Which is a bigger group, "Swing Voters" or "Disgruntled Democrats"

[Gringo]

The conventional wisdom (at least the CW promulgated by Limbaugh & his myriad clones over the last 15 years) is that America is a "very conservative" country. The DLC bought this line (or just sold out to corporate interests) and has pulled the party so far right that it resembles the GOP of the early/mid 70s.

My question is this: which group should we be courting to win?

My thinking is that "swing voters" are by nature poorly informed, and more apathetic, thus much HARDER to attract, whereas "disillusioned democrats" are much more motivated, and more likely to get out and vote if we put up a candidate who is at one appealing enough, and NOT sold out, and enough of a democrat.

[David Zephyr]

1. The Goldmine: 50% of the Populace Doesn't Bother Voting.

Move to the left and court these people.

[bluestateguy]

2. Swing voters don't stand for anything

They have no principles and no convictions about anything. Most of them never make up their mind who to vote for, and on election day picking up Katelyn from soccer practice is a higher priority than going to the polls.

[w4rma]

3. We should create disgruntled Democrats from swing voters

who hopefully will become core Democrats.

[Woodstock]

4. You are wrong about swing voters - looky here, they are mad at the shrub

http://www.pollingreport.com/wh04gen.htm

Newsweek Poll Nov. 6-7, 2003:

"In general, would you like to see George W. Bush reelected to another term as president, or not?"

53% of Independents would not want to see Bush elected, and only 40% would.

I know quite a few swing voters who are disgusted by Bush. I'm thinking of 3 gentlemen in particular right now (one is a registered Republican who considers himself Independent, the other is an Indpendent, the third a Libertarian.) 2 are ready to vote Democratic - eager to, in fact. 1 (the Libertarian) hates Dems but hates Bush, too (will vote Lib or nothing.) There are more. OK, now make that 4 Independents ticked at Bush. Just now another lady comes to mind who has been sending me anti-Ashcroft/anti-Bush jokes - I asked if she was a Dem & she said she was an Independent. I don't know of any Independents who are happy with Bush. Add to this the disgruntled military. OK, now that makes a 5th swing voter I know ticked at Bush - a military reservist who voted for Bush last time just said a couple days ago "Bush doesn't care about the military, I am sick of him." You are wrong to characterize these people this way. Why throw the baby out with the bathwater? Independents aren't the enemy. I'm not saying ditch Democratic principles - no Republican Lite for me. The Democratic base is the primary target, and progressive is the way to go. But if we attract some Independents, or at least appeal to them more than Bush, why thumb our noses at them?

[Tinoire]

5. If we have to compromise what our party 'supposedly' stands for

to pander to the whims of a group of people whose judgement is so deplorable that they voted for Bush, then all is indeed lost.

We should bow to the judgement of people who fell for "compassionate" conservative and thought Bush was A-ok and find a candidate Republican enough to please them?

You know, if those Republicans don't like Bush anymore- let THEM get rid of him without destroying the Democratic Party!

It seems their only problem is George Bush and not the Republican platform then let them sit this vote out instead of pandering to their questionable tastes. It takes a little more than not liking Bush to be a Democrat. They either like Bush or don't. If it's so simple that Democratic voters need to abandon all principles to vote for ABB Republocrat then why isn't it simple enough to expect all these elusive swing voters to vote ABB also?

If the new wisdom is that the only way to beat the Republican Party is to become more Republican, then I'm out of here. The changing of the guard is getting old; this time I won't accept anything less than regime change.