Do you believe that Republicans treat politics like warfare, and Dems treat it...

[Dick J]

...like a debate? An author recently argued that one of the key differences between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans treat politics like warfare, while Dems treat politics like a college debate...this supposedly explains why Republicans are better at winning elections than Dems. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

[Jes]

I agree with the first part- but don't really understand how, in our supposedly civilized society, how 'fighting' about something goes farther than 'talking' about something. I really think it has more to do with the republican voters being more likely to actually get out and vote. and I'm afraid that may be based on middle-class america being more likely to be working odd hours, unable to get a sitter on election night, or just plain too lazy or too jaded to think their vote counts, while upper-class republicans have been taught that it is their civic duty to support their party and are more likely to be able to do so. that last sentence might sound like I'm more inclined to vote Rep- very untrue. I don't make decisions based on what party represents any particular issue.

[Elderly Professor]

There are three traits of Democratic politics:

Dishonesty
Deception
Deceit

Thus the concept of Dems treating politics as a college debate is improper. A student could be denied continued participation in forensics, were that person not honorable.

Republicans, unfortunately for them and fortunately for us, seem to be 'gentlemanly' in the conduct of their campaigns.

We have people like Harry Reid and Nazi Pelosi. They are our leaders in no small part because they are willing to betray the nation in order to solidify political power.


Personal notes: In New Mexico we drove Mexicans from polling place to polling place. At each stop we let them know what name they would vote under. (Some years ago we had one precinct where the voter turnout was 108%. Even Stalin did not have a turnout that high.)

In San Francisco we even had poll watchers and precinct judges (in our party, of course) falsly signing in people who did not show up. (We won that mayoral election by less than one percent.)

[slyham166]

I agree totally!!!However it depends who the Candidates are because both Democrats & Republicans can treat politics as Warfare.The reason Obama is different.He wants to change the way politics are conducted.Honesty should be a part of the process which most politicians don't have.America looks down on those who don't have thier beliefs.

[mikeinportc]

It's an idividual thing . For the last few years, the most important individual was Karl Rove . As he was essentially working for the whole party , the party became like him . Don't think it's a permanent part of either party.