What's your favorite talking points with moderate repugs and undecideds?

[milkyway]

When asked what I think about bush, I try not to go at bush from a left wing point of view. That turns off most moderates. Instead, I seemingly attack bush from the right. I say that I don't like bush because he's weak on terror and his policies are un-American. bush let Saddam off the hook by going after Saddam instead. I mention Richard Clark saying that we only had 12,000 troops go after Osama, while we sent 130,000 after Saddam. I talk about how bush hasn't done much in the way of homeland security.

I say that bush doesn't seem to believe in democracy. His policies in the U.S. all result in less democracy, not more. Somebody might say that bush has to do these things because we are at war. I ask them if they felt that way during Clinton's administration also, because we were at war several times during his years. They might reply that we hadn't been attacked, but I let them know they are wrong. The WTC was first attacked 38 days into Clinton's administration. The only difference between then and 9/11 was that the terrorists' plan was less effective in 1993. They only killed a handful of people, but they tried to kill 50,000+.

Unfortunately, I've found that bringing up such things as what is right and just won't change most people's minds. Deep down, they don't care about things like torturing foreigners, so I try to frame my arguments in ways that they can relate to. I'm interested in hearing what others find to be most effective.

[Dookus]

1. fiscal irresponsibility

most "moderate republicans" consider themselves fiscally conservative and socially liberal. So I point out fiscally IRresponsible modern conservatives are, and praise Clinton for balancing the budget - something Reagan nor either Bush ever even tried to do.

[milkyway]

2. That's a great point to make. It was Dean's strongest argument.

[LiberalTechie1337]

3. Deficit and Spending

These generally sway the moderates. Also point out the massive corruption, with Halliburton and Enron.

[kainah]

4. I listen first & then respond based on what they say

I've been tabling for our peace group in the union at University of Wyoming for about a year now & I always try to get people to tell me what they support -- or what their concerns are -- and then I take it from there.

An interesting talking point that I've found many agreeing with lately is that our international reputation -- which we badly need now to fight real terrorism -- has been so badly damaged that the only way to signal to the world that we have changed is to replace *.

Another statement that I've been hearing with increasing regularity is "I am a Republican but not that kind of Republican."

[milkyway]

7. If I were a true conservative Republican, I would be repulsed by bush.

There is absolutely nothing conservative about his adminstration.

[gatorboy]

5. You want them to agree with you on a point..

...Talk about his wonderful illegal immigration policy. I have yet to find a single person that agrees with what he is doing there...

[Somawas]

6. There isn't much Republican about the guy.

Smaller government? Nope.
Tax reduction? Yes.
Deficit? Twice Reagan's.
Preemptive war? Ike has to be spinning in his grave.
Where's Osama?

Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago? Sure you got the tax cut. Has it paid for your gas price increase? Health care cost increases? Your portfolio losses?

Then they hit me with how he's religious. And I got nothing.

[Blue_Roses]

8. being borned and raised southern baptist

I especially like this topic--morality--and how a sin is a sin, is a sin, is a sin, in God's eyes, but to the repubs, they "classify" them conviently to work toward their agenda. I bring this example up 'cause today at the gym, I got in a "spirited" debate with a rwinger about Jesus...funny thing is, he didn't exhibit anything that was Jesus like since he only reputed racist HATE remarks

[milkyway]

10. Ask him "Who would Jesus torture?" Would he put a bag over their head and

attach electrodes to their testicles?

[enough]

9. In my neck of the woods it's the ENVIRONMENT.

Southeastern PA, a LOT of well-heeled republicans and born-again Christian conservatives. The traditional old Republicans are furious with Bush about the environment. And they are well-read and very savvy on the subject. There's an active local chapter of "REP" (Republicans for Environmental Protection) and they are planning to "sit this election out." That is, the organization will NOT endorse a candidate, and I suspect the members will NOT vote Bush. This is an amazing development, since these people are all old-line died-in-the-wool Republicans but they absolutely despise Bush for this one reason.

The born-agains mostly don't care a fig for the environment, and there's no talking to them on any other subject either.

[boobooday]

11. I like to bring up Bush's betrayal of the military

That always gets them.

Cutting pay and benefits, the underhanded draft that involves breaking their contract with soldiers who have served theirs.

They have to agree, or they don't support our troops.



http://www.wgoeshome.com

[milkyway]

12. I have never understood why bush would do that. What possible gain

does he get from it, except for a slightly lower budget deficit? Could it really be that they just don't think any working class or poor person deserves anything at all?

[gatorboy]

13. Lob this one their way:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,124710,00.html

Mexican Soldiers Interrupt Funeral of Marine

SAN LUIS DE LA PAZ, Mexico — Mexican soldiers carrying automatic weapons interrupted the Independence Day (search) funeral of a U.S. Marine and demanded that the Marine honor guard give up ceremonial replicas of rifles they carried. The move drew an angry reaction from the U.S. Ambassador.




I have yet to hear any outrage over this one from the Bush administration. I mean, where's their patriotism? Sure they'll go after the Dixie Chicks, but where's the criticism towards his buddy President Vicente Fox over this?

[Nevernose]

14. Gun control (Brady Bill)

Supporting sensible gun control does not make one a "gun-grabber," nor does it mean that "they" are going to outlaw all guns.

Most people support everything in it: a check for felons and people with severe mental illness, two-week waiting period, even the ban on assault rifles is popular w/ rednecks once it is pointed out that they're no good for hunting anyway, and a shotgun and/or a .38 are both better for home defense.

[NashVegas]

15. I Tell Them I Want 4 More Years of Bush

Cause he's doing such a great job of waking up the lefties and getting us pissed off into action.

Gives 'em something extra to think about.

[welshTerrier2]

16. my list

budget deficits come first ... then i talk about how Republicans pushed through welfare reform but failed to get at the "big dollars" part of the problem ... i explain how corporate welfare is now the largest giveaway program ... and on foreign policy, i like to focus (just like Kerry has) on how much weaker America has become because we have squandered our key alliances ... this will cost us both economically and security-wise ...

for undecideds on the left (e.g. some Greens), i like to emphasize the damage bush has done to the judiciary which has moved very far to the right ...

[Cats Against Frist]

17. I generally talk about how the GOP (I never criticize "republicans")

is out-of-touch, extremists. If they're not religious, I salt and pepper it with a little "the crazy evangelicals" bit. If they are, I talk about neocons -- the Strauss angle, about the elites manipulating the stupid plebeian shite, etc. I say Pat Buchanan can't stand Bush.

I talk about my "radical compromise" plan with the right, to make them think I'm not a "loony leftie," -- call myself an independent, praise paleocon protectivst and anti-Nafta stances. Talk about the wealthy amassing huge amounts of money off the working class, and how they're buying the government, etc.

I have a whole plan. It goes differently person to person.

I NEVER try to argue social issues with them -- if have to, or if they lead me there, I generally talk about how Asshat and the GOP are jizzing to amend the Constitution for every little Christian bitch, and repeal the first Amendment.