IGX

The compression of these ideological mood swings into four years has left an impression of political instability, perhaps bipolarity. Both parties overreach. Their tone is often frantic and overheated. They focus mainly on energizing the faithful rather than persuading the undecided.

Such polarization has deep roots. Parties, communities and regions have sorted themselves by ideology, producing citizens who operate in separate partisan worlds. Partisan media outlets succeed through the reinforcement and exaggeration of grievances. Most House members represent safe districts in which their greatest political fear is offending those who vote in primaries.

nafod wrote:From Gerson...

The compression of these ideological mood swings into four years has left an impression of political instability, perhaps bipolarity. Both parties overreach. Their tone is often frantic and overheated. They focus mainly on energizing the faithful rather than persuading the undecided.

Such polarization has deep roots. Parties, communities and regions have sorted themselves by ideology, producing citizens who operate in separate partisan worlds. Partisan media outlets succeed through the reinforcement and exaggeration of grievances. Most House members represent safe districts in which their greatest political fear is offending those who vote in primaries.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... ml?hpid=z3

I'll sometimes sit with my daughter (13) and for laughs we'll surf between Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow. Two alternate universes.

Obama arrived with limited experience on the national stage — only to find himself in the fight from the last act of Hamlet. He seemed surprised that Washington could not be changed by the force of his personality. He has become a sobered and hardened figure. A former public official who often interacted with Obama put it this way to me: “Obama disdains politicians and the art of politics, but he is highly competitive and wants to beat them at their own game.”

Turdacious wrote:The important part of the article:

Obama arrived with limited experience on the national stage — only to find himself in the fight from the last act of Hamlet. He seemed surprised that Washington could not be changed by the force of his personality. He has become a sobered and hardened figure. A former public official who often interacted with Obama put it this way to me: “Obama disdains politicians and the art of politics, but he is highly competitive and wants to beat them at their own game.”

All of the post-Ford presidents (with the exception of HW-- who wasn't reelected) were DC outsiders. The 'art of politics' is how you get things done.

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

As was appropriate and in his own self-interest. He makes $60M+/year, mostly from endorsements.

DrDonkeyLove wrote:

Turdacious wrote:The important part of the article:

Obama arrived with limited experience on the national stage — only to find himself in the fight from the last act of Hamlet. He seemed surprised that Washington could not be changed by the force of his personality. He has become a sobered and hardened figure. A former public official who often interacted with Obama put it this way to me: “Obama disdains politicians and the art of politics, but he is highly competitive and wants to beat them at their own game.”

All of the post-Ford presidents (with the exception of HW-- who wasn't reelected) were DC outsiders. The 'art of politics' is how you get things done.

So far, he's found a way via the force his rhetoric, his machine, and his allies in the MSM (and his caricature feckless Repug opposition) to succeed via a new formula of positive demonization of his opposition. He states his position in a lofty yet down home manner while painting his opposition in the worst light. His legion of media supporters then sound their assent in almost unison and he, once again, has the initiative.

I hate almost everything about his divisive and destructive self, but I have to give the devil his due. He's winning, handily.

Schlegel wrote:

DrDonkeyLove wrote:

Turdacious wrote:The important part of the article:

Obama arrived with limited experience on the national stage — only to find himself in the fight from the last act of Hamlet. He seemed surprised that Washington could not be changed by the force of his personality. He has become a sobered and hardened figure. A former public official who often interacted with Obama put it this way to me: “Obama disdains politicians and the art of politics, but he is highly competitive and wants to beat them at their own game.”

All of the post-Ford presidents (with the exception of HW-- who wasn't reelected) were DC outsiders. The 'art of politics' is how you get things done.

So far, he's found a way via the force his rhetoric, his machine, and his allies in the MSM (and his caricature feckless Repug opposition) to succeed via a new formula of positive demonization of his opposition. He states his position in a lofty yet down home manner while painting his opposition in the worst light. His legion of media supporters then sound their assent in almost unison and he, once again, has the initiative.

I hate almost everything about his divisive and destructive self, but I have to give the devil his due. He's winning, handily.

TBH, Republicans have not exactly been putting any effort into making themselves hard to caricature. Here in Virginia, just Monday they pushed through a 36 page amendment redistricting (in a non-Census year!) the State Senate with only 30 min debate after revealing the bill- because they knew it wouldn't pass if they gave State Senator Marsh time to return from the inauguration.

This was not a "minor readjustment" They moved 45% of voting age citizens into new districts. I'm seeing Republican editorialists and regulars shaking their heads over that one. One, because it's underhanded, and two, because they might really regret setting that precedent the next time they lose control of the legislature for 1 day. Scuttlebutt is the Governor (though an R) is steamed.

This emphasis on small victories now, and damn the cost, will hand the big victories to the Dems.

Andy79 wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

As was appropriate and in his own self-interest. He makes $60M+/year, mostly from endorsements.

So you saying he doesn't pay 63 cents on a dollar even on endorsements?

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Andy79 wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

As was appropriate and in his own self-interest. He makes $60M+/year, mostly from endorsements.

So you saying he doesn't pay 63 cents on a dollar even on endorsements?

I'm saying it was stupid to complain about his taxes. His income depends on being a likable guy.

Andy79 wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Andy79 wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

As was appropriate and in his own self-interest. He makes $60M+/year, mostly from endorsements.

So you saying he doesn't pay 63 cents on a dollar even on endorsements?

I'm saying it was stupid to complain about his taxes. His income depends on being a likable guy.

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

Yes I Have Balls wrote:

Andy79 wrote:Rich guys like Phil Nicholson pay 63 cents on every dollar in taxes in CA. He bitches about it publically. He's told to put up or shut up. So he apologizes.

Who in the fuck is Phil Nicholson?

this thread wrote:sucks