tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post2038234608582466894..comments2022-11-02T04:16:46.972-04:00Comments on New Harbor Group Blog: Thoughts on Tuesday’s ElectionNew Harbor Grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353309381901943234noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post-54370130387402627112013-06-17T14:30:39.573-04:002013-06-17T14:30:39.573-04:00Interesting analysis. I'd be interested to kn...Interesting analysis. I'd be interested to know what you think of this. When the Democrats were looking inward and placing blame (as Parties do following a loss) after Bush 43 was elected twice, they chose to move to the Left rather than the center. Now, I think the planets aligned for them in that they found a somewhat palatable black candidate (even though many within the Party complained, especially long time civil rights activists and the Clinton wing) and the GOP, as it often does, put forward "the next guy in line" and had a crappy candidate in John McCain, so they managed to win. There's no doubt that Obama has governed (if you can call playing golf and going on vacation all the time governing) from the Far Left. And they ran a good campaign against (again) a crappy GOP candidate. Here's my question: I don't think the next GOP candidate will be as crappy as Dole/McCain/Romney. In fact, if the GOP puts forward a fairly decent candidate, they pretty much win, regardless of policy. I'm an established policy wonk, well known in my field, but I don't think that policy much matters to most voters. So this whole debate about the need to move away from the policies of the Tea Party (who are really a strong, small base of new activists who are actually policy focused) and the regular movement conservatives in either economic, national security or domestic or social groups, seems to be more an effort by the media and others to stir up a controversy that doesn't exist, at least in that way. It also is an effort by the Democrats and their media partners (i.e., MSNBC) to place a label on the GOP that has a negative connotation, all with a mind towards reinforcing the negative stereotype that the Left is creating, not one that is even reality. It's all bogus. Sure there's finger pointing about who and why they lost, but Dems do that in spades, too, without being tagged at the same time with specious labels meant to scare voters. <br /><br />You do some thoughtful writing. You should use some of your PR skills and get some more attention to your blog. You can make money that way, too, you know! :)Karen Burke Morisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post-48286964786917422032012-11-08T18:22:05.311-05:002012-11-08T18:22:05.311-05:00Great to see some wisdom from the moderate right, ...Great to see some wisdom from the moderate right, David. It's voice is completely drowned out by the far right, the farther right, the moderate left and the far left. Today's WSJ suggested that Romney lost the election because he didn't have enough money. I'm not sure where the leadership for the moderate right is going to come from but if a reasonable, non-corporate raider had won the nomination there would be a Republican president today. Much of America lives there - not in the loony land that the party occupies currently. I laugh every time I think about that "Committee to Elect Barack Obama" postcard that circulated during the primary, the one with four photos on it: Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich, Hermann Cain and Mitt Romney. Keep up the good work, and congrats on the New Leader's success.Mark Van Noppennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post-12444341967513912622012-11-08T16:50:05.440-05:002012-11-08T16:50:05.440-05:00Interesting analysis, Dave. The Republican Party ...Interesting analysis, Dave. The Republican Party must modernize to become viable in the 21st century. Like it or not (and sometimes I don't), a trend toward acceptance of conflicting moral issues has a stronghold on American culture. This should not be confused with the 18th century principles of religious freedom. Americans, more than ever, fiercly reject commingling of religious beliefs and political agenda. This type of social engineering clearly was rejected in this week's election. PLease keep writing....it's always a pleasure to tune into your thoughts!<br />Best always,<br />Nancy RochaNDRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post-51934185831950208452012-11-08T14:44:46.210-05:002012-11-08T14:44:46.210-05:00Excellent post, David.
What I find fascinating...Excellent post, David. <br /><br />What I find fascinating in the immediate aftermath of the election is that the Republican Party still seems, as it has during the past year, completely split down the middle on the issue of how to fix itself. Some in the establishment are arguing that the Party needs to become more conservative; Romney's moderate stance during recent months was the key problem. Others argue that the party needs to face facts: the electorate is changing and the Party needs to steer more towards the middle. <br /><br />Also, one of the most interesting narratives coming out after the election is the Obama campaign's masterful use of data-driven modeling and technologies to target, reach, engage and influence voters. This expertise, secretively led by dozens of campaign operatives, has raised fundraising, voter targeting, and GOTV strategies to a new level of precision and effectiveness. Romney got smoked on the ground in the last days of the race. Besides the now-obvious core problems with Romney as a candidate and campaigner, plus some plain bad luck (Sandy, Christie, etc.), "Big Data" clearly had a significant impact in areas that counted the most. <br /><br />Always enjoy your posts. Keep them coming. <br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Troy CentazzoTroy Centazzohttp://www.linkedin.com/in/troycentazzonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post-34184813709347686682012-11-08T14:10:58.095-05:002012-11-08T14:10:58.095-05:00Very thoughtful and provocative analysis. Deserve...Very thoughtful and provocative analysis. Deserves a wider audience, particularly among those of us whose mouths are still agape at the stunning and surprising election results both nationally and here in Rhody.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4152483468512915962.post-2115800121740830262012-11-08T14:06:11.180-05:002012-11-08T14:06:11.180-05:00Very thoughtful and provocative analysis. Well wor...Very thoughtful and provocative analysis. Well worth a conveying to a wider audience, particularly those of us who are still shaking our heads and refixing our jaws after Tuesday's stunning election results.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com