How Scared is the GOP of an Obama win?

[GTKeeper]

As a general observation, and I think this is very evident on this forum, it seems that the hardcore right wingers are really terrified of Obama becoming president.

I think the true conservatives are already thinking ahead and how to revitalize the broken party and return to true conservative roots.

I think the GOP is scared because many of them will lose their jobs. From appointments to Senate/House elections the house of cards is falling down. I remember this exact reaction back in 1992 when Clinton got elected. I personally think thats its sad and petty to be fighting over such meaningless headlines in the news and not focusing on the road ahead. I think the GOP really needs to re-factor itself and re-emerge as something genuine and something that resembles conservatism.

I can't remember the last time there were so many defections from the GOP through endorsments of the opposite party. I don't think that posting here on P&N about Obama being a socialist etc. helps any. The best posts and the ones that I think we get the most out of are the ones where we discuss solutions to issues.

I do wonder why are people so scared though. Either way you see it, this is how our country is progressing. Looking at history you cannot STOP progress, but you can take part. I think the GOP really needs to focus on taking part in the process and return back to its roots.

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

 

[StageLeft]

They do seem very terrified and scared. I can only posit that it's due to such a contrast in the constant and very focused beam of politics and social ideas on which they have so far sustained themselves. I don't know if it's because Republicans are inherently closed-minded or what, but I am positive that more of them are legitimately scared/terrified than Democrats were in 2004 after losing. Perhaps it is because, in an interesting irony, the tool that the Republicans have wielded so effectively, that of fear, is because they themselves are so vulnerable to it.

Whatever is going on, there is I think some true difference in how Republicans and Democrats see the world and it goes beyond a simple political preference; that preference may just be a symptom of their personalities.

 

[Excelsior]

I dunno, but it is pretty bad. People who have been mostly sane for the past so many years think the world is going to end...

 

[Juddog]

Originally posted by: GTKeeper
As a general observation, and I think this is very evident on this forum, it seems that the hardcore right wingers are really terrified of Obama becoming president.

I think the true conservatives are already thinking ahead and how to revitalize the broken party and return to true conservative roots.

I think the GOP is scared because many of them will lose their jobs. From appointments to Senate/House elections the house of cards is falling down. I remember this exact reaction back in 1992 when Clinton got elected. I personally think thats its sad and petty to be fighting over such meaningless headlines in the news and not focusing on the road ahead. I think the GOP really needs to re-factor itself and re-emerge as something genuine and something that resembles conservatism.

I can't remember the last time there were so many defections from the GOP through endorsments of the opposite party. I don't think that posting here on P&N about Obama being a socialist etc. helps any. The best posts and the ones that I think we get the most out of are the ones where we discuss solutions to issues.

I do wonder why are people so scared though. Either way you see it, this is how our country is progressing. Looking at history you cannot STOP progress, but you can take part. I think the GOP really needs to focus on taking part in the process and return back to its roots.

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Conservatives want to maintain their stranglegrip on America and claim that anybody against their views is anti-American. That's all it comes down to.

 

[yuppiejr]

I'm not sure a throwback to New Deal big government is exactly progress... Obama is a celebrity onto which people continue to project their own hopes and dreams who seems driven primarily by poll numbers and special interest money. Based on the little he's actually done while serving in his elected congressional seat I am not optimistic that his presidency will bring anything but more government spending and less freedom and prosperity overall for the average American, but we'll see.

I will agree with you that the GoP has pretty well depth charged themselves this election and needs to get back to the core values of fiscal conservatism, free markets and individual liberties. The "big tent" movement in the GOP to attract fairweather independents and moderates by moving the party platform farther to the left has pretty much been a disaster for the party by alienating the conservative base.

 

[StageLeft]

Obama is a celebrity onto which people continue to project their own hopes and dreams

Aren't all politicians this, minus the celebrity?

Based on the little he's actually done while serving in his elected congressional seat I am not optimistic that his presidency will bring anything but more government spending and less freedom and prosperity overall for the average American, but we'll see.

Valid concern. Although I an sympathetic with his cause, he does have very little political accolades to his name.

 

[yuppiejr]

Originally posted by: Juddog

Originally posted by: GTKeeper
As a general observation, and I think this is very evident on this forum, it seems that the hardcore right wingers are really terrified of Obama becoming president.

I think the true conservatives are already thinking ahead and how to revitalize the broken party and return to true conservative roots.

I think the GOP is scared because many of them will lose their jobs. From appointments to Senate/House elections the house of cards is falling down. I remember this exact reaction back in 1992 when Clinton got elected. I personally think thats its sad and petty to be fighting over such meaningless headlines in the news and not focusing on the road ahead. I think the GOP really needs to re-factor itself and re-emerge as something genuine and something that resembles conservatism.

I can't remember the last time there were so many defections from the GOP through endorsments of the opposite party. I don't think that posting here on P&N about Obama being a socialist etc. helps any. The best posts and the ones that I think we get the most out of are the ones where we discuss solutions to issues.

