NY-20: Yes, the GOP Is Trying to Seize the Populist Mantle From Democrats

by: David Sirota

Tue Mar 17, 2009 at 15:30


To those in Washington's Democratic circles who insist that Republicans will not try to outflank Democrats with a populist economic message and tar-and-feather Democrats for their ties to Wall Street, just watch this campaign ad from the special congressional election taking place in New York's 20th district:

I'm not sure this kind of thing is going to work just yet (and this ad in specific likely won't work because it's filled with lies and was pulled from the air) - but as I wrote in a recent column, I am sure Republicans are going to make a strategy out of portraying Democrats as too close to the financial industry. And if Democrats ultimately cede the populist mantle - whether by championing more no-strings-attached bailouts or by refusing to push stronger financial regulations - they will only help Republicans in the next elections.

David Sirota :: NY-20: Yes, the GOP Is Trying to Seize the Populist Mantle From Democrats

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NY-20: Yes, the GOP Is Trying to Seize the Populist Mantle From Democrats | 10 comments
What a surprise. (4.00 / 2)
When you have an administration made up of the failed financial elite, serving the goals of the failed financial elite, even the Republicans can SOUND populist. Truly a remarkable performance by Obama and the Democrats. Perhaps another round of pandering to the Republicans and Corporate America can help (after all the country is in crisis and the only ones who know anything are on the center-right, just where Obama has parked it).
They actually had to pull this ad because it was so rife with inaccuracies. (4.00 / 2)
The GOP is clearly banking on people being incredibly stupid. Leaving the lies aside, it doesn't even accuse him of outsourcing, just creating jobs in India. What a scandal.
Yeah (4.00 / 1)
This is a pretty poor example. This ad was pulled from the air because of lies.
Highly recommend listening to the audio (0.00 / 0)
of Scott Wheeler the guy running this bogus ad absolutely freaking out on the reporter at The Times Union for reporting on the ad being pulled.

You can check it out at the Times Unions Capital Confidential blog.

This is not an example of populist mantle but rather one of wing nut b.s and desparation.

"they actually put the welfare of corporate executives ahead of their own self-interest and the public interest at the same time." (4.00 / 1)
Yglesias on how popular unionization is (like so many other vitally needed things they won't even consider) --
... But while it should surprise nobody to learn that some Democrats put their own self-interest ahead of the broader public interest, the really striking fact about certain elements of the Democratic Party is that they actually put the welfare of corporate executives ahead of their own self-interest and the public interest at the same time.
 --- http://yglesias.thinkprogress....
It may or may not work for a campaign that happens in 2 weeks. (0.00 / 0)
It may or may not work for a campaign that happens in 2 weeks. What made conservative populism smart was that it focused on things that were long lasting. Gay marriage, immigration, abortion etc. Bonus money on bailouts though? I mean seriously, who is going to give a fuck that one percent of the bailout money went to bonuses by 2010. If unemployment is over 10 percent, I seriously doubt it's going to be mishandling of the bailout that's on everyone's minds. And if it's falling then no one will care about bailout missteps.
In short. The populist mantle isn't worth shit in the first place in this case.
David, they pulled this ad (0.00 / 0)
because it was full of lies. It would help to point that out...but I understand that would be counter to you guys' plan to help Tedisco win to serve some ridiculous purist purpose because Murphy isn't progressive enough for you. Yes, OpenLeft's attempts to sabatoge Murphy are well known in New York Democratic circles.  
Your totally crazy (0.00 / 0)
Sorry, that's the only response that can be given to your truly lunatic style assertion that anyone around here wants Tedisco and the Republicans to win.


[ Parent ]
You certainly don't want Murphy to win (0.00 / 1)
Chris, himself, is asking Democrats in the district to boycott the race so Murphy looses and you can get on high horse and claim it's because he wanted to be a Blue Dog.

Don't act like that's not true...and it has completely destroyed this site's credibility with many New York Democrats.  

[ Parent ]
. (0.00 / 0)
Well, when republicans start taking up your talking points, you're probably fucking up.
[ Parent ]
NY-20: Yes, the GOP Is Trying to Seize the Populist Mantle From Democrats | 10 comments
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