How Do You Stop a Charging Elephant?

[Common Sense Party]

Peggy Nitwit Noonan, musing about the arse-whipping the Democrats are going to receive in November, interviews Grover Norquist about some ways Democrats can avoid the carnage:

But there are differences between 1994 and 2010. For one, this time around "the Democrats can see what's coming." They didn't see the Republican wave rising in 1994 until it was too late. "When you see something coming a mile away, you can build a ditch to keep it away." Democrats, he says, have put aside a lot of money for negative ads in the last days of the campaign. "For a year, Democratic strategists said 'We'll pass health care, they'll love us.' 'Recovery summer, they'll love us.' 'We'll run against Wall Street, they'll love us.'" These "narratives" failed. "The one thing they have left is: 'We will put together a lot of cash and run a lot of negatives ads showing why it's not policy that counts, it's that the Republican candidate had a DUI 10 years ago.'"

Edited to add link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575468051253093606.html

The idea of Norquist giving advice to the Democrats is laughable at best.



But what can and MUST be done in the next 60 days? Dig up dirt? Tack hard left? October surprise? (Please be specific)

[Uben]

1. That's easy......

...take away their credit cards!

[Common Sense Party]

24. Okay...NO ONE ELSE NEEDS TO ANSWER 'TAKE AWAY HIS CREDIT CARDS'!!!

We got it.

It was funny the first six times.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Take away his credit card.

[flvegan]

7. Stole my answer.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

16. stole mine mine also

[geardaddy]

23. Mine too.

[mzteris]

3. I don't like "going negative" in that way -

Tout what you've done and done well.

[Common Sense Party]

4. I don't either (although it has been effective in some isolated cases)

What, specifically, would you tout most loudly?

[mzteris]

19. some lists to get you started:

Everything. HOW MUCH he's accomplished in such a short amount of time with seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the way. AND he's done with style and grace. He may not have been as aggressive as many would like him to be. He may have been trying a little too hard to garner a "non-partisan" type government - but that is what he said he was going to do, so why is anyone surprised? And quite frankly, it makes me even more proud of him that he doesn't stoop to mudslinging "politics".


from this DU post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=417540

The recent impacts of a few accomplishments:

* Banning antibiotics in livestock production

* LGBT-Inclusive Sexual Education

* Fair Sentencing Act

* Enforcing the National Voter Registration Act for the first time in its 15-year history

* Saving the Auto Industry

* Appointing Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court

* Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act

* Wall Street Reform

* No more exemptions from environmental studies for deep drilling

* Government leading the green revolution

* Ending the combat mission in Iraq



or this one: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=433&topic_id=411767#411807
from: Phx_Dem
- Signed Lilly Ledbetter Act improving women's right to sue employers for pay discrimination
- Signed order giving benefits to government-employed same sex partners
- Signed law meant to improve the ability of women who allege pay discrimination to sue their employer.
- Signed Matthew Shepard Act, a hate crime bill
- Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
- Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
- Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
- Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
- Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
- Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending
adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier’s family
- The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
- Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
- Limits on lobbyist’s access to the White House
- Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
- Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
- Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in
Iraq/Afghanistan
- Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
- Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
- New federal funding for science and research labs
- States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
- Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
- Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
- New funds for school construction
- The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
- Saved GM -- now reporting profits for first time in years
- Passed the largest economic stimulus plan in U.S. history
- The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
- Passed financial reform bill
- The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
- Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with theGeneva Convention standards
- Better body armor is now being provided to our troop
- The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
- Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols -- signed deal with Russia.
- Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
- Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
- Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
- Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
- US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
- Tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
- Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
- Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
- Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
- Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
- Lifted travel restricted on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
- Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
- Expanding vaccination programs
- Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
- Closed offshore tax safe havens
- Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
- Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
- Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
- Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
- Lower drug costs for seniors
- Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
- Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
- Improved housing for military personnel
- Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
- Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
- Increased student loans
- Increased opportunities in AmeriCorps program
- Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
- Established a new cyber security office
- Beginning process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
- End previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
- Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
- Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
- Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
- Improved benefits for veterans
- Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
- Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
- Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
- Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
- Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
- Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
- Made more loans available to small businesses
- Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
- Appointment of two women to U.S. Supreme Court -- one being the first Latina
- Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
- Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
- Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan'
- Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
- New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
- Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
- Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
- Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
- Held first Seder in White House
- Deported nearly 400,000 illegals with criminal past
- Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
- Has announced his intention to push for education reform
- Banned offshore drilling until parameters for deep well safety procedures are clarified.
- Put a hold on Artic oil exploratory digging until environmental impacts are clear.


just found this link to a FB page dedicated to Obama accomplishments: http://www.facebook.com/ObamaAccomplishments?v=wall

[Common Sense Party]

20. This list is all about President Obama.

Not about Congressional Democrats.

Are you saying that if the Repukes try to make this election ALL ABOUT OBAMA that we should do the same? Counter their attacks on Obama with the facts on Obama?

