Lee Atwater was asked how Conservatives were able to attract middle and lower class support even though the Conservative agenda was not one which benefited the middle and/or lower class.
He answered "patriotism". That if they sold themselves as being more patriotic than the other guy the economic program could slide right in. And that's what we've seen. Critical evaluation suspended, the flimsiest excuses accepted, and no rationalization ever examined along the way to supporting "patriotism".
Apparently the program is available online from pbs.org. Fascinating guy who apologized for being a dirty campaigner, allowed it wasn't good for the country. And he was one dirty guy.
Near the end of the program, Mary Matelin, the Cheney aide married to James Carville, said she was sorry that Atwater repudiated his tactics, that Atwater wasn't "dirty" but simply a hard campaigner who wanted to win.
Current Events » in reply to The GOP is switching constituencies...
"Frontline" on Lee Atwater last night answered a big question.
The whole thread (31 posts)
- Continuing to jockey for position
- I hope I don't understand it, but it may be obvious.
- The GOP is switching constituencies...
- re: The GOP is switching constituencies...
- re: The GOP needs to return to its proper philosophical roots
- There really is only one Conservative value. Spread the wealth around.
- Just what ARE the "proper philosophical roots" of the GOP?
- again, the classic fundamentalist answer: We weren't pure enough.
- "Frontline" on Lee Atwater last night answered a big question.
- The GOP is switching constituencies...
- I hope I don't understand it, but it may be obvious.