General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRomney lost because he portrayed himself and his values accurately.
All the talking heads are breaking down Romneys shocking loss into fine details, trying to make some sense of the elections stunning turn of events. Theyre soul searching and asking over and over, How did Romney lose? I know its bad for ratings, but I its pretty simple.
Credibility: Hit reverse just for a moment and remember that snapshot of the Republican primaries. That was the greatest assembly of dimwit whackjobs since the cast of Soap disbanded. The Adams Family on steroids, but without the normal sister. Did they think no one would notice that they didnt have anyone who was sane, honest or able to relate to the average American? Seriouslyout of 300,000,000 people, that was the best they could do? And the big winner, Romney, was shady even for reThugs. He wouldnt release his tax records, he shredded (lost) all of his emails while he was Governor, he ran faux commercials and made statements in debates that were outright lies. His party platform relied on perpectives that decent, average Americans knew just werent right. Looking us in the eye and qualifying rape, denying climate change in the midst of a catastrophic storm, and telling us again and again that the millionaires need the money more than we do. Bluffing and political lies are one thing, but even some of the staunchly-ostrich supporters of the Right had to admit that the reThugs were overplaying their hand with the sheer magnitude of their bullshit.
Class Warfare: With all the emphasis on the need for billionaire/millionaire tax breaks in the face of spending cuts, people have come to realize that when they say they want to cut spending, what they are actually saying is they want to cut our stuff. But this time, it was no longer enough to just cut services and roads. Medicare, Social Security and our own safety net are now considered spending. In the last 12 years, Americans who supported Bush Breaks have seen their denial diminish with their bank accounts. Romenys budget and tax policy were real and direct threats to the Average American and people voted accordingly.
The Social Neanderthal Party: The RWs arrogance and narcissism have always allowed them to ignore anyone not in their Wonderful White Guy Club, but that party is over. Being mean to gays, outwardly suppressing votes of minorities and offending women will get people pissed. People are sick of it and this time, the rePukes took it too far. Voters rejected "Republican Values," didn't they? Women, young voters and minorities were thorns in white millionaire asses nationwide in last weeks election by margins ranging from double digits to 2:1 against. These groups are now highly empowered and here to stay. The RW now has to deal with it.
In the end, voters didnt trust Romney, they didnt believe his policies would benefit them, and they were sick of the hate politics. Its really very simple. Were it not for the fact that (IMO) the RWs cheating wasto Roves chagrin--neutralized behind the scenes by Obamas guys, it was impossible for Romeny to win in the face of the opposition he himself created. He opposed the Average American on financial and social platforms in nearly every way that has an impact on day to day living. Its incredibly obvious and theres no wonder he lost.
drlindaphd
(86 posts)They did a lot of talking, but very little listening. Bill Mahar had a segment called "thoughts from the bubble" or something similar. It was as if the Republicans were disconnected from the real people and needs of mainstream Americans. Romney, et.al. did not seem to remember that what they said and did was all being recorded and would come back at them at a later date.
They seemed to forget that we live in the electronic age where things you say and do live on and on. They seemed to be unaware of how racist, puritanical, and downright ignorant they appeared. They really underestimated the awareness and intelligence os most Americans.
And apparently, many of us have been overestimating the commitment of many of our elected leaders to our needs and welfare.
yardwork
(61,622 posts)Kerry might have won in 2004 if he had recognized and fought against the Republican vote-stealing in OH and probably elsewhere. Obama is not naive. He came prepared.
joeunderdog
(2,563 posts)when the card cheat bets it all on his full house, aces over kings...only to be beaten by a guy who pulled 4 deuces. You can't complain that "things didn't go as planned" Obama knew he wouldn't win it in court or in the press and rather than pull a John Kerry, he beat them at their own game and flipped their flipped votes. JMO
Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)The American people saw him for who he really is. Thank God (or Karma) for that.
Last Stand
(472 posts)They will have to change or their party will not be able to win nationally again. I would love to be a fly on the shit that's flying in the RW strategy meetings now. How can they say they are different when they won't win if they're not the same?
thelordofhell
(4,569 posts)But the Munsters are the family with the "normal" person (Marilynn) in it. The Addams family was all creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky (but what the heck is "ooky"??)
aletier_v
(1,773 posts)I can't believe he got 58 million votes.
He should have gotten perhaps half that.