Why reaching out to moderate Republican voters is not the same as selling out.

[Qutzupalotl]

There is a big difference between Republican voters and their elected officials.

The misguided people who voted for the Republican monstrosity of the last three decades are only indirectly responsible for the actions of their crooked elected officials. The weight of the responsibility, the majority of the blame for the gigantic fuckups, need to be laid on the officials, not the voters.

The crooks need to be prosecuted fully.

The voters need to be swayed.

Please consider this important distinction.

[tekisui]

1. Great points.

Voters need to be educated, informed and reached out to. Especially those who have been wandering in the darkness with puke leaders.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. Thanks, tekisui.

I can't tell you how many posts I've seen that blur this distinction and lump all Republicans together.

[krkaufman]

3. Further, reaching out to Republicans does not mean submission to the 25%ers.

Most independents and Republicans are equally weary of the influence of the Right Wing 25%ers, and are ripe for the picking. With the right candidate and message, many of these voters could be brought into a near-term coalition and educated on the flaws of globalization and unregulated free markets, leading to a long-term shift in our political dynamics.

[Qutzupalotl]

4. Right. If anything, it will marginalize the 25%ers.

And wouldn't that be sweet!

[krkaufman]

5. Exactly. And hopefully shift the debate to the Left of Center...

... rather than where it's been for going on 30 years.

[MagsDem]

6. Obama's mentor is Joe Lieberman

And he does talk about "working with" rethugs in congress. That's either a bunch of pandering rhetoric, or he is naive enough to actually believe it. Either way, it's why I won't vote for him.

[Qutzupalotl]

9. Working with the corrupt ones or the moderates?

I don't think they are all corrupt. Most, but not all.

[no name no slogan]

7. After the primaries, yes

But not before, or during the primaries.

Let DEMOCRATS pick our candidates, and let the Republicans pick theirs.

[MH1]

8. Bill McKibben wrote a great dailykos diary that discussed this

(For anyone who doesn't know: Who is Bill McKibben?)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/3/9431/41821

Here’s my guess, then, on what Obama’s talk about unity means: not that he’s a patsy who’s going to split the difference with the opposition on every issue. Instead, that he’s going to try and figure out how to run the political rapids differently, so that he avoids the obvious rocks in the water and instead find some new line through the white water. And there’s really one way to do that—try to engage far more Americans in taking part so you dilute the power of the special interests.

McKibben goes on to discuss that in a little more detail..and if you want substantive steps to get us there, take a look at Lawrence Lessig's endorsement of Obama.

[Qutzupalotl]

10. Thanks for the links!

[DebraK]

11. hillary doesnt believe in reaching out. she hates all those that don't vote for her.