The New York senator and democrat party big dog had a media conference call yesterday with some of his democrat party Senate colleagues. Not knowing that reporters were already on the line, he started talking and directing his fellow democrats to start following a strategy of incessantly labeling as "extreme" and "draconian" anything that republicans propose in terms of federal budget cuts. He indicated that this is the new strategy of the Senate democrat party caucus. (Link to full story at bottom).
About a minute into this little impromptu strategy session, Schumer was apparently made aware that reporters were already on the call. In what must have been quite hilarious for the reporters to hear, a deafening silence ensued for a short period of time. Then the call got going, with the democrats reportedly taking Schumer's direction almost immediately, complete with references to the "extreme right wing" from deranged California senator Barbara Boxer.
This story has made quite the rounds on the net over the past 24 hours, but here's my initial reaction and first question: What's shocking or surprising about this democrat party strategy when it comes to opposing GOP budget cut proposals? Of course they're going to try to label them as "extreme." Most of our pathetic political discourse in this country has devolved into non-substantive efforts to make the other party or other candidate look "more extreme than we are." Yawn.
But this gets to my second question, as raised at the top: Does the democrat party really think the tired old strategy of labeling the other side as "extreme" is really going to work on Independents when it comes to proposed budget cuts given the current climate in the country? I'm actually asking a serious question.
Apparently the democrat party does believe such messaging will work or they wouldn't be using it. And I frankly have no idea how successful it might be with my fellow Independents. Maybe a lot of them will buy into that, who knows. After all, Independents (me not among them) put Obama's behind in office in 2008 after so many bought his disingenuous "moderate" act.
Without at least some polling data to look at, I can only speak for myself on the issue. And I have to say, any democrat who tries to tell me that just about any cut to the federal budget is too "extreme" or "draconian" right now is going to be ringing extremely hollow. It'll just fall on deaf ears. And I'll have a very simple five-word response: $14.2 Trillion. What's your plan?
(And sorry, firing up the ol' printing press ain't a viable retort).
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sen_chuck_schumer_calls_gop_extreme_g3aZDBU7DoCH8KrC4YMEpL
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