Is it too late for the GOP to defeat Identity Politics?

[Agit8r]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Meanwhile, the GOP has assisted the Democrats in their endeavors in two ways: by doing little to counter that tactic, and by being terrifically lousy messengers.

The GOP message (at least as I see it) should be something like, "We don't believe in dividing America into little pieces. We believe that we are all Americans who deserve the same rights and liberties, no one more than the other, to chase our dreams and build our future. We believe that when we're divided we are weaker."

Instead, the lousier messengers have made the GOP easy pickins for the Dems, refusing to bend an inch on safety net issues, giving a strong impression that they want the abject elimination of ALL government services, painting a nice, big target on their backs.

So, is it too late for the GOP to convince the individual groups -- pretty much owned by the Dems -- that their way is better?

.

WTF!? Are you serious? The GOP has been using divide and conquer tactics for decades. It isn't endemic to Democrats only. Fear and division is one of the GOP's biggest tactics. They sell the fear of racial and religious minorities, immigrants, gays, poor people, unions, working class, etc to their followers. The problem now is that the groups the GOP demonizes now outnumber the groups the GOP represents. They already had the difficult task of getting people to vote against their own economic self interest. Now they compound that difficulty by blaming society's problems on the people in these segments and somehow expect to get their votes.

It's like a replay of the 2012 election. If someone says "we have a message problem." The response is to say "the only message problem is what you're saying about our message." And the result is a mindset of "stick to our guns" rather than "maybe we should rethink exactly why our message/position is what it is."

Well, parties being what they are, they are bound to try to utilize whatever demographics can be utilized to allow them to serve the monied interests that they are beholden to.

 

[Remodeling Maidiac]

The GOP doesn't need to say anything. Those so eagerly divided along race, gender & economics won't listen anyway. Bribes and lies make the stupid feel comfortable

 

[bendog]

WTF!? Are you serious? The GOP has been using divide and conquer tactics for decades. It isn't endemic to Democrats only. Fear and division is one of the GOP's biggest tactics. They sell the fear of racial and religious minorities, immigrants, gays, poor people, unions, working class, etc to their followers. The problem now is that the groups the GOP demonizes now outnumber the groups the GOP represents. They already had the difficult task of getting people to vote against their own economic self interest. Now they compound that difficulty by blaming society's problems on the people in these segments and somehow expect to get their votes.

It's like a replay of the 2012 election. If someone says "we have a message problem." The response is to say "the only message problem is what you're saying about our message." And the result is a mindset of "stick to our guns" rather than "maybe we should rethink exactly why our message/position is what it is."

Well, parties being what they are, they are bound to try to utilize whatever demographics can be utilized to allow them to serve the monied interests that they are beholden to.

ummmmm, yeah. But today's gop message problem is akin to the dems in 68-72 and into 80. It's what the faithful want to hear, but it's irrelevant to actually solving any problems.

For example, taking Rick Perry as today's poster child for idiocy, at least one has to give him kudos for standing up and actually saying the Texas bill was about eliminating abortions, rather than protecting women. But, then he didn't stop there. He went on to say Wendy Perry should reflect upon her mother's decision, and her decision, to bear kids. Perhaps Perry was unaware that Davis was married when she gave birth to her daughter. Rick Perry's lack of humiltiy, to say nothing of basic manners, aside - Davis is not your prototypical 19 year old single female raising a child. She's a bit above average to pull her life together.

So, perhaps the problem isn't in not having enough really smart young women. Maybe it's about having too many unplanned, unwanted pregnancies. The Gop's solution: LET'S CLOSE ALL THE ABORTION CLINICS. Nevermind, the cost of rearing a child. Nevermind, the cost of birthing a child, especially a child to a younger women .. or even a child. Nevermind, the cost of neo-natal care.

For JESUS' SAKE (quite literally) let's not open MORE clinics to hand out cheap contraceptives and even, HEAVENS FORBID, morning after pills without RX's. Hell, let's not go down that road to gommorah.

So, even if a sane person thinks there are too many abortions, when the gop speaks, the sane response is: WTF?

 

[rightwinger]

The GOP doesn't need to say anything. Those so eagerly divided along race, gender & economics won't listen anyway. Bribes and lies make the stupid feel comfortable

What are the GOP views on race, gender, economics, age, religion, occupations, locality and thousands of other factors affecting you voting decisions?

Cut taxes and shut the fuck up?

 

[JakeStarkey]

Nay, oppose abortion and gay marriage.

