Well, it sounds like Jonah just reiterated the reasons, and mindset, that ensures the GOP will no longer be a major force for many years to come... He seems quite content with, and makes the case as to why, the GOP will not even attempt to attract more Hispanics, blacks, young people, suburban women, & even the more educated white males.

That's fine with me, if he's ok with the GOP becoming the last bastion of aging, conservative, white males, a kind of "private club", but one growing more & more politically impotent, as their constituency narrows & contracts. If in their "bitterness", they insist on "clinging" to their religious fundamentalism & oh, those big, shiny, so very sexy guns, as they fight the inevitable "browning" of America's citizenry, so be it..  

This commentary is a reflection of why the democrat party won't be the powerhouse that it promises to become.

The writer indicates that the GOP will fail to "attempt to attract more Hispanics, blacks, young people, suburban women, & more educated white males."

Well, the Dems have outspent and outmarketed the Republicans, but still come off as elitiist.

To imply that McCain supporters can't be part of the group that represents "more educated white males" is prone to cost the Dems the cross-over support from "educated white males" who might now be willing to back Barack.

Why? Because we don't like the tone of Dems who would question our intelligence for voting McCain. Call it intellectual bigotry, call it elititsm, call it what you want.... the bottom line is that it is narrow minded and it floats like a brick.

Remember, Dems, McCain secured 46% of the popular vote. Many cast their vote for a not for a party, but for a belief that a vote for a white man does not consitute a vote against one who is black.

Too call us "stupid" for supporting experience and integrity over smoke, mirrors and a slick, well-funded political machine is indicative of the narrow world-view of today's democrat party.

Embrace "Jackalopism" and reference Ramage's jackalope piece (while I groom my blood-stained antlers!)
 

1. "This writer" only restated what Goldberg said, and other Republicans have said, plus, it's only an empirical statement, not my opinion or prediction. They simply have not reached out to be more inclusive, and Jonah is merely giving justification for that self-destructive course...

2. I said nothing about "McCain supporters" can't be "educated white males". First of all, many of his supporters are moderate, independents, & even some Dems, they are not the mainstream, "base" of the GOP, those that Jonah wish to make up the bulk of the party...

3. Who said you were "stupid" for preferring McCain? Or racist? You are the one casting negative aspersions on the president-elect, guess it hurts, huh?

And I guess YOU are the one calingl Obama supporters the "stupid ones", since we were all so dumb, falling for the "smoke & mirrors", & that "slick, machine-run campaign".

Interesting how you are concerned with Dems not getting "crossover support" by calling McCain supporters stupid, but obviously not concerned with the GOP winning over any "crossover support", as you demean all Obama voters...

4. Same with your dislike of the "tone" of Dems, You judge it as "narrow-minded, intellectual bigotry & elitism", when they "question your intelligence" for voting for McCain, yet the shoe fits quite well on the other foot, doesn't it?

5. Finally, the ultimate conundrum here, is your reasoning as to why you feel the Democrat party won't be the powerhouse it promises to become, (despite the many reasons given by numerous REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE commentators & politicians).

If talking a negative tone, implying those who voted for McCain are not intelligent (although if you call intelligent people "elitists", why would you wish to be included), and being dumb enough to be hoodwinked by a slick campaign, and candidate who is nothing more than "smoke & mirrors" is your criteria for a short run, (despite the substantial victory, influx of millions of energized, young & new voters, etc.), well then the GOP is in even more hot water...

Just FYI, I am NOT a Democrat, did not vote for a party, and have many problems with much of what they have & have not done, over the years. However, I do feel the Republicans have screwed things up more badly than I've seen in my 50+ years on the planet, and four more years of them at the wheel was a very nightmarish thought.

So, as an Independent, I as you, am not exactly heartened, & full of warm feelings towards the GOP, by being called all kinds of names, hearing shouts of "kill him", "he's a terrorist", & other hateful rants at McCain/Palin rallies,, & never-ending accusations of Obama being an Arab, a Muslim, a terrorist, anti-America, and not even a US citizen.

Now we'll see if all these years of being scolded for criticizing Bush & his policies, as "attacking & not respecting" the president, will be accurate reflections of your party-members' true beliefs, or just more hypocritical lies....  

Thanks Steven, I needed that. You pointed out that I find the Dems “tone objectionable”. You made that observation as you were probably feeling that my own “tone” was less than complimentary. You’ve shown me my own hypocrisy.

I like this observation that you made: “although if you call intelligent people "elitists", why would you wish to be included [in the group of people considered intelligent]?” Very good.

