On The Corruption Narrative

In the past, I've been outspoken about the "Republican corruption / Democratic competence" narrative being inadequate for Democratic success more than one, perhaps two election cycles (if even that much).  IMO, "Not As Bad As" is hardly inspiring fare, and certainly is nothing you can build a party on -- mostly it allows corporate Dems to avoid actually taking a stand on anything controversial.

In retrospect, I'm not even convinced that the narrative is a winner at all.  And here's why:  read the comments thread on this Political Animal Steve Benen guest post.  Just a few Republican Talking Point Trolls manage to smear enough shit on the Democratic Party and specific Dems that suddenly it's not the systemic Republican corruption that is the narrative.  The discussion becomes a combination of explanations of the difference between the systemic Republican corruption and the occasional free-lance Dem corruption and a vibe that everybody's corrupt.

When you're explaining, you're losing.  And a sense that everybody's corrupt depresses turnout and favors Republicans on a lot of levels.  The Republican turnout machine is the fundie churches and the well-off.  Period.  Those people will turn out even if the system is corrupt, because it's not corrupt in ways that offend them.

By contrast, the Dems need turnout from ordinary people, and if everyone's corrupt, why bother?  Worse, if the Dems aren't offering anything real for working people, and the system is corrupt, the Dems might lose some of those working people to the cultural wedge issues the Republicans pimp.

The Dems need to be far more than just NABA.  That dog barely hunts. 

Comments

[eRobin]

The Republican turnout machine is the fundie churches and the well-off. Period. Those people will turn out even if the system is corrupt, because it's not corrupt in ways that offend them.

I made a similar point today when I was talking about the GOP stay-home vote. I only mentioned the fundies because not only will they come out to support the unborn and the baby jeebus, they, codependents that they are, will also rally strongly to the defense of their guy when the polls are against him, which is where Santorum will probably find himself a few days before election day.

The Dems must find a message and a plan that appeals to their base. They must stop listening to the DLC and the Schumers among them.

[fdtate]

I wonder how many of the Republican Talking Point Trolls were freelance and how many were pros...

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/themix/37619/

[paperwight]

fdtate - I saw that, and it doesn't really matter, does it? If freelance, it's awfully easy to dig that shit up and if paid, well that's a preview, innit?