 

[bendog]

The GOP doesn't need to say anything. Those so eagerly divided along race, gender & economics won't listen anyway. Bribes and lies make the stupid feel comfortable

What are the GOP views on race, gender, economics, age, religion, occupations, locality and thousands of other factors affecting you voting decisions?

Cut taxes and shut the fuck up?

And lay back, close your eyes and enjoy it.

 

[Mac1958]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Meanwhile, the GOP has assisted the Democrats in their endeavors in two ways: by doing little to counter that tactic, and by being terrifically lousy messengers.

The GOP message (at least as I see it) should be something like, "We don't believe in dividing America into little pieces. We believe that we are all Americans who deserve the same rights and liberties, no one more than the other, to chase our dreams and build our future. We believe that when we're divided we are weaker."

Instead, the lousier messengers have made the GOP easy pickins for the Dems, refusing to bend an inch on safety net issues, giving a strong impression that they want the abject elimination of ALL government services, painting a nice, big target on their backs.

So, is it too late for the GOP to convince the individual groups -- pretty much owned by the Dems -- that their way is better?

.

WTF!? Are you serious? The GOP has been using divide and conquer tactics for decades. It isn't endemic to Democrats only. Fear and division is one of the GOP's biggest tactics. They sell the fear of racial and religious minorities, immigrants, gays, poor people, unions, working class, etc to their followers. The problem now is that the groups the GOP demonizes now outnumber the groups the GOP represents. They already had the difficult task of getting people to vote against their own economic self interest. Now they compound that difficulty by blaming society's problems on the people in these segments and somehow expect to get their votes.

We obviously have different definitions of the term "Identity Politics", so I'll try to be more specific, even though I suspect you know what I meant.

My question, to conservatives, is whether it is too late for them to try to copy the Democrats' strategy of pandering to blacks, hispanics, women and gays (the Big Four of Identity Politics as I define it), and whether it would be smarter to clearly enunciate a different approach, that we're all Americans with the same goals and dreams, and that the divisive nature of Identity Politics is destructive. Personally, I think it's too late.

I know that lefties, for some reason, want to deny and/or divert away from their clear success with Identity Politics - a divided, hyphenated America - and that's fine. Denial and diversion are two fundamental tactics of partisan ideology, and I'm not going to burn time playing that game. We're sure as hell divided, it's working great.

And that's why my question is directed to the conservatives.

.

 

[LoneLaugher]

The above post suggests that our current state of divisiveness is due to the left's success in prosecuting a divisive plan of identity politics and "pandering" to blacks, Hispanics, women and gays.

I call bullshit. There is absolutely no evidence presented which supports such an absurd claim.

This would be a good time for the resident fence sitters to come along and opine about how "both sides do it" and "both parties are equally to blame".

Oops! The supreme fence sitter is the one who made this bullshit claim. Oh my!

Earmuffs!

 

[Borillar]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Meanwhile, the GOP has assisted the Democrats in their endeavors in two ways: by doing little to counter that tactic, and by being terrifically lousy messengers.

The GOP message (at least as I see it) should be something like, "We don't believe in dividing America into little pieces. We believe that we are all Americans who deserve the same rights and liberties, no one more than the other, to chase our dreams and build our future. We believe that when we're divided we are weaker."

Instead, the lousier messengers have made the GOP easy pickins for the Dems, refusing to bend an inch on safety net issues, giving a strong impression that they want the abject elimination of ALL government services, painting a nice, big target on their backs.

So, is it too late for the GOP to convince the individual groups -- pretty much owned by the Dems -- that their way is better?

.

WTF!? Are you serious? The GOP has been using divide and conquer tactics for decades. It isn't endemic to Democrats only. Fear and division is one of the GOP's biggest tactics. They sell the fear of racial and religious minorities, immigrants, gays, poor people, unions, working class, etc to their followers. The problem now is that the groups the GOP demonizes now outnumber the groups the GOP represents. They already had the difficult task of getting people to vote against their own economic self interest. Now they compound that difficulty by blaming society's problems on the people in these segments and somehow expect to get their votes.

We obviously have different definitions of the term "Identity Politics", so I'll try to be more specific, even though I suspect you know what I meant.

My question, to conservatives, is whether it is too late for them to try to copy the Democrats' strategy of pandering to blacks, hispanics, women and gays (the Big Four of Identity Politics as I define it), and whether it would be smarter to clearly enunciate a different approach, that we're all Americans with the same goals and dreams, and that the divisive nature of Identity Politics is destructive. Personally, I think it's too late.

