Is it wrong to mimic successful Rethug tactics/strategies?

[HardWorkingDem]

A common perception about the Dem Party this past election cycle was that "people" were unsure of what Dem's were willing to fight for (now this is not my perception, but a lot of the electorate).

So my question is, would Dem's get upset if the more Dem's would mimic successful Rethug strategies/tactics?

For example, I cannot understand why Dems cannot stay on message and sink their teeth into an issue and stick with it. If the tables were reversed, I can guarantee that every Republican going on television would be thrashing around the CIA leak story and would not let it go. If the topic were heath care they would go, "let me say this first about the CIA leak" and then go on until cut off. If the subject were about taxes, or the Supreme Court, it would be the same thing.

Another co-op would be that of something similar to the Gingrich's Contract ON America. Dems should take a few broad issues and hammer them home.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not advocating becoming Rethugs, but if something works, then let's start using it.

[unrepuke]

1. Fight fire with fire. Aboluley.

[wli]

2. I got blasted for suggesting using their negative tactic in another thread

I suggested making a "connection by mentioning things together" by juxtaposing Rethug anti- birth control stuff and the sexual side effects of some of their big pharma stuff as e.g. questions asked right in a row. Spreading the implication they're eugenicists etc. trying to chemically castrate people en masse for the sake of their religious anti-sex agenda in a Karl Rove -ish manner was not viewed kindly.

A Contract with America -like affair is probably a higher road than Rove -like PR tactics and/or whisper campaigns anyway.

[wtmusic]

3. Republicanism appeals to simple minds

and in 2004 it had pat, black and white answers.

Less so in 2005. On the war, stem cell research, filibuster issue moderate Republicans are wavering or outright revolting.

The so-called "moderate Democrats" are the most conservative Democrats in history. If we're going to provide a true alternative we have to cast them overboard. "Framing the issues" or dwelling on strategy isn't that important.

[Talismom]

5. Cast 'em over now!! n/t

[Vincardog]

4. How much time would the Dems get om Corporate Controlled Media?

You are correct they do need to stand up now for some issues Like

Universal Health care Now.
Open Transparent Elections NOW
Fair Trade NOW
Free Quality Educations For All Americans NOW
Living Wages NOw
Jobs for all NOW
Ending Corporate Influence in Government NOW
Forcing corporations to Honor their contracts with their workers and retirees.
If a company sends jobs overseas it gets no more government contracts and pays a duty to import it's product for sale in the US.

[dajoki]

6. i've been waiting for years...

for us to realize we must use they're own tactics against them.:shrug:

[ibegurpard]

7. You mean like stealing elections, cheating, and thuggery?

Yeah, that would be wrong.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. I see nothing wrong with using their ethical strategies

I stop short at mimicing the convenient memory lapses and outright distortions, but picking a frame for our message and hammering it home can do us no harm.

I also like adopting the strategy of the orator Cato (he of the "Carthage must be destroyed" fame,) namely mentioning your important agenda item regardless of the topic.

[jonnyblitz]

9. as long as we don't "mimic" their same positions on the issues.

eom.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Even if we use the GOP "Tactics"....unfortunately,

we would still lack the Corporate media on our side. In the end, that's one of the biggest factor in GOP success; the fact that the media frames the issues and the name calling exactly the way that the GOP dictates.

Sure, the Corporate media might stop being the giant lackeys that they are for the GOP....FOR THE MOMENT....but they will be back at it as soon as "election year" arrives.

Currently they are busy serving us Hillary Clinton, Mark Warner or Evan good Bayh as our potential candidates 3 years from now. The question is why them? Aren't they all "Big time" DLCb members? So why are we being served "them"?

[ticapnews]

11. Nancy Pelosi did this yesterday...

At her press conference she threw out accusations that GOP leadership had offered illegal deals (she barely stopped short of calling them bribes) to both GOP and Democratic members for their vote on CAFTA. She said she would not go into specifics, but would leave it up to individual members who had been offered the deals to go public and/or file an ethics charge. Reporters asked over and over for specifics, but Pelosi refused. Finally a reporter asked, "Is it fair for you to throw out these charges and not offer details? How would you feel if you were treated that way?"

Pelosi's response was priceless: "We already are treated that way. Everyday." She went on to skewer the GOP for their tactics. But refused to offer up specifics on the wheeling and dealing the GOP did.

That, coupled with Howard Dean's "right-wing court" comment about eminent domain, give me hope that the Democratic Leadership is serious about fighting. Dirty, if need be.

[ArkDem]

12. Bill Clinton used the Reagan campaigns and fundraising

as his model.