POLL: Which faction of the right could Democrats court without selling...

[yurbud]

Poll question: POLL: Which faction of the right could Democrats court without selling...

their soul?

Obviously the Joes (Biden and Lieberman) are hoping to make the Dems the corporate whore without religious nuts party, but is that the right or only option? Or do we need any of them?

Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[tk2kewl]

1. I think there is a shot at the NASCAR red-necks

when they realize they are being sold out financially to the ultra-rich and corporate elite

[ollie79]

5. My thoughts

We should court the gun nuts because we are going to need somebody when these right wing whackos come looking for us when Hillary or Durbin wins in 08.

[Ravenseye]

2. LIbertarians

I know libertarians (the ones who don't actually vote Libertarian) who vote Republican because they think it's the party of less government and intrusrion. If we can show how the Republican party has been dominated by the cultural right who want to take away the libertarians freedoms, and that they actually are the party of even bigger government than the democrats (Clinton shrunk the government, Reagan, and both Bush's grew it) then we have a chance.

Taxes are big issue but if we can come up with a fair progressive system that doesn't completely scare them away we can win a few of them. Maybe play it as "What would you rather have. 5% higher taxes or Enforced Bible Study." Something like that.

[tk2kewl]

3. also remember libertarians are not only concerned about taxes

but despise Big Brother in all his forms i.e. Shiavo, Patriot Act

[MadHound]

4. None of the above, instead, go after that large block of potential voters

Who aren't voting now, for they see little, if no difference between the two parties.

And I hate to tell you this, but the Dems are already the corporate whore, as are the 'Pugs. We are living under the two party, same corporate master system of government.

Rather than continuing the same ol' same ol' political games, the Dems should shun corporations, take no money from them, and once again truly become the party of the people. Such a move would bring voters back in droves.

[Quixote1818]

6. I think we can go after the libertarians and not change policy

because Dems have become closer to them than the Republicans have even if we are not exactly like them. Going after just those who are not voting now is too risky, we need to expand our reach.

[MadHound]

10. Sorry, while I agree with libertarians on most social issues,

Their laissez faire economic approach is a cutthroat capitalists wet dream, and would be an absolute nightmare for the vast majority of Americans. In fact, it is this sort of attitude that is driving the underlying economic policies of Bushco. Rip up all sorts of pollution, business, safety, etc. regulations, and let unregulated capitalism run rampant. We tried that once, during the bad old days of the robber barons. It ended in the disaster of the Great Depression. And sad to say, we're doing that again now. When the crash comes, it will make the Great Depression look like the boom of the fifties and sixties.

[pnorman]

9. I voted for "Libertarian", but I agree with the above sentiment.

That's close to half of all eligible voters, who have been turned OFF by our present One-Point-Two Party system of government.

pnorman

[yurbud]

11. I agree--this is more like an AND to what you say, not OR

I think there is a sizable corporate whore faction in the Democratic party, but I honestly don't know if it's the majority or if it can be displaced by progressive activists. I think people have posted similar questions before, and most here want to try to take over the Dems instead of starting a new party or trying to beef up an existing third party.




Hillbilly Hitler art:



Blog:

[fla nocount]

13. Agreed. Target the proud, decent individuals who aren't affiliated.

I'm not a dem. In the view of either mainstream party I'm as radical as can be. I'm not a christian, I avoid being a consumer, I walk out of my way to be a devils advocate, I love everybody (even Bush) in the abstract and wish us all well on our common voyage through space on this tiny blue marble.

If there were a viable Populist movement you could kiss my ass gone. That said, there's millions of us folks with the populist gene, a fact that's not being utilized. We the people, for the people, by the people is a sentiment not being exploited by either party even though nothing rings as true. We are chattel to both Sessenbrenner and Biden, et. al.

I'm using the Democratic Party, it's not using me. It's better poised to be the opposition party, that's the long and the short of it. If I give it my time and energy it had better not walk backwards as there is no loyalty on my part.

Sorry about the spiel, got carried away, don't know what happened.

[Mythsaje]

7. I think

the Libertarians are the best bet. They distrust the religious wrong at LEAST as much as the progressives, if not more. They'd really like to "live and let live" with regards to gays and minorities. They'd like to see our justice system revamped for more efficiency and more justice.

The economic side...a little more difficult. But as far as opposing the Bush regime, they've been on the same page as the Dems from day one.

[Extend a Hand]

8. libertarians...

They tend to be rational (unlike the fundies) and we actually do have a fair amount of common ground.

Liberals on Libertarians tend to agree on civil liberty issues like
separation of church and state
abortion
against patriot act and similar legislation.

Libertarians want to reduce the size of government and eliminate the idea of corporate personhood (i.e. individual owners are personally liable for the actions of the corporation) Liberals generally want to limit corporate power and protect the individual consumer.

Libertarians advocate the use of our military only for defence (many liberals agree)

[XemaSab]

12. A few months ago

there was a political quiz posted, and most DU'ers came out as liberal libertarians. Liberal on social issues, and willing to live and let live.

Many libertarians are personally opposed to, say, gays and pot, but they don't think it's the governement's business what people do in their own homes.

I think Dean's message of strict fiscal responsibility would really resonate with these people, especially since the republicans have done such a terrible job of spending responsibly.

Their natural allies are the "starve the beasters" but their natural enemies are the fundies and the neocons, and when they realize that that's who's in control, they should defect with little encouragement.

But we need to give them somewhere to go so they don't stay home.

[applegrove]

14. Corporations who see the WH tribalizing of American Culture as

a threat to their markets. The religiously devout who see abortion as wrong and want it rare.