I know that lefties, for some reason, want to deny and/or divert away from their clear success with Identity Politics - a divided, hyphenated America - and that's fine. Denial and diversion are two fundamental tactics of partisan ideology, and I'm not going to burn time playing that game. We're sure as hell divided, it's working great.

And that's why my question is directed to the conservatives.

.

The GOP has been using "Guns, God, and gays" as a rallying cry for their own identity politics. They just pander to different groups, specifically, whites, gun owners, Christian fundamentalists, and the wealthy.

The divided, hyphenated America you see is as much a result of GOP identity politics as it is Democratic. It isn't too late for the GOP to "copy" the Democrats as they have already been doing the same for decades.

It would be nice to see the approach you speak of, but I doubt we will ever see it from either of the major parties.

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Incorrect.

Democrats realized success when they marginalized the left and moved more toward the middle. There was no ‘marketing’ to ethnic & economic groups, or any other groups, for that matter – republicans alone succeeded in driving racial and ethnic minorities to the democrats in droves, just as they’re compelling Hispanics to vote democratic currently.

In order for the GOP to realize success, they need to follow suit: marginalize the extreme right and move more toward the middle.

That won’t happen, of course; at least not anytime soon.

 

[Londoner]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Dividing into groups?

I love America because of the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the National Park System and Jazz. I believe that the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were abominations that caused the needless slaughter of innocent American Soldiers.

I want future generations to grow up with the freedoms and opportunities I had. I love this country.

Your party treats me like a traitor merely for being a Democrat - because I have different political and religious beliefs. Your party divides people by sexual orientation, making our gay brothers and sisters feel like second class citizens.

Rather than being an American or a human being, you call people Liberals in the pejorative.

Not only do you divide people with your toxic culture war, you deny them the right to be proud Americans who love their country just as much as you.

Your party, in its current state, is one of the most divisive things on this planet. Your post is insane.

The reason this country can't make any progress is because your side has convinced its members that the Left is evil - so evil in fact that you can't even support legislation that was first proposed by a Republican, but is now being championed by a Democrat. Every day on talk radio we hear venom spewed at the Left, many of them hard working families just trying to make a better life for themselves and their children, like you.

Stop dividing people.

 

[Mac1958]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Dividing into groups?

I love America because of the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the National Park System and Jazz. I believe that the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were abominations that caused the needless slaughter of innocent American Soldiers.

I want future generations to grow up with the freedoms and opportunities I had. I love this country.

Your party treats me like a traitor merely for being a Democrat - because I have different political and religious beliefs. Your party divides people by sexual orientation, making our gay brothers and sisters feel like second class citizens.

Rather than being an American or a human being, you call people Liberals in the pejorative.

Not only do you divide people with your toxic culture war, you deny them the right to be proud Americans who love their country just as much as you.

Your party, in its current state, is one of the most divisive things on this planet. Your post is insane.

The reason this country can't make any progress is because your side has convinced its members that the Left is evil - so evil in fact that you can't even support legislation that was first proposed by a Republican, but is now being championed by a Democrat. Every day on talk radio we hear venom spewed at the Left, many of them hard working families just trying to make a better life for themselves and their children, like you.

Stop dividing people.

You don't know my politics. I'd make one lousy Republican. Not everything is as simple as you want it to be, unfortunately.

If you like a hyphenated America, that's your call. If you want us divided into little groups so that our "leaders" can pit us against each other (by the color of their skin, for example) you have exactly what you want. If you want to divert from my question to Republicans, that's up to you. If you want to ignore a point I've made multiple times - that I think we should all ultimately be one -- have you ever heard the phrase "E Pluribus Unum"? -- with the same goals and desires and rights and opportunities, I'm not surprised at all. If you want to blame "the other guys" for everything, well, that's par for the course.

You have what you want, a hyphenated America, yet you're still complaining. Why is that?

And I certainly notice you didn't even try to answer the question. I never really expect straight answers to direct questions. I do get lucky sometimes.

.

 

[LoneLaugher]

What di I tell ya, Londoner?

It is so easy to see. By proposing policies that are attractive to minorities, women of all races and gay people of all races.......which just happen to be attractive to young people of all races and college educated people of all races, the Democratic Party has successfully divided the country into little groups.

None of the policies that are found in the DNC platform appeal to more than one of these groups....let alone all of them. But somehow.....there is enough "stuff" in there to buy the collective votes of all of them.

The fact that the GOP turns its nose up at any opportunity to genuinely open their tent......and continues to publish a platform fife with policies that do not appeal to minorities, women and gays.......and in turn are a turn off to young people and highly educated people.....has ABSOLUTLELY nothing to do with the fact that they cannot get these votes.

