1. "you have to talk to voters about what they're interested in, not what you are."Advice, I believe, that you would be well served to take yourself.

Posted by: hinton on July 29, 2008 11:27 PM

2. "you have to talk to voters about what they're interested in, not what you are."

Is that talk to the voters about 'what you are.', or 'what you are (interested in)'.
First and foremost any candidate should be interested in the voters; and the voters expect and want you to talk about just 'who you are' at least to some extent.
At least in our case here in Washington, both candidates seem to be doing just that, but one seems genuine and one seems slick [operative work 'seems']...therein lies the problem.
Sir Dino, were I your PR person I'd be spending some serious brainstorming on just how to overcome this image. :)

Posted by: Duffman on July 30, 2008 05:25 AM

3. Good read- It will be interesting to see if the Republican party can wake up and adopt some of the 'pandering' code speak used by liberals while still holding onto their core political philosophy of the 'Individual' before 'state'. Nannystate groupthinkers [especially in this enclave of Ignorance Washington state] will accept nothing other than Mother's hand (government) guiding them through life one day, one hour, one minute at a time making them feel safe, secure and loved by her swaddling hand.

I think it's safe to say the founding father's would be exceedingly disappointed in the direction this country has taken on its path to embrace self-imposed slavery to the state.

Posted by: Rick D. on July 30, 2008 06:34 AM

4. "The Conservatives in Britain are, like the Republicans in America, a right of center party. The parties differ on numerous issues, but what chiefly distinguishes them at the moment is the political situations they face. ."

The Tories are right of center in the UK.However the whole political spectrum is shifted to the left in Europe. There is no equivalent Tory platform against abortion, gay marriage etc.These things are not front and center for the UK electorate. The Tories are not looking to scrap popular programs like the pension system (SSI) or national health despite some real problems.

Posted by: ExPatBrit on July 30, 2008 06:56 AM

5. There is a conservative resurgence throughout Europe from Spain to France to Germany to name a few. Eight years of Bush II will tend to do that to you. It'll be a few years, but someday we will see how great Bush has been for the world and the USA.

It seems that at "this moment", you know, the one where the earth begins to heal and the seas begin to subside, our country is going backwards into the opposite direction. And it seems the backwards lookers are using old European politics as rationale.

Gosh, I know conservatives are staid, but I just despise how pea-brained Democrats are.

Posted by: swatter on July 30, 2008 07:30 AM

6. The way forward for conservatives has ALWAYS been to have strong principles and stick to them regardless of popularity. This is what Reagan did. This is what the GOP Congress did in 1994. And trying to pander to the voters is what ultimately led to that Congress' downfall in 2006.

Now granted, in 1994, the GOP Congress got elected not by pandering, but by highlighting the portions of their agenda that it thought the people might like.

But clearly, the Conservatives in the article were talking about avoiding and even changing views on the issues to make themselves more attractive.

This is the WRONG way to go. This is THE REASON the Republicans are in trouble now. The Republican base is already broad, it just isn't very vocal. When you pander that base dries up.

Posted by: pudge on July 30, 2008 07:58 AM

7. Republicans can win in this state if they talked the talk and walked the walk. Unfortunately the myth has been spread that to get elected you have to sound like a Democrat Lite. I know because I have talked to several of our leaders on the subject.
IF the Republicans would start stating IDEAS to fix the problems. Give alternatives. then point out that the GOvernor will not make a decision until after the election because she does not want to lose any support. Make bold stands and show ways to improve the state and get the State budget more under control.
Scream and yell that the excessive growth in government in the past 4 years can not be maintained. Hit hard on the 33% increase now showing Billions of dollars of gap in budget for next budget. May not have a solution to balance everything but make it clear they have ideas to help fix the situation while the Democrats ignore and want to spend even more money.
The question I have is why do politicians walk on egg shells with thier comments. Be bold and proclaim they want what is best for all of Washington not what is best for special interests.

Posted by: David Anfinrud on July 30, 2008 08:24 AM

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