Third Way's brilliant strategy: divide Democrats between the platform and the President

[CrossChris]

All they had to do was to get a guy who was personally captivating, but whose beliefs countered the planks of the Democratic Party platform for the last 50+ years.

That's the "third way" to try and defeat the New Deal. Not with a Republican--that would wake up & solidify the Democrats. Not with a weak Democrat who would immediately be labeled a traitor. But with a person who is so charismatic, so opposite from the traditional platform, that it would split the Democratic base in two between the platform, and the person sitting in the White House with "Democrat" behind their name.

[MadMaddie]

1. Did you forget your sarcasm smilie?

The Democratic Base is being split by inside so called Democratic supporters.

[daa]

2. Uh NO its supposed leaders nt

[Doctor_J]

3. Part II of the Clinton Experiment from the 90's

We did away with the Fairness Doctrine, signed onto NAFTA, began "the end of welfare as we know it". Big Dog confounded their plan by facing down Gingrinch in 95, but it still went pretty well for the corporatists. I also think that Clinton had enough JFK in him that he wouldn't disband SS, Medicare, Medicaid, and Public Schools. Obama's deference to the right wing congress, combined with his own disdain for public schools and labor, and his refusal to sic Holder on the blatant election thieves, guarantees that the job will be finished this time around.

[CrossChris]

4. And Obama is both more charismatic, and it appears, further right than Clinton.

The experiment is going very well for Third Way in the '10s.

[Bandit]

5. What Platform?.....What do Democrats stand for?

It seems to me they fall for just about anything and stand for nothing..It would seem Obama has found his comfortable walking shoes and is walking hand in hand with the Republicans..

[CrossChris]

6. Exactly--that's Third Way's mission. Replace the platform with Dem-seeming personalities.

Have you ever seen those studies that show that people can semi-accurately guess people's party affiliation based on photos? Don't many of those Third Way sympathizing pols seem like Democrats, even when they're pushing right wing policies?

[kctim]

7. Interesting

So which of President Obama's beliefs go against the Democratic platform?

[CrossChris]

8. Protecting SS and Medicare for starters. What brings you here, if not the platform?

The top-rec'ed thread about the Krugman article in the NYT is a good primer on the economic side. If you're here and aren't familiar with the platform, I don't know what to tell you.

[kctim]

9. Oh, I am VERY familiar with the party platform

I am just not as familiar with President Obamas personal beliefs as you seem to be.
Tell me, does he personally believe that ALL Democrats must think alike and blindly follow or they are not "REAL" Democrats?

[CrossChris]

10. I'm talking about the conservative beliefs he's made public.

Through his speeches, books, press conferences, press releases, actions, etc.

[kctim]

11. And I simply asked for an example

[CrossChris]

12. You might want to check some of the other threads today. There's this story about proposed cuts

to SS, Medicare, and Medicaid. The fact that those are even on the table is his doing.

You know the list--Guantanamo, wiretapping, three wars and counting, no justice for Wall St. & war criminals, stance on MMJ, etc. I know you've been paying attention.

[kctim]

13. Yes, I have been paying attention

I just don't jump to conclusions based on emotional opinions and fear.
What President Obama wants and what President Obama can get are two different things. The former is based on emotion and the latter is based in reality.

[CrossChris]

14. Does it really look to you like Obama is trying to get all he can for our side on this?

If so, please tell me why I should come around to your point of view, which I would love to be able to believe.