And.....lets not get started on how the media helps the Democrats market their wide open platform and helps demonized the GOP for their closed, retarded one. Those bastards!

 

[tinydancer]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Meanwhile, the GOP has assisted the Democrats in their endeavors in two ways: by doing little to counter that tactic, and by being terrifically lousy messengers.

The GOP message (at least as I see it) should be something like, "We don't believe in dividing America into little pieces. We believe that we are all Americans who deserve the same rights and liberties, no one more than the other, to chase our dreams and build our future. We believe that when we're divided we are weaker."

Instead, the lousier messengers have made the GOP easy pickins for the Dems, refusing to bend an inch on safety net issues, giving a strong impression that they want the abject elimination of ALL government services, painting a nice, big target on their backs.

So, is it too late for the GOP to convince the individual groups -- pretty much owned by the Dems -- that their way is better?

.

The problem is the "in the beltway" Roves. They don't care who is elected as long as they are still on the dance card.

 

[tinydancer]

What di I tell ya, Londoner?

It is so easy to see. By proposing policies that are attractive to minorities, women of all races and gay people of all races.......which just happen to be attractive to young people of all races and college educated people of all races, the Democratic Party has successfully divided the country into little groups.

None of the policies that are found in the DNC platform appeal to more than one of these groups....let alone all of them. But somehow.....there is enough "stuff" in there to buy the collective votes of all of them.

The fact that the GOP turns its nose up at any opportunity to genuinely open their tent......and continues to publish a platform fife with policies that do not appeal to minorities, women and gays.......and in turn are a turn off to young people and highly educated people.....has ABSOLUTLELY nothing to do with the fact that they cannot get these votes.

And.....lets not get started on how the media helps the Democrats market their wide open platform and helps demonized the GOP for their closed, retarded one. Those bastards!

You call it a tent. I call it pandering to any group and lying your ass off to get their votes.

That defines a Democrat.

 

[tinydancer]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Dividing into groups?

I love America because of the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the National Park System and Jazz. I believe that the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were abominations that caused the needless slaughter of innocent American Soldiers.

I want future generations to grow up with the freedoms and opportunities I had. I love this country.

Your party treats me like a traitor merely for being a Democrat - because I have different political and religious beliefs. Your party divides people by sexual orientation, making our gay brothers and sisters feel like second class citizens.

Rather than being an American or a human being, you call people Liberals in the pejorative.

Not only do you divide people with your toxic culture war, you deny them the right to be proud Americans who love their country just as much as you.

Your party, in its current state, is one of the most divisive things on this planet. Your post is insane.

The reason this country can't make any progress is because your side has convinced its members that the Left is evil - so evil in fact that you can't even support legislation that was first proposed by a Republican, but is now being championed by a Democrat. Every day on talk radio we hear venom spewed at the Left, many of them hard working families just trying to make a better life for themselves and their children, like you.

Stop dividing people.

Fuck you.

Paula Deen is the perfect example your evil on the left. Crush. Kill. Get her off the air. Stop Walmart from having her products.

You are the evil and disgusting ones.

 

[Seawytch]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Dividing into groups?

I love America because of the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the National Park System and Jazz. I believe that the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were abominations that caused the needless slaughter of innocent American Soldiers.

I want future generations to grow up with the freedoms and opportunities I had. I love this country.

Your party treats me like a traitor merely for being a Democrat - because I have different political and religious beliefs. Your party divides people by sexual orientation, making our gay brothers and sisters feel like second class citizens.

Rather than being an American or a human being, you call people Liberals in the pejorative.

Not only do you divide people with your toxic culture war, you deny them the right to be proud Americans who love their country just as much as you.

Your party, in its current state, is one of the most divisive things on this planet. Your post is insane.

The reason this country can't make any progress is because your side has convinced its members that the Left is evil - so evil in fact that you can't even support legislation that was first proposed by a Republican, but is now being championed by a Democrat. Every day on talk radio we hear venom spewed at the Left, many of them hard working families just trying to make a better life for themselves and their children, like you.

Stop dividing people.

Fuck you.

Paula Deen is the perfect example your evil on the left. Crush. Kill. Get her off the air. Stop Walmart from having her products.

You are the evil and disgusting ones.

You're not actually serious with the above post are you?

 

[Mac1958]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Meanwhile, the GOP has assisted the Democrats in their endeavors in two ways: by doing little to counter that tactic, and by being terrifically lousy messengers.

