And they get great ratings, and they drive the message, and it's really problematic. And this is not on the Democratic side. It's only on the Republican side…[inaudible]. [Democrats have] got every other source of news on their side. And so that is a lot of what's driving it. If you take—Marco Rubio's getting his ass kicked. Who's my Rubio fan here? We talked about it. He's getting destroyed! By Mark Levin, by Rush Limbaugh, and a few others. He's trying to find a legitimate, long-term effective solution to immigration that isn't the traditional Republican approach, and talk radio is killing him. That's what's causing this thing underneath. And too many politicians in Washington are playing coy--Frank Luntz, GOP messaging guru
It is the revenge of the hateful base and conservative media machine! They are taking Marco Rubio and immigration reform down. Political hate speech may make for good ratings but it is terrible for good government and policy.
The fearful, frustrated, resentful and anxious turning against their own party to make themselves feel better? It's the British tabloid method: build them up so you can pull them down: high reader numbers.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that they'd still vote Republican though, not anyone else, and not staying home. For anyone who provides the right sound bites.
Public debate and the ability to govern suffers to the point of paralysis.
Does the whole political system need to come to a complete standstill before moderate Republicans are electable again? Or are Democrats going to be able to govern effectively by engaged voters (D and I) going to the polls, as a majority out of all voters? It will be interesting to see. But the damage being done in the meantime!