Are Republicans generally more motivated (fanatical) than Democrats?

[Toots]

It is my belief that there are far fewer Republicans than Democrats in America but Republicans are far more fanatical in their political beliefs and much much much more likely to go to the polls. If only Democrats could become so motivated.. This is why I don't believe Hacket really has much of a chance in Ohio. They expect only a fifteen percent turnout and usually that means solid Republican victory. What possibly could we do to wake America up to the fact that their participation is vital? Until we do everything will continue on the downhill spiral.

[rocktivity]

1. Yes--but the problem is, they're motivated BY their fanatacism.

:crazy:
rocknation

[Justitia]

2. No, they are simply more willing to force themselves on everyone else.

They are willing to lie, cheat and steal in their quest for power.
They consider it totally within their "value" system to coerce and bend others to their will.

Democrats are less inclined to use such gestapo tactics.

Obviously this does not fare well for us in stolen elections.
We must devise another system and demand it's use.
Those who call themselves Dems or even citizens and then don't bother to show up and vote don't deserve the benefits of democracy.

[soleft]

3. Fear is an intense motivator - Republicans are far more fearful

[Dhalgren]

4. Are criminals more aggressive than law abiding citizens?

Yes, I suppose they are...

[Algorem]

5. vandalism can be very energizing

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Not at all. Our problem is the "big tent".

Just take a look at DU. How many people here have their pet issue? And how many of them will outright refuse to vote for someone unless their pet issue is fulfilled?

Republicans, however, coalesce around war, taxes, and God. That's about it. Not a lot of diverging interests there, however, the rift between the taxes/war crowd and the God crowd could get rather touchy real soon.

[sendero]

9. Maybe..

... but really - there is a lot of bluster around here that is merely frustration being vented. I confess, for all my carping about certain Dem candidates - whoever gets the Dem nomination will get my vote for sure, and my money probably.

I don't think folks can be blamed too much for being frustrated with this Dem Congress. But when the rubber meets the road, I believe most of us, and myself for sure, will be pragmatic - voting Dem is the only relevant choice AT THE PRESENT TIME.

[atreides1]

7. Greed and Fear is what they use

I think it's more than that, the Republicans play on two human weaknesses, greed and fear.

They do everything they can to de-regulate controls on corporations, they try, they assist companies where they can, and funnel government
contracts to companies that provide monetary support.

They use fear to control the voters that support them, fear of difference, fear of the unknown. And in using that fear, they promote
hatred of gays, people of color, voter and civil rights, and they use
religion as a way of controlling their fanatics.

But mostly with Republicans, it's about power, they want power to control every aspect of a person's life.

Democrats are motivated, somewhat motivated, the problems for the Democrats is that we have our internal traitors, some call them the DLC, others refer to them them as Republican Lite, and still others call them DINOs, but no matter what they are called, they too want power. And they are willing to sell out the Democratic view in order to achieve thier agenda.

Before Democrats can become motivated and come up with a single message, they cancer known as the DLC has to be removed.

[warrens]

8. They don't have political beliefs

They just hate everyone who isn't exactly like them. The only coherent thing they can say is "I don't wanna pay no damn taxes." That's pretty much it. The rest is just religious bigotry, inchoate rage, anti-intellectual inferiority complexes, and racism.

But hate and the fear that those you hate are going to take over are pretty good motivators, as the GOP figured out long ago.

[Totally Committed]

10. They are definitely more fanatical.

They are defintely more motivated. (They don't want to just beat us, they want to annihilate us).

I am trying to keep good thoughts for Hackett. At some point, some break has to go our way. Could this be the day? I hope so.

[DURHAM D]

11. Wingnut Republican = "Faith", not fact, based value system.

"Faith" folks are required to proselytize for church and party.
Any available means of conversion/conquering evil is okay including lying, cheating and stealing. In other words, they do not have any restraint on method - lack of conscious is built into the equation.

Dems start out in the hole because a fact based argument is self governing.

[javadu]

12. I Am Pro-Choice, but . . .

I don't want to turn this thread into an argument about abortion, but I am was once a right-winger and I am just giving some insight into the mindset of repugs.

Republicans are motivated by the fact that they equate abortion with killing babies. It is a short trip to make from democrats = baby killers to democrats = evil. Moreover, people begin to view the repubs as baby defenders. This is why repubs vote against their own self-interests. It is why a prick like Bush can actually win an election. It is why Bush is a rockstar among the right wingers --- he is the defender of the babies. It is why he will not nominate a moderate for SCOTUS --- it will put his rockstar status in jeopardy.

As critical thinkers, I am surprised that so few democrats "get this." Put yourself in their shoes (I know it is scary) and think about whether or not you would vote for a babykiller. Please understand that many repubs actually believe this and that makes them VERY MOTIVATED AND FANATICAL. You would also be motivated and fanatical if you believed what they believe.

Please understand that my comments are just my take on the repub mindset. I am not one of those who think the democratic party should soften their stance on choice. But, they must do a better job of communicating to the uninformed.

I also understand that my comments don't apply to ALL repubs. But, they apply to ENOUGH repubs to make the difference in close elections.

[Sgent]

13. I completely agree

with your thought train on this -- and I don't know how to fight it particularly well.

I think a lot of people here either don't get or don't want to face that reality, and it makes approaching people a difficult one.

In all honesty, if I actually believed that an aboartion=baby killing, then I think I would morally have to oppose any pro-choice candidate at any turn. In my hypothetical mindset, the right to not be murdered would trump the woman's right to privacy.

With that mindset, how do we approach people successfully?

[bluedog]

14. No.not really

but they have the media at beck and call..they have the talking heads that give them more air time.the heads that let the right wingers talk and walk over the Democratic speakers...then they pop in and say.."thats all the time we have"

the media is the blame..the media is trying to dismantle the Democratic party...they would it seems just like to have 1 party system.= total dictatorship......