Democrats talk of a ‘permanent progressive majority’

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Echoing Karl Rove's words from four years ago, Democratic pollsters on Friday touted the creation of a “permanent progressive majority.”

“This was not just a change election, but a sea-change election,” Robert Borosage, co-director of the Campaign for America’s Future, said during remarks at the National Press Club. “This is the end of the conservative era.”

“What you’re seeing in the nation is the emergence of a center-left majority,” Borosage continued. “We are witnessing the creation of a permanent progressive majority.”

Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg agreed, saying that the United States is now “in a progressive period.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15407.html

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This notion is as foolish as it was when Karl Rove gloated about a "permanent Republican majority". We need to be prepared to defend our record and earn the support of the electorate every single year. As soon as we convince ourselves that support will come naturally, we start down the road to defeat.

[ogneopasno]

1. Oh, come on. Why are people saying such dumbass things? This is just foolish.

[BearSquirrel2]

16. It's VERY stupid, but here is what is smart ...

Here is what is smart. Increase the number of representatives in the house so all the low populated podunk states aren't over-represented. This will make it VERY hard for Republicans to retake the House in the foreseeable future and it will also make it harder to elect a Republican president.

[ck4829]

2. We can make our majority last as long as we work for it

[bluestateguy]

3. It is 1932 again

Economically AND politically.

[Warpy]

4. Talk like that just energizes the opposition

Those damned fools need to catch a clue about that. They also need to know that Obama isn't a progressive. He is, however, a pragmatist who might institute a few progressive programs.

Obama needs to address demand side economics ASAP. Only making things better for us will cause us to support his administration in 2012. Only if a small increase in taxes is offset by a moderate to large increase in sales will conservative businessmen be convinced.

You know the press won't give him a single break. They never do for our side.

[supernova]

9. Needs Tattooing on a few foreheads

"a pragmatist who might institute a few progressive programs."

:thumbsup:

[Warpy]

12. I'll take a pragmatist over a dogmatist any old day

even when the dogma agrees with my own.

If it doesn't work, it needs to be chucked, not "just try it a little longer, we just know it's going to work!"

[bananas]

20. Could be a bumper sticker

"My pragma just ran over your dogma."

[Eric J in MN]

5. The 2008 election results were bad in Minnesota.

No gains for Democrats in the US House.

No gains yet for US Senate (the Al Franken race is being re-counted.)

Only two seats gained so far for Minnesota State House (there will be re-counts.)

[kevinds13]

6. How 'bout we try governing FIRST.

Didn't the Repuke's shoot themselves in the foot with this kind of talk last time Congress shifted?!!? Christ.

[liberal N proud]

7. And in 4 or 8 years the reich wing will have regrouped and attacked

taking that majority away.

Majorities are never for ever.

[supernova]

8. Ugh. Shut up. Really

This kind of hubris is what brought down the GOP.

Just try practicing good government first. And for a long time.

Even if this might be true, that we are entering a new progressive era. That won't be apparent, for real, until we have been in it for a while and are enjoying the benefits of it by having a more free, more cooperative, safer, saner, more equal society.

[D-Lee]

10. Let's NOT take a page from Rove's playbook ...

How about hard work, thoughtful policies and evenhanded administration of government?

Let's work the plan first!

[Gman2]

11. It is a demographic fact.

The repubs have alienated women, blacks, hispanics, GLT etc., the poor, the ill and all that are not rich. Unless they can learn not to hate, they are cooked for life. Any gains they make HENCEFORTH, will be due to our missteps. We will patrol Obama and see to it that we dont go all repub. So far, I see very little engineering for hanky panky. I think we are going to run clean this time.

[Doremus]

13. It was the people who demanded progressiveness from FDR.

He didn't do it because he could, he did it because the people demanded it.

The more we hammer on the need for progressive values now, the better.

I still wouldn't have used the word "permanent" though because nothing is.

[bemildred]

14. "Time is a tailor specializing in alterations."

This sort of lack of humility is not a good sign.

[Vidar]

15. Not as long as Pelosi's in charge.

[customerserviceguy]

17. Well, these are pollsters

who all predicted an Obama victory (by varying degrees) and that sound you heard Tuesday night was them simultaneously letting their breath out when Pennsylvania was called for our guy.

I'm sure the next breath they inhaled got them a bit heady.

[rox63]

18. Considering how well that worked out for the repukes

I think they'd best keep foolish statements like that to themselves.

[yellowcanine]

19. Yeah yeah. Talk is cheap. Time to govern. Results will follow.

[qwlauren35]

21. Left of the right... but otherwise, no.

Obama is a centrist. Only those on the far right can't figure that out.

Sheesh!

[Zhade]

22. Um, first the Democratic party has to BECOME progressive.

NT!

[democracy1st]

23. BS there's nothing permanent in politics BS BS BS!!!

[Poseidan]

24. nothing is permanent

Whenever a politician uses the word permanent, you know they are bullshitting you (and possibly themselves also). The most permanent thing we have, legislatively speaking, is the Constitution. Obviously, the Constitutional will not be amended to ensure a progressive majority.

Besides, why would we stick with primitive bullshit anyway? Progressive... in 10 billion light-years, this old notion will be cave-man caliber nonsense.

[Jersey Ginny]

25. It's that arrogance that led to Repuke's being back in the minority

Just produce results Dems!!

[Dover]

26. Moyers and his guest will be discussing this tonight, I think.

Check it out on PBS.

[Beartracks]

27. Even Obama noted it in his victory speech...

The election result wasn't the change; the change is what we do going forward.

[unkachuck]

28. I like what you're saying and basicly agree....

"We are witnessing the creation of a permanent progressive majority."

....but it might be a bit premature to be shouting it out loud....history is strewn with '1000 Year Reich" predictions....

[Larkspur]

29. The nation has been leaning left of center since 2000

and possibly before. On the issues, people favor liberal-progressive positions, even if they won't call themselves liberals.

[Kingofalldems]

30. Stan don't go all Karl Rove-y on us