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How To Make Ideological Shifts Happen

By Big Tent Democrat

At Open Left, Chris Bowers and David Sirota argue that (1) there has been an ideological shift in the nation; and (2)GOP mythmaking must be demolished. Fine. But how to do it? What is missing from most analysis on the Dem side (and part of this is due to the inability to understand the important shift Bill Clinton achieved - to wit, proving that Democrats can govern) is the importance of results when governing. Take this TPM e-mailer:

. . . Unfortunately for Jindal (and the country), Republicans used that same argument for decades . . . Simply put, his party has been the one controlling our government for a long, long time. The problem isn't government, it's Republican government - and everyone knows it.

Marshall's e-mailer completely writes Bill Clinton out of the history books. More . . .

What most amazes me in these debates is how some Democrats will not point to the Clinton example of governance as the proof of what Dems can and do do when in power. they also seem to be oblivious to the fact that the results of President Obama's policies will be the new measuring stick for Democrats. It's fun to make fun of Jindal and Republicans, but if anyone thinks that 4 years from now, people will be deciding who to vote forth based on Republican blather, they are sadly mistaken. Election are referendums on the party in power. That's the Dems now. The jolly past time of excoriating the GOP may be fun, but it is no longer a strong political tool.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 25, 2009 (boomark / email).