I do wonder why are people so scared though. Either way you see it, this is how our country is progressing. Looking at history you cannot STOP progress, but you can take part. I think the GOP really needs to focus on taking part in the process and return back to its roots.

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Conservatives want to maintain their stranglegrip on America and claim that anybody against their views is anti-American. That's all it comes down to.

You do realize there's been a democratic majority in the house and even party split in the senate since the 2006 elections, right?

 

[MadRat]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
I dunno, but it is pretty bad. People who have been mostly sane for the past so many years think the world is going to end...

I am convinced that some mindset switches in the brain when people reach their mid-50's. Suddenly things they rejected their whole life seem palatable. Suddenly everything is possible even when the basis is farcical. Its like they suddenly get liberal while publicly putting on a conservative face.

 

[GTKeeper]

Originally posted by: yuppiejr
I'm not sure a throwback to New Deal big government is exactly progress... Obama is a celebrity onto which people continue to project their own hopes and dreams who seems driven primarily by poll numbers and special interest money. Based on the little he's actually done while serving in his elected congressional seat I am not optimistic that his presidency will bring anything but more government spending and less freedom and prosperity overall for the average American, but we'll see.

I will agree with you that the GoP has pretty well depth charged themselves this election and needs to get back to the core values of fiscal conservatism, free markets and individual liberties. The "big tent" movement in the GOP to attract fairweather independents and moderates by moving the party platform farther to the left has pretty much been a disaster for the party by alienating the conservative base.

I was refering more to progress in terms of electing a black president. I think it will be interesting to see if/when the true conservative party will re-emerge. Maybe the ulitmate fear is that this is the begining of the end for the GOP as a large representation of the country. I don't think the neocon movement will die, but it could settle at 25-30% influence. Only true center/right conservatism will get above that mark.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yuppiejr
Obama is a celebrity onto which people continue to project their own hopes and dreams

Aren't all politicians this, minus the celebrity?

Yes, they are all figureheads in which people direct their hopes and dreams as well as their anger, frustration, and hatred. That is the unwritten part of their job description. Obama and McCain are no different in that sense. Although, I do believe it is worth pointing out that while America's government itself will not be changing very quickly after Obama is elected, many people in America will change quickly and for the better. I firmly believe that one of the biggest problems in this country is a lack of confidence and self motivation amongst the people right now towards themselves and the government because they have been battered and beaten for the past 8 years. They are begging for some relief even if that relief is nothing more than a false presumption that things will change immediately with a new president like Obama. When Obama is elected, that could provide an immediate change within a lot of people in America and provide them with hope, confidence, and motivation. Such feelings of charisma have proven to have a direct positive effect on any country to work hard, make good decisions, and generally strive to go farther and do the right thing. We need that right now.

A lot of people believe that if Obama is elected that hope is all we will get and it will be temporary. I don't believe that personally. I think that given adequate time the man will come through with many improvements that revitalize America's confidence in America. Why I believe that and why others oppose that idea stems from a great variety of reasons which are discussed in other threads so I won't go into detail here.

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: yuppiejr
Based on the little he's actually done while serving in his elected congressional seat I am not optimistic that his presidency will bring anything but more government spending and less freedom and prosperity overall for the average American, but we'll see.

Valid concern. Although I an sympathetic with his cause, he does have very little political accolades to his name.

More government spending? Ya maybe, but how we spend it is important too. No one likes the idea of more spending in general but we cannot ignore how money will be spent regardless of how much we hate spending because you know both are planning on spending lots of money.

Less freedom? Possibly and as usual I imagine that one will boil down to what people value as individuals. What is viewed as less freedom to some is very often viewed as more freedom to others. Only time will tell here which is the case with any candidate.

Less prosperity? I hope not and I don't believe that will happen with Obama. I do believe there will be less with McCain though. I am sure we both have our reasons.

 

[T2T III]

Scared? Hell yeah, I'm scared. :frown:

 

[Genx87]

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Not scared of an Obama presidency, scared of an Obama presidency with a super majority.
Free to do whatever the hell they(dems) want.

 

[Starbuck1975]

I do wonder why are people so scared though. Either way you see it, this is how our country is progressing. Looking at history you cannot STOP progress, but you can take part. I think the GOP really needs to focus on taking part in the process and return back to its roots.

Because an Obama Presidency is not necessarily progress (except for the obvious historic milestone of America having its first black President)...it would simply be part of the cyclical dynamic in American politics...I am sure hardline Democrats and liberals felt the world would end when Reagan defeated Carter.

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

I think very few are scared...most conservatives are concerned with what the Pelosi/Obama one-two punch will do to the country...it took nearly three decades to purge the system of all the big government nonsense introduced by the Democrats last time they controlled the wheel.

I think the GOP really needs to re-factor itself and re-emerge as something genuine and something that resembles conservatism.

Absolutely, just as the potential exists for the Democrats to become that which they most despise...absolute power corrupts absolutely.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Originally posted by: T2T III
Scared? Hell yeah, I'm scared. :frown:

After living in fear of the psychopathic fucktards in charge for the past 8 years, I welcome a more stable, sane president who believes that talking first is the correct approach rather than laying waste to populations, especially when neither of the fucktards saw any military action.