Maybe there’s a manner that some “intelligent people” use of talking down to folks that smacks of elitism? Here, we’re talking about a very subtle sort of “hate-speech” that’s rather covert. Sometimes it’s intentional and sometimes it’s not.

Furthermore, when one detects this “subliminal smart-guy elitism” they may be on to something real, or they may be just imagining it. So, why the hell belabor it? It’s like arguing about leprecauns or unicorns.

I don’t consider myself particularly smart (I know… good thing) but I’m not easily duped. I think that’s what’s happened to a lot of people who voted for Pres. Elect Obama. Does that make me think that I’m “smarter than” some Obama voters? Honestly, yeah.

His camp effectively painted McCain as Bush. He spent a great deal of money doing it (the most ever by a long shot). This is not why everyone that voted for Sen. Obama voted for him, but the margin was slim enought that you could argue that that is what got him elected.

So, do I think Obama voters were stupid? Depends on why he/she voted for Obama/Biden. Since I can’t know the answer to that I question, I reckon I ought not judge.

Odds are they are neither my intellectual inferior nor much smarter than I. So why worry about it?

Well, here’s the rub. McCain supporters have been hammered with these “you must be either stupid or a racist” garbage for too long. I get my hackles up when someone would question my motives for voting for a white guy just because there’s a black guy in the other column. That’s, well, just a little presumptuous.

There was an interesting “Boston Legal” episode last night. Did you see it?

A worker was fired for being stupid. The case went to court and it was determined that the employee was deemed stupid by her boss because she voted for McCain. The ruling was that the firing was justified because the employee was indeed stupid.

There’s this cultural undercurrent that’s almost celebrating the ability of those who got on the Obama band-wagon to feel justified in calling us stupid. I’m sorry, but the only one’s who are stupid are the one’s who didn’t vote.

The whole debate is 1) polarizing and 2) moot. Which is why I think your' very good post ended on an unfortunate note, Steven.

Let's not wait to see how those who criticize Pres. Obama are treated and expect to draw some conclusions or comparisons.. . . Let it go. I know there were those who questioned your patriotism but there was also a great deal of rhetoric on the other side that was just plain disrespectful and un-called-for.

The rampant tearing down of our politicians has set the stage for us to tear down those who voted for them equally. Frankly, I’m tired of the little barbs and insinuations as much as the blatant name calling, if not more so.

Maybe I’m being hyper-sensitive. Like the skin on a hand rubbed raw in the process of trying to remove some unseemly adhesive grime. Have I become thin-skinned to the nuances of rhetoric which may or may not be intended as a personal insult?

I’m making a concerted effort to keep a civil tongue, be respectful of all people and their opinions, and practice empathy. It’s hard. But if we can all try, and sometimes succeed, we can avoid the critical mass of BS that is finally trying to blow over. I think we need to give each other a break.
 

Good points Drew, and as you can see, a very sticky & complicated subject, especially if looked into more deeply. I share with you your disgust at how we've allowed the political process to become patently distasteful, far too invested with personal animus, & all the while the media's role (& I mean 98% of the whole bunch of them) was to distract, fan the fires of personal warfare, and pretend they weren't the one squirting the lighter fluid!

And hey, as I think I mentioned before, there are enough blinders-wearing "true believers" on both sides to make it all a horrible mess. But the worst thing is it takes us away from putting the focus on what is best for the COUNTRY, not just someone's PARTY, or SINGLE ISSUE, or only what best puts money in their pockets! Plus it keeps the public distracted away from both our jobs as citizens, and the press's obligation, to keep a watchful eye on the doings of our government!

I think there's been so little real news broadcast in these last two years of the "Endless Campaign", replaced with panels of talking heads sitting around "speculating" (& I'm being polite here), meanwhile the government is doing who knows what, cause we ain't looking!

PS
If that storyline is for real, from Boston Legal, then even I'm a bit disappointed. I've seen that show be too preachy countless times, and even if I may agree with some of the positions, it's not good television...

 

S: Now that the country seems to be moving "back toward the middle", maybe the rhetoric won't be too far behind! As long as keeping the fever pitch is good for ratings, however, that will be a tough sell.

Sounds as if you're finally ready to pick up the "Country First" mantra. Dang, you could've done that sooner, Dude!

Seriously, I hear what you're saying about the "far left and far right" being well-stocked with stalwarts. Now might be the time to bring some of the less tainted ones back to us; from the left and the right to the center and away from single-issues.

The more moderate need a place to belong. If we form a "centrist coalition of the reasonable", fewer will feel the need to join the radical and fundamental minions.

Hey, maybe that's happening already and we're a part of it? Maybe Pres. Obama can facilitate?

In that vein, I'm hoping he sees the wisdom in choosing someone other than Hillary for Sec. of State.