# GOP: You lost because Obama is a centrist; you won't win by tacking right **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488 "2012-11-09T15:37:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/21 "2012-11-09T17:09:19Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Centrists usually work to get both sides of the proverbial isle to agree. Obama shown the ability to do neither and, when it comes to budget deals, has shown himself to be an army of one, with no one willing to follow behind. YES. Republicans, _listen to this man_. Your policies are fine, and your messaging just needs a little bit of a tweak. All you need to do is yell louder “Obama is a socialist”- the American people are on the edge of believing. They just need a few more years of persuasion. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/22 "2012-11-09T17:18:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > YES. Republicans, _listen to this man_. Your policies are fine, and your messaging just needs a little bit of a tweak. All you need to do is yell louder “Obama is a socialist”- the American people are on the edge of believing. They just need a few more years of persuasion. In other words, if that bull you let loose in the china shop didn’t work out the way you wanted, the obvious solution is _more_ bull. In fact, that would make a great slogan for the next election: “_If What You Want Is More Bull, Vote Republican!_” ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/23 "2012-11-09T17:21:47Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > YES. Republicans, _listen to this man_. Your policies are fine, and your messaging just needs a little bit of a tweak. All you need to do is yell louder “Obama is a socialist”- the American people are on the edge of believing. They just need a few more years of persuasion. Actually-- and I said this on election night or the day after-- I hope Republicans go along with whatever Obama wants. His policies are terrible, but at this point it doesn’t matter. If the majority of Americans think he’s some kind of economic genius, then he should be left to display his brilliance. As a country, we’ll either reap the benefits or suffer the consequences. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/24 "2012-11-09T17:23:52Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > His policies are terrible, but at this point it doesn’t matter. Or his policies are pretty good. I’m going with Nate Silver on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/25 "2012-11-09T17:30:20Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Actually-- and I said this on election night or the day after-- I hope Republicans go along with whatever Obama wants. His policies are terrible, but at this point it doesn’t matter. If the majority of Americans think he’s some kind of economic genius, then he should be left to display his brilliance. As a country, we’ll either reap the benefits or suffer the consequences. Using your “logic”, either things get better and the Democrats come out ahead, or things fall apart and the Republicans share the blame with the Democrats. Come on, admit it-you’re Colbert, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/26 "2012-11-09T17:32:16Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Well, if California shows one thing, it shows that Democrats are incapable of taking the blame for anything. For all intents and purposes, the GOP is a minority party in California yet they still get blamed for any and all economic ills, even though the Democratic party is running the state into the crapper and is chasing businesses out at an alarming rate. > > Personally, I’d rather be Texas than California. > > Apparently, you guys have thoroughly short memories. Boehner was open to the Simpson-Bowles budget plan. So, too, where Senate and House Democrats and Republicans, if begrudgingly. **Obama was not**. He considered it unsatisfactory, presented two successive budget deals to Congress and received a grand total of zero votes between them both. This is a fact. > > Now if you consider that to be proof of Obama centrism, then there’s not much more to be said in this thread. One issue does not a leftist (or rightist) make. I’ll agree that Obama was too quick to dismiss the budget. It placed the Rs in a defensive position that they could not withdraw from without losing face, so they planted their feet and refused to move. However, most of the actions taken by Obama have been centrist in nature, and he is certainly not the raving socialist liberal that is being repeatedly and loudly claimed by the folks at Fox. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/27 "2012-11-09T17:34:46Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Actually-- and I said this on election night or the day after-- I hope Republicans go along with whatever Obama wants. His policies