 

[Thump553]

Scared silly. Look at all the diversionary tactics they are pulling. Excerpts from old radio interviews taken way out of context, making Sam the Plumber a celebrity, intra-party warfare and blame leveling, Romney manuvering behind the scenes to sabotage Palin so he will be the front runner in 2012, etc.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: GTKeeper
... Looking at history you cannot STOP progress...

But conserving or stopping progress is by definition what conservatives are all about.

This is either true and the rest is subterfuge or they're changing and they need to rename their movement to something that more accurately reflects the ideology.

 

[GTKeeper]

Originally posted by: T2T III
Scared? Hell yeah, I'm scared. :frown:

What exactly are you scared of? Just trying to gain some insight.

 

[GTKeeper]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Not scared of an Obama presidency, scared of an Obama presidency with a super majority.
Free to do whatever the hell they(dems) want.

Yes, it makes you wonder and think about the all dem, Carter lead administration.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Not scared of an Obama presidency, scared of an Obama presidency with a super majority.
Free to do whatever the hell they(dems) want.

This is something where you and I could have many drinks over and be on the same page for hours. I am a man who believes in balancing the system over time. I am not too afraid of a super majority for now temporarily, but I know that I want it to change in time because such a thing lasting too long could get counter productive. The fact of the matter is that there are many problems out there. Some of those problems are better suited for Dems to fix because of their strengths and others are more suited for Repubs because of what they do best. It just so happens that many of the largest problems we face now are often better handled by Dems imo which is the reason for my lack of concern...for now.

Let us hope that when Obama wins it will act as a lightening rod for the Repubs to start becoming more fiscally conservative and less socially conservative. As much as I disagree with them this election, I fully understand and appreciate the balance they bring to our country.

 

[seemingly random]

I found this particularly illustrative of the current atmosphere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ame...tions_2008/7694857.stm

It is a measure of Republican desperation that they are starting to use the argument that America should not place the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives all in the hands of the Democrats at the same time because that would leave Barack Obama free to exercise power without checks and balances.

It is the kind of argument you deploy only when you are trying to limit the scale of the loss and have given up all hope of winning.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Not scared of an Obama presidency, scared of an Obama presidency with a super majority.
Free to do whatever the hell they(dems) want.

Were you worried back in 2004 when you checked all the names with an "R" next to them?

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: GTKeeper

Originally posted by: T2T III
Scared? Hell yeah, I'm scared. :frown:

What exactly are you scared of? Just trying to gain some insight.

Several reasons:

1) More smaller business will either fail due to tax increases, or they'll have to curb the hiring of employees - and may even lay more of them off.

2) People who are not currently paying taxes, but will receive "Demfare" checks which will be disguised as tax credits. This will weaken the ability and desire for one to further advance themself.

3) The "real" Obama will appear. He's done a great job of keep calm, cool and collected; people love the view of him now, but what will the future bear?

4) Suppression of freedom of speech for networks who question any of his decisions or practices (as already witnessed via Joe Biden's) responses to date.

5) Joe Biden's "firecracker" temper.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: Genx87

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Not scared of an Obama presidency, scared of an Obama presidency with a super majority.
Free to do whatever the hell they(dems) want.

Were you worried back in 2004 when you checked all the names with an "R" next to them?

I wasn't scared at all. In fact, I felt very, very good.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: seemingly random
I found this particularly illustrative of the current atmosphere.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ame...tions_2008/7694857.stm

It is a measure of Republican desperation that they are starting to use the argument that America should not place the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives all in the hands of the Democrats at the same time because that would leave Barack Obama free to exercise power without checks and balances.

It is the kind of argument you deploy only when you are trying to limit the scale of the loss and have given up all hope of winning.

I agree, it's a pretty desperate plead, but shouldn't they instead be cutting their losses, throwing McCain under the bus without any more money, and trying to put effort into keeping some congressional power? It's like they are losing so they go double or nothing.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: Genx87

Why are people so scared of an Obama presidency?

Not scared of an Obama presidency, scared of an Obama presidency with a super majority.
Free to do whatever the hell they(dems) want.

This is something where you and I could have many drinks over and be on the same page for hours. I am a man who believes in balancing the system over time. I am not too afraid of a super majority for now temporarily, but I know that I want it to change in time because such a thing lasting too long could get counter productive. The fact of the matter is that there are many problems out there. Some of those problems are better suited for Dems to fix because of their strengths and others are more suited for Repubs because of what they do best. It just so happens that many of the largest problems we face now are often better handled by Dems imo which is the reason for my lack of concern...for now.

Let us hope that when Obama wins it will act as a lightening rod for the Repubs to start becoming more fiscally conservative and less socially conservative. As much as I disagree with them this election, I fully understand and appreciate the balance they bring to our country.

Ill gladly toast a drink to that!

:beer: