Author blames Rove for severe polarization of politics.

[napi21]

I was listening to a progressive talk program on Sirius radio this AM. The topic turned to "When did this severe polarization begin, how, by whom, and how can we change it?

Sorry I don't recall the Author's name. He said it began with Karl Rove in 2004. He said you concentrate on your activist voters. Gin 'em up, get them to detest the opposition, and make sure they vote.

The author said he cannot think of a way to change that until someone comes up with another way to win elections.

Here is a link to more detailed explanation of the plan and how it works.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/architect/rove/2004.html

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. He is correct.

and Dems under-estimated Rove, partly because he did not mind staying in the shadows.
That is what made him and Cheney so effective...

rove's paws were felt here in Ala, resulted in our state having very few Dems who will even run for office.

[Exultant Democracy]

2. Rove is just one of Lee Atwater's acolytes

Lee is the man who had the plan. Everything from Rush to Rove to Fox news was part of his long term vision for America. Check out the list of deplorable that came out of the college republicans from back in the 70's when he stated to maneuver the GOP down this path.

[dalton99a]

6. And Roger Stone was a partner of Lee Atwater

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Newt Gingrich preceded Karl Rove.

Gingrich introduced Contract for America and made the republican party truly partisan. He discouraged his party from partnering with democrats for compromise, bipartisanship. He was convinced that the party could shift to pure conservatism, away from the moderate republicans, through primaries and money allocation and pass legislation without the assistance of a single democratic vote, save for democrats in red or purple states. Even those votes were unnecessary.

Prior to Gingrich, republicans and democrats could disagree, be respectful, socialize together, go to dinner together, visit each other's homes, etc. One of the more legendary friendships was between Teddy Kennedy and Orrin Hatch. Now, if any republican tries that nonpartisan society, they are more or less threatened to be primaried.

[louis-t]

7. Gingrich was the guy who came up with

making repugs say "obstructionist Daschle" and "burdensome regulation" as a form of brain-washing. I probably still have his list somewhere.

[NurseJackie]

4. Are the "activist voters" of the left more interested in WINNING an election, or ...

... or do they still prefer to "send a message" while losing? You know, the Susan Sarandon types... voting for the candidate they know (in their hearts) has absolutely NO chance of winning.

In that regard, I believe the right-wingers will always have the advantage. Even though they may be goobs and hayseeds, they're loyal to the party that actually has a chance of winning.

Our left-wingers, enhhh.... not so much.

[Adrahil]

5. I think he is wrong.

This has roots in the Southern Strategy and went into high gear in the 90's with right-wing talk radio. Rove was a symptom, not a cause, IMO.