Echoes of the 80s
2011-09-09 - by
The Republican presidential candidates today remind me of Democrats in the 1980s: so in thrall to interest-groups within their own party they’re forced to undermine their chances to win a general election.
In 1984 and 1988, Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis were crippled by their kowtowing to labor, liberals and Jesse Jackson. By the time they finished prostrating themselves at their respective national conventions, both candidates were dead meat.
For the Republicans this year, the pandering has begun more than a year before the general election. By the time the caucuses and primaries begin, they’ll be showing their tattoos pledging to vote against taxes, abortion, gay marriage, health care and who knows what else.
Exhibit One: The debate Wednesday night. Rick Perry went so far proving his Tea Party credentials he gave Democrats the perfect sword with which to slay his candidacy: Social Security. Even Mitt Romney took up that one!
Believe me, if there’s one thing Democrats know, it’s how to scare enough Social Security and Medicare recipients to win an election.
Echoes of the 80s
2011-09-09/
The Republican presidential candidates today remind me of Democrats in the 1980s: so in thrall to interest-groups within their own party they’re forced to undermine their chances to win a general election.
In 1984 and 1988, Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis were crippled by their kowtowing to labor, liberals and Jesse Jackson. By the time they finished prostrating themselves at their respective national conventions, both candidates were dead meat.
For the Republicans this year, the pandering has begun more than a year before the general election. By the time the caucuses and primaries begin, they’ll be showing their tattoos pledging to vote against taxes, abortion, gay marriage, health care and who knows what else.
Exhibit One: The debate Wednesday night. Rick Perry went so far proving his Tea Party credentials he gave Democrats the perfect sword with which to slay his candidacy: Social Security. Even Mitt Romney took up that one!
Believe me, if there’s one thing Democrats know, it’s how to scare enough Social Security and Medicare recipients to win an election.