[mzteris]

25. Sorry if I misunderstood - however,

I think making a lot of it about Obama's accomplishments - which he didn't do alone - isn't a bad idea, either. Targeting those accomplishments that "play well" in a particular district would be a good idea, too.

[Common Sense Party]

26. I think you brought up a good point. Fight fire with fire.

Don't be on the defensive.

[provis99]

31. apparently, these accomplishments are what the America voter doesn't like.

Wouldn't it be better to hide these "accomplishments" and just go all out negative on the repukes?

[mzteris]

32. sorry, I don't buy the "negative attack" approach

I've always felt that if you (or your product) is good, it stands on it's merits. If all you have going for you is pointing and saying "look how bad they are", then you've not much to offer, yourself.

[Hannah Bell]

14. because it's effective. the dems need to go negative all over the thieving gop.

and over the blue dogs among themselves.

[Common Sense Party]

21. ALL negative, ALL the time?

[mzteris]

28. if that's who I think it is,

then why doesn't whatever they said surprise me? (basing my supposition on your response...)

[Hannah Bell]

34. gee, your esp is kicking in again. why do you always comment on people you have on ignore?

why don't you just shut up & ignore them.

you want to made a big show of ignoring them & still have leeway to take jabs at them.

it's idiotic.

[librechik]

5. If I recall, the answer is "Take away its credit card"

And thats what we should do to our elephant. Stop giving them "credit" political credit, credit for "victory" credit to pay the Pentagon trillions, credit them with good intentions or intelligent ideas. Cut them off, and let everyone know they are deadbeats and thieves. Go on the attack and stop giving them so much credit!

[maxsolomon]

6. tell the truth

republicans are selfish, mean, stupid, and are fucking over everyone but the plutocrats.

[slackmaster]

8. Another vote for "Take away its credit card"

:hi:

[gulliver]

9. They're whistling a shaky tune to keep up their spirits.

After Labor Day, I think the gloves are off and the Republicans are going to start to see stars in the daytime. The truth about them is so negative that they fear negative ads. Unlike Republican negative ads, Democratic negative ads don't have to lie.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

10. Sounds like the pubs are putting an excuse on layaway in case their huge gains don't actually happen

Wednesday, Nov. 3: "We didn't take back the house and senate because the DemocRATS went negative! It's got nothing to do with their policies being right!"

[Faygo Kid]

11. Stand for something. More FDR, please.

Timidity in the face of evil doesn't work.

[gratuitous]

12. Oh come on! We can so cross the Grand Canyon in two jumps

As soon as we figure out where to stand for the second jump, we'll have it made. I've done up a little chart:

Step 1: Jump halfway across the Grand Canyon.
Step 2:
Step 3: Jump the rest of the way.

Voila! Figure out Step 2, and we'll have this whole thing licked into shape.

[Common Sense Party]

17. Stand for WHAT? Specifics, please.

WHAT KIND of FDR should we be doing--in eight short weeks?

[Faygo Kid]

33. You posted this so as to question all who respond in good faith.

Your post was insincere, as your replies clearly indicate. Next time you pull this, it will be alerted.

[Common Sense Party]

36. Not at all. In the original post, I asked for specifics.

I appreciate all who "respond in good faith," but you and I both know that vague generalities won't win any elections. If asking for specifics is too demanding, I apologize.

Alert away.

[jkshaw]

29. A diary on August 11

titled "Liberal Criticism of Franklin Roosevelt and The New Deal" by puakev, covers the similar problems FDR encountered while pushing through his New Deal. It wasn't easy for him, either, even and especially from his base.

This diary by puakev is excellent, well researched with quotes cited. I wish everyone on DU would read it.

[KittyWampus]

13. Grover Norquist is a liar. He's just admitted his own strategy cause he always blames Dems

for doing what he is or is going to do.

[rocktivity]

15. Operation Dead Dem Walking

Get the MSM to repeat that they're going to lose in a landslide often enough, and the Dems will stay home.

Not to be confused with 2008's Operation Election Too Close To Call.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[alfredo]

18. Use their words against them. Use their hate against them.

On gay bashing, racism, Muslim bashing: that is promoting hatred against fellow Americans, dividing us and making us weaker.

Expose their fear tactics.

Expose their hypocrisy.

[Common Sense Party]

22. What are some of the best examples

of Repubs gay-bashing, Muslim bashing, racism, etc?

[alfredo]

27. Using them as wedge issues, building them up as a great threat to

America is how they bash them. They want us to distrust and hate each other.

DOMA was an anti American piece of legislation.

[walldude]

30. Well.. Bugs Bunny would just drop a mouse in it's path....

[old mark]

35. Given a REAL elephant, you would shoot it in the head, but this elephant has no brain,

so I guess you just step nimbly out of its way and let it run in confused circles till it exhausts itself...


mark