Robert Reich on why Democrats move to the center after midterms

[Klukie]

If Republicans succeed in taking over the House and come even close to gaining a majority in the Senate, expect calls for the President to “move to the center.” These will come not only from Republicans but also from conservative Democrats, other prominent Dems who have been defeated, Fox Republican News, mainstream pundits, and White House political advisers.

After the 1994 midterm, when Dems lost the House and Senate, Bill Clinton was told to “move to the center.” He obliged by hiring the pollster Dick Morris, declaring the “era of big government is over,” abandoning much of his original agenda, and making the 1996 general election about nothing more than V-chips in televisions and school uniforms.

It happened in the 1978 midterm when Dems lost ground and Jimmy Carter was instructed to “move to the center.” He obliged by firing his entire cabinet, apologizing for the errors of his ways, and making the 2000 general election about absolutely nothing.

Oddly, though, after Republicans suffer losses in the first midterms they pay no attention to voices telling them to move to the center. If anything, Ronald Reagan and the two Bushes moved further right.



http://robertreich.org/post/1398873669

[Ozymanithrax]

1. The President is at the center and center right...

So I guess that means he moves left.

This isn't an attack on Obama. All Democratic Presidents back through Carter have been center to center right. Johnson's Civil Rights act and Great Society agenda was the last left of center administration.

[zipplewrath]

4. This country doesn't even know "the left"

What passes for a "leftist" in this country is absurd. It merely means people who advocate for rights that people in other western countries just presume.

[Ozymanithrax]

I am in complete agreement with you. n/t

[emulatorloo]

6. I see him more center left, or maybe a pragmatist, but I guess there is no need to quibble.

At any rate, that's how he ran and that's how he voted as Senator, as slighly left of center.

Of course even Johnson was a mixed bag.

[zipplewrath]

2. He's already there

Dunno how much more of a centrist he could become.

[emulatorloo]

3. If the Teabags win big, some "Dem Strategist" will advice that the Democrats move to the right

This is why I don't get the "We need to send the Dems a message by sitting home or voting third party." The message they will get if bags win is that they need to move to the right.

[Jim Sagle]

16. No, it's NOT 'the message they will get', it's the message they've already written for themselves.

If the Pugs win, it means the Democrats didn't move far ENOUGH to the right. So they'll move to the right.

If the Dems win, it means their move to the right was a smart one. So they'll move to the right.

In reality, they'll move to the right because that's where the money is - or where it will be when they leave Congress for well-paid jobs in the private sector. They don't give two spits about America, its people, or even the Democratic party itself.

[emulatorloo]

19. The problem with your analysis is that you are forgetting Crossroads and the Chamber.

Those groups are spending money to get rid of Democrats for a reason, and it is not because the Democrats are not to the "right enough". If Dems win against that onslaught of dirty reactionary Republican money, Dems will get the message.

[Jim Sagle]

20. No, that IS the reason. It's obvious.

[emulatorloo]

21. So CrossRoads USA spending is a "Head Fake," they want people to vote for Democrats?

They are pouring money into my state attacking my liberal Democrat Rep and aiding the reactionary Teabag Republican because they really want my progressive rep to win?

Maybe I am misunderstanding you.

[Jim Sagle]

24. No, they're just greedy. Whatever the Dems fork over to them isn't enuf if they can

get the Pugs to fork over even more.

[and-justice-for-all]

5. When they should be bulldozing those pukes into the ground...nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Hell, they'd have to move sharp left just to reach "center".

[marmar]

8. No doubt.

As Bill Maher said, the Democrats have moved to the right, and the Republicans have moved into the asylum.

[Individualist]

12. Hear, hear!

[Vincardog]

13. Hell, they'd have to move sharp left just to SEE "center".

[City Lights]

14. That was my very first thought!

:fistbump:

[leftstreet]

15. +1

[racaulk]

23. Ayup.

:thumbsup:

[Fumesucker]

9. I'm not sure where the Dems are now but the current leftist rhetoric is strictly a "head fake" IMO..

They will move to the right of their current rhetoric after the election.

[kenny blankenship]

10. Because myopia is often followed with presbyopia and macular degeneration

[Greyhound]

11. The "No Win" is SOP and the clearest indication of the true agenda.

:kick: & R

[joeybee12]

17. Move to the center in 1994, and don't regain control of Congress until 12 years...

a WINNING strategy!

[OHdem10]

18. As smart as Reich is, does he not realize the President and

Congress have operated Right of Center.

[ibegurpard]

22. they're already PAST THE FUCKING CENTER!!!!