"Reaching across the aisle to get things done"

This is Lieberman's mantra, BUT the time for that tired old idea is LONG GONE..

For decades when democrats "ran the show", they could do/and did this often. It made for warm-fuzzy feelings, and there was a camaraderie in the senate/house. Legislators truly were friends, vacationed together, partied together...BUT those days are as gone as the wringer washing machine.

When there was an overwhelming majority of democrats, they were perfectly willing to share, since they knew they would always prevail on the important things, and they could afford to share.

When republicans took over, their margin has never been large, and being the petty, vindictive people they are these days (since Watergate, at least), they mouth the words, but there are two hands to every republican in congress.. One hand is offering a gentle handshake & a smile for the photo-op, and the other hand has the dagger...

The basic philosophy of the parties are at opposite ends of the spectrum, so this "across the aisle, to get things done" is total BULLSHIT.. The "things getting done" are things that shouldn't be getting "done".

THIS is why Lieberman is struggling. Most of the democratic constituency has seen the light.. they have figured out that most of the time it's best to keep your hands to yourself.. not quite so much of that "reaching across" thing... We have all endured decades of misnamed, devious "programs" that appear to be one thing in the press release, and are actually the opposite in practice..

If a republican offers you an ice cream sundae, those brown sprinkles on top just might NOT be chocolate.

Hard to do that when many people on the "other side" are calling you a traitor for having the AUDACITY to stand up to their unconstitutional activities, and insulting you at every turn.

No. What the Democrats need to do is find common ground with each other, and be ruthless when they run in 2006 and 8.
Ringo

Sort of a halfascist statergery if you asked me.

also in trouble with his Party? Wolff, Schneider, and Candy Crowley all talked about how this year, it seems northers moderates are in trouble in BOTH PARTIES! Back in 1994, it was Southern moderate Dems, and most lost their elections.

Maybe it's the PUBLIC that no longer wants ANY cooperation!

Edit: The Pub they were referring to is Chris Sheas.

to pet the nice doggy and bringing back a bleeding stump, the repukes have pretty much put an end to cooperation.

like the bully who beats the crap out of a kid every day after school, but once the kid has some friends holding the bully down, ready for HIS beating, he wants to "be friends"..

when they're up, forget you who needs you, turn the tables though and this is the biggest bunch of crybababies anywhere.

The Repubs make it very clear that they DON'T DO
the 'reaching across' thing. They are a monolithic Bloc
who declares that everyone is either WITH them
or AGAINST them, and there is no one in between.

Everyone they believe is AGAINST them is reviled and demonized,
while everyone WITH them is supported and loved.

Their LOVE of Joementum clearly shows
which side THEY believe he is on.

more specifically, it ended with Newt Gingrich's 1996 GOPAC memo:


Language: A Key Mechanism of Control

Newt Gingrich's 1996 GOPAC memo 

   As you know, one of the key points in the GOPAC tapes is that "language matters." In the video "We are a Majority," Language is listed as a key mechanism of control used by a majority party, along with Agenda, Rules, Attitude and Learning. As the tapes have been used in training sessions across the country and mailed to candidates we have heard a plaintive plea: "I wish I could speak like Newt."

   That takes years of practice. But, we believe that you could have a significant impact on your campaign and the way you communicate if we help a little. That is why we have created this list of words and phrases.

   This list is prepared so that you might have a directory of words to use in writing literature and mail, in preparing speeches, and in producing electronic media. The words and phrases are powerful. Read them. Memorize as many as possible. And remember that like any tool, these words will not help if they are not used.

   While the list could be the size of the latest "College Edition" dictionary, we have attempted to keep it small enough to be readily useful yet large enough to be broadly functional. The list is divided into two sections: Optimistic Positive Governing words and phrases to help describe your vision for the future of your community (your message) and Contrasting words to help you clearly define the policies and record of your opponent and the Democratic party.

   Please let us know if you have any other suggestions or additions. We would also like to know how you use the list. Call us at GOPAC or write with your suggestions and comments. We may include them in the next tape mailing so that others can benefit from your knowledge and experience.



Optimistic Positive Governing Words
   Use the list below to help define your campaign and your vision of public service. These words can help give extra power to your message. In addition, these words help develop the positive side of the contrast you should create with your opponent, giving your community something to vote for!
* active(ly)
* activist
* building
* candid(ly)
* care(ing)
* challenge
* change
* children
* choice/choose
* citizen
* commitment
* common sense
* compete
* confident
* conflict
* control
* courage
* crusade
* debate
* dream
* duty
* eliminate good-time in prison
* empower(ment)
* fair
* family
* freedom
* hard work
* help
* humane
* incentive
* initiative
* lead
* learn
* legacy
* liberty
* light
* listen
* mobilize
* moral
* movement
* opportunity
* passionate
* peace
* pioneer
* precious
* premise
* preserve
* principle(d)
* pristine
* pro- (issue): flag, children, environment, reform
* prosperity
* protect
* proud/pride
* provide
* reform
* rights
* share
* strength
* success
* tough
* truth
* unique
* vision
* we/us/our


Contrasting Words
   Often we search hard for words to define our opponents. Sometimes we are hesitant to use contrast. Remember that creating a difference helps you. These are powerful words that can create a clear and easily understood contrast. Apply these to the opponent, their record, proposals and their party.
* abuse of power
* anti- (issue): flag, family, child, jobs
* betray
* bizarre
* bosses
* bureaucracy
* cheat
* coercion
* "compassion" is not enough
* collapse(ing)
* consequences
* corrupt
* corruption
* criminal rights
* crisis
* cynicism
* decay
* deeper
* destroy
* destructive
* devour
* disgrace
* endanger
* excuses
* failure (fail)
* greed
* hypocrisy
* ideological
* impose
* incompetent
* insecure
* insensitive
* intolerant
* liberal
* lie
* limit(s)
* machine
* mandate(s)
* obsolete
* pathetic
* patronage
* permissive attitude
* pessimistic
* punish (poor ...)
* radical
* red tape
* self-serving
* selfish
* sensationalists
* shallow
* shame
* sick
* spend(ing)
* stagnation
* status quo
* steal
* taxes
* they/them
* threaten
* traitors
* unionized
* urgent (cy)
* waste
* welfare