (that would make you a racist) whereas it’s O.K. to say you’re against Congress or against Obama’s policies. If people felt they could be truly honest without censure, I’m sure you would see a large decline in his personal popularity.
texabama on October 13, 2009 at 8:10 AM
In other words:
Blame Bush (again).
This time with the “You don`t want to go back to Bush, do you?” theme.
albill on October 13, 2009 at 8:13 AM
That was funny on so many levels. It fits for the fellow animals in the Bawn(ney Frank’s) yard. Send it to the tribal chiefs in Afghanistan as part of psy-ops, too.
onlineanalyst on October 13, 2009 at 8:24 AM
The relentless attack strategy has worked really well for Creigh Deeds in Virginia. He’s now 11 points behind the Republican.
Nice strategy, Dems!
EMD on October 13, 2009 at 8:26 AM
Nancy Pelosi already won ugly. Unfortunately the prize was not returnable.
rogue780 on October 13, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Keep in mind that that strategy will need some media help to succeed. Their allies on the tubes are losing their audiences left and left. They can’t insult their way into power and the shriller they get the more people they lose.
NeoKong on October 13, 2009 at 8:33 AM
ACORN will fraudulently ensure they hold onto power.
OmahaConservative on October 13, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Pelosi should have been gone a long time ago. She’s done a lot of damage to this country and wasted billions and billions of our tax dollars. The problem is the majority of her constituents are as liberal or even more so than she is. TERM LIMITS would have been nice. As for Harry, it will be nice not to have to look at that smug arrogant face of his and get someone in office who isn’t prone to using trickery to pass bills.
scalleywag on October 13, 2009 at 8:50 AM
When they act like this the RINO’s sniff their ass just like a submissive dog then roll on their back with legs in the air wanting the dems to rub their bellies. I for one have had enough of this McCain style politics. Give me a Joe Wilson and watch them whine.
bluegrass on October 13, 2009 at 8:51 AM
That’s because he hasn’t done anything else. Virginians who have questions about transportation, taxes, or other relevant issues have only gotten the same attack on McDonnell’s thesis paper- positions BTW that many downstate Virginians probably support even as skewed by Creigh Deeds. The whole basis of Deed’s strategy is to undercut the support from Northern Virginian independents. It isn’t working.
highhopes on October 13, 2009 at 8:54 AM
What else do these corrupt and incompetent jackasses have besides their cherished lies about President Bush?
They have no skill set, they are all as dirty as hell, they are all completely worthless, in short.
Besides the “blame Bush” chants, all they have is a warehouse full of race cards. And the race cards are wearing out.
NoDonkey on October 13, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Never forget that a great mentor taught ACORN how to change a whore house into a voting booth in the blink of an eye. Take nothing for granted.
bluegrass on October 13, 2009 at 9:02 AM
I sure would like them to televise the “brain storming” sessions of the Republican campaign staff against Reid.
That would be a comedy jewel.
barnone on October 13, 2009 at 9:11 AM
And this WASN’T their strategy in 2008? 2006? 2004? 2002?…………..
olesparkie on October 13, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Well, she’s got the ugly down pat. The libs will still be blaming GWB when he’s cold. How much more of their mismanagement can we stand. The R’s better start talking about jobs and economy to get the fight going in the right direction.
Kissmygrits on October 13, 2009 at 9:21 AM
It’s all I need to get me through to 2012 when Palin runs again.
katablog.com on October 13, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Well, there is one. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess……
jimmy2shoes on October 13, 2009 at 9:47 AM
I saw a newborn babe with the wild wolves around it.
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it.
I saw a black branch with a blood that kept dripping.
Saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleeding.I saw a white ladder all covered with water.
Saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were are broken.
Saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children.
And it’s hard, hard, hard, hard — it’s a hard rain’s a-gonna fall.
Now see, Mr. Grayson, that’s Dylan. Your crap is just crap.
max1 on October 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM
I thought her royal Nanciness was afraid of ..sob…violence? What ever blows your skirt up Mary,I mean Nancy.
inevitable on October 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Those worn out cards can be recycled and put to good use by putting bullseyes on them. Let the merriment begin.
inevitable on October 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM
What to do if we wake up one morning in Nov. 10′ and
* Nancy Pelosi will have to give up her gavel and fleet of G5s
* Harry Reid starts his “official” permanent exile away from the people of Nevada
* Alan Grayson’s Congressional career “dies quickly”
Bleed_thelizard on October 13, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Why on earth do the wack-jobs keep re-electing this nasty shrew to congress? Oh, wait, they keep reelecting the other hag, too…
OmahaConservative on October 13, 2009 at 10:08 AM
The thing to remember is that fighting dirty can work. It’s what got the Donkeys the Congress back in ’06, and it was a big part of their action plan last year, too.
Make no mistake — as awful as they are, as incompetent and dangerous, they will kick the GOP’s butt unless the Republicans fight back in kind. If the GOP tries the “my friendsh” approach again, if its candidates talk about how great their opponents are, we are doomed.
Kensington on October 13, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I think that this is their everyday strategy.
MSGTAS on October 13, 2009 at 10:40 AM
These mongols are sewer rats. The right has to jump into the sewer to fight them. Their scorched earth campaign policy has to be fought on the battlefield-the sewer.
rjoco1 on October 13, 2009 at 11:30 AM
The Republicans need to stick to the MAIN issue in this nation. FREEDOM! The freedom to earn what you want, the freedom to choose your own insurance company, the freedom to drive what you want, the freedom to live your life without the govt interfering. They need to point out the bailouts, deficits, high interest rates, unemployment, gas prices, and every other result that has come up over the last 4 years of a Democrat controlled congress.
jeffn21 on October 13, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Consolation to whom? I’m on the left, and I’m stoked to see Reid get bounced.
orange on October 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM
?? “Grays on” isn’t running against Pelosi in 2010. John Dennis is. .. and Fiorina isn’t in the running for Pelosi’s seat – she would be running for Boxer’s seat.
popularpeoplesfront on October 13, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Just wait til the bill comes due on those trillions, and trillions. His popularity will sink faster than a stone in a lake.
capejasmine on October 13, 2009 at 3:35 PM
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