While Josh muses on the more obvious narrative of Republican Susan Hutchison’s visit to the 43rd LD Dems’ annual picnic, you know, the strategery of her showing up, I think there’s a more interesting story to be drawn from Saturday’s event, and one that comments more broadly on the cultural divide that currently separates our nation’s two major parties: the relatively cordial manner in which Hutchison was received.
As far as I’ve heard, nobody shouted Hutchison down, accusing her of being a Nazi or a communist (or oddly, both). Nobody vandalized her car, or attempted to intimidate her by showing off their firearms. And nobody angrily yelled at her to stay away from their children.
Hutchison was accompanied by a couple of burly, t-shirted aides, but she certainly didn’t need any bodyguards, if that’s what she was thinking. No, this gathering of very partisan Dems greeted her politely, quietly milled about as she gave her stump speech, and then chatted her up for about an hour.
And that’s not the exception that proves the rule. Ask any of the number of Republicans and even the few righty trolls who have accepted our open invitation to show up at Drinking Liberally, and they’ll attest to their friendly reception. (I mean, it’s so easy beating your guys’ rhetorical ass, why would we ever feel the need to threaten to beat your physical one?)
What we see in comparing Hutchison’s uneventful visit to a Democratic picnic versus the hostile and intentionally intimidating Republican crowds who have recently taken to storming town hall meetings, is not just a contrast in style, but a contrast in political culture. Democrats in general, and as a whole, really are more democratic, while the anti-government reactionaries who now seem to comprise the base of the Republican Party have long since forgotten the true meaning of the word they use as a party label.
It may have been savvy of Hutchison to show up at a Democratic picnic, though I doubt she earned herself any votes, but it certainly wasn’t gutsy. I can’t help but feel the opposite would be true if Dow Constantine were to make a similar surprise foray onto partisan Republican turf.
We have a bingo!
I would be very curious to know what SH was expecting? I was there and was super impressed at the civility of the crowd. Not only was there nothing obnoxious (compared with how I was received at the KC Repub picnic) there was a ge3nuine interest in her.
Goldy is dead on about Dow. I doubt very much that he would have been received well at the Rep Picnic.
Dow should bring some press along with him to the GOP picnic.
Yes, I kid Republicans. I kid because I love…
I just don’t love them.
Other than the influence of billions of dollars from wealthy folk and corporations, Goldy may be hitting on why “bipartisanship” is a codeword for Democrats compromising to support the Neoliberal consensus and uphold down-home conservative social values, even when it makes absolutely no sense.
This aside, examples of civility in politics are more than welcome, wherever they arise.
#4. Goldy & Daddy Love are on to something.
Film/Documentary: Cultural Differences:
Film: The cultural differences of a SHutchison visiting a polite Democrat picnic, vs a lack of civiltiy towards a Democrat visiting a Gop event.
Contrast of cultures is displayed on this blog, constantly with Cynical, Marvin and Pud.
Off topic Questions: Are Cynical, Marvin and Pud paid posters of the GOP to disrupt Goldy’s blog?
If Republicans are concerned about wasting taxpayer dollars and Governor Gregoire wants to find money, why isn’t the BIAW tax loophole plugged so the Republicans and BIAW cannot use/waste taxpayer dollars for right wing propaganda and political ads?
I’d be surprised if GOP hosts (at party functions) were anything but utterly respectful towards Dow or any other visiting politician. Dow’s campaign would negotiate to get on the agenda, be invited properly, etc.
If I had to guess, few of the thugs, teabaggers, and trogs are members proper of their local GOP parties. Party involvement requires effort, thoughtfulness, commitment, actual — you know — beliefs. I’m sure there’s overlap, but I think it’d be a mistake to equate the two camps.
In my experience, Republicans value civility, decorum, etc. They probably don’t agree, and they may grill, but I think they’d be embarrassed if they abused the guest.
I’m sure that restraint doesn’t apply to the trogs heckling at open forums. If anything, they’ll hide any of their associations, so as to not soil their party.
But I am first to admit my sample size was pretty small. I’d like to hear from others.
Now that these county races are “nonpartisan”, I’m sure there’s plenty of opportunities for both Hutchison and Constantine to attend both Republican and Democratic party functions.
What planet does #7 live on?
Its possible to have a good discussion of values and issues with Republicans. Best done I figure by having a conpeting event to draw off the teabaggers.
I’ve met good conservatives in at least one website that does politics and media. They’re pretty easy to differentiate from others frothing away in wingnut/neocon/straussian manner.
Can’t say I’ve seen any attracted to this site. A plethera of Barracknophobes however.
The reason Republicans and primitive democrats tend to be angry and hostile, is because they tend to be in a lot of pain in their personal lives. This is not a 100% correlation but certainly, a significant one.
A blind adherence to market fundamentalism is a great way, for example, to decapitate your higher levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. They simply don’t exist in the dollar marketplace. Markets are all about reciprocal contracts– not unconditional love but absolutely conditional exchanges. As such they are characterized by people doing a whole lot of things they DON’T want to do, in order to engorge themselves on a lot of harmful and unhealthy jumbo-sized, wasteful junk. Don’t expect them to be happy. Expect them to lash out.
Rujax! @ 8
Jason Osgood was the Democratic candidate for Washington Secretary of State in 2008. I think he has some moral authority to say what he has said. And I basically agree with him.
@ Jamews Osgood
Since I am an independent, have b=voted for anb supported Republicans and have been abused at Reprican party affairs .. well ….
I will believe you when the party leaders announce they are banning adverts on Fox.
Those burly guys in t shirts were her sons and husband. They actually are probably democrats or they would have been wearing ties!
Don’t forget — Susan brought a large amount of food and clothing to the event for those in need. It was a striking picture of each person carrying a bag or box…And of Susan flipping burgers… Her comments were dead on — she immediately tried to create a bridge with her union experience — and she will no doubt use that line again….