The GOP message (at least as I see it) should be something like, "We don't believe in dividing America into little pieces. We believe that we are all Americans who deserve the same rights and liberties, no one more than the other, to chase our dreams and build our future. We believe that when we're divided we are weaker."

Instead, the lousier messengers have made the GOP easy pickins for the Dems, refusing to bend an inch on safety net issues, giving a strong impression that they want the abject elimination of ALL government services, painting a nice, big target on their backs.

So, is it too late for the GOP to convince the individual groups -- pretty much owned by the Dems -- that their way is better?

.

The problem is the "in the beltway" Roves. They don't care who is elected as long as they are still on the dance card.

It sure does seem like someone, somewhere, has a vested interest in stopping the mainstream GOP from taking Identity Politics head on. I don't know if they're afraid, intimidated or misguided, but the party just seems to have zero answer to it. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and the demographics don't favor them.

.

 

[tinydancer]

Dividing into groups?

I love America because of the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the National Park System and Jazz. I believe that the Vietnam and Iraq Wars were abominations that caused the needless slaughter of innocent American Soldiers.

I want future generations to grow up with the freedoms and opportunities I had. I love this country.

Your party treats me like a traitor merely for being a Democrat - because I have different political and religious beliefs. Your party divides people by sexual orientation, making our gay brothers and sisters feel like second class citizens.

Rather than being an American or a human being, you call people Liberals in the pejorative.

Not only do you divide people with your toxic culture war, you deny them the right to be proud Americans who love their country just as much as you.

Your party, in its current state, is one of the most divisive things on this planet. Your post is insane.

The reason this country can't make any progress is because your side has convinced its members that the Left is evil - so evil in fact that you can't even support legislation that was first proposed by a Republican, but is now being championed by a Democrat. Every day on talk radio we hear venom spewed at the Left, many of them hard working families just trying to make a better life for themselves and their children, like you.

Stop dividing people.

Fuck you.

Paula Deen is the perfect example your evil on the left. Crush. Kill. Get her off the air. Stop Walmart from having her products.

You are the evil and disgusting ones.

You're not actually serious with the above post are you?

Yes, deadly serious.

I'm telling the truth. I go to think progress and tpm and huffpo among other websites on the left daily.

When the story first broke about her deposition libs drove this story. Libs wanted to kill Paula.

And now some like huffpo finally realized Deen was a Dem.

Now I was defending her across all party lines because she is no racist and the woman that is suing her is trying a shakedown.

And it worked. Deen is destroyed by lies. By liberals. How sweet that it was conservatives trying to defend her.

 

[tinydancer]

.

For a couple of generations now, the Democrats have been wildly successful in dividing Americans into groups (particularly ethnic & economic) and engaging in targeted marketing to those groups. Divide and conquer has been a brilliant strategy politically, and it has paid off handsomely. As a result, we are now a hyphenated-America, with each constituency placing its status above all else. The Democrats have kicked ass. We're divided as all hell, with each constituency screaming for its stuff.

Meanwhile, the GOP has assisted the Democrats in their endeavors in two ways: by doing little to counter that tactic, and by being terrifically lousy messengers.

The GOP message (at least as I see it) should be something like, "We don't believe in dividing America into little pieces. We believe that we are all Americans who deserve the same rights and liberties, no one more than the other, to chase our dreams and build our future. We believe that when we're divided we are weaker."

Instead, the lousier messengers have made the GOP easy pickins for the Dems, refusing to bend an inch on safety net issues, giving a strong impression that they want the abject elimination of ALL government services, painting a nice, big target on their backs.

So, is it too late for the GOP to convince the individual groups -- pretty much owned by the Dems -- that their way is better?

.

The problem is the "in the beltway" Roves. They don't care who is elected as long as they are still on the dance card.

It sure does seem like someone, somewhere, has a vested interest in stopping the mainstream GOP from taking Identity Politics head on. I don't know if they're afraid, intimidated or misguided, but the party just seems to have zero answer to it. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and the demographics don't favor them.

.

Last election I swear the beltway Republicans didn't want to win. Romney didn't go on one conservative talk show after he got the nomination. I only heard Ryan with Laura once.

They didn't care.

Beltway people are both parties but all that matters are the dinners and the invitations and the who's who.

I used to be in that kind of business when in the promotion part of my company you'd kill to come to one of my parties so I understand the politics of the beltway well even though mine was the politics of rock and roll.

Now to the demographics.

Do you realize that these are the headlines only?

Whites (people who identify themselves so) according to the 2010 census stands at 72%.

And they are fudging the figure with the one drop rule now in other stats?