Comments on: How to negotiate in politics http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/ Tracking Minnesota Politics Since 2005 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:56:44 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Randy http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41377 Randy Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:56:00 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41377 The spinelessness of the Democratic leadership--both nationally and on the state level--is why I no longer want to be identified as a Democrat. I still vote that way most of the time, but I would prefer not to be identified with such a timid crowd. The spinelessness of the Democratic leadership — both nationally and on the state level — is why I no longer want to be identified as a Democrat. I still vote that way most of the time, but I would prefer not to be identified with such a timid crowd.

]]> By: Holly Cairns http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41365 Holly Cairns Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:15:23 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41365 It would be nice to stick with the issues instead of playing games. That's my two cents. It would be nice to stick with the issues instead of playing games. That’s my two cents.

]]> By: DantheMan http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41356 DantheMan Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:27:52 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41356 I agree with what you wrote. I can only imagine that there are three things holding Democrats back from unleashing their policies on the GOP: 1. they don't know how, like you suggest but I don't think they are that naive 2. there is enough reservation about the real cost or predicted effectiveness of the public option, and they don't want to be the only ones to supported it if it sucks 3. The "60 votes on paper" really means they have 50 gauranteed votes, 5 more likely supporters when the smoke clears, and 5 "hard sells" within their own party. I think #3 is pretty likely. I agree with what you wrote. I can only imagine that there are three things holding Democrats back from unleashing their policies on the GOP:

1. they don’t know how, like you suggest but I don’t think they are that naive
2. there is enough reservation about the real cost or predicted effectiveness of the public option, and they don’t want to be the only ones to supported it if it sucks
3. The “60 votes on paper” really means they have 50 gauranteed votes, 5 more likely supporters when the smoke clears, and 5 “hard sells” within their own party.

I think #3 is pretty likely.

]]> By: Lloyd http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41351 Lloyd Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:35:03 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41351 Good analysis. The Republicans aren't quite as good at this as you give them credit for but they do seem a bit better at it then the dems. I really think the problem with the Dems is they are actually afraid to tell people what they really, really want. Republicans will come out with "insane libertarian proposals like the flat tax" and actually be happy with an insane libertarian flat tax. Democrats (the elected ones) for whatever reason feel the need to cloak their real goals in wishy-washy nuance. If the goal is canadian/euro style universal healthcare, they have to refer to it in other terms like Single Payer Sytem, or Public Option. Because they don't come right out and say what they mean (election is just around the corner afterall) they're vagaries, platitudes and euphemisms can be easily manipulated to mean whatever people want them to mean. Bill Clinton, to his credit, didn't need to do it as much - but then again Bill was a pretty conservative dem all told so his crazy ideas weren't all that out of the mainstream. Good analysis. The Republicans aren’t quite as good at this as you give them credit for but they do seem a bit better at it then the dems. I really think the problem with the Dems is they are actually afraid to tell people what they really, really want. Republicans will come out with “insane libertarian proposals like the flat tax” and actually be happy with an insane libertarian flat tax. Democrats (the elected ones) for whatever reason feel the need to cloak their real goals in wishy-washy nuance. If the goal is canadian/euro style universal healthcare, they have to refer to it in other terms like Single Payer Sytem, or Public Option. Because they don’t come right out and say what they mean (election is just around the corner afterall) they’re vagaries, platitudes and euphemisms can be easily manipulated to mean whatever people want them to mean. Bill Clinton, to his credit, didn’t need to do it as much - but then again Bill was a pretty conservative dem all told so his crazy ideas weren’t all that out of the mainstream.

]]> By: Pete http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41349 Pete Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:28:43 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41349 Take a lithium, dude. Take a lithium, dude.

]]> By: TwoPuttTommy http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41345 TwoPuttTommy Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:29:22 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41345 <b><em>Yes, it’s Ol’ Spineless himself, Harry Reid, admitting at the outset that he’s going to throw himself on the mercy of the Republicans. </em></b> You got that right, Jeff. Yes, it’s Ol’ Spineless himself, Harry Reid, admitting at the outset that he’s going to throw himself on the mercy of the Republicans.

You got that right, Jeff.

]]> By: guyg http://mnpublius.com/2009/07/how-to-negotiate-in-politics/#comment-41344 guyg Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:14:25 +0000 http://mnpublius.com/?p=6143#comment-41344 The hate is swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give in to your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant. The hate is swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give in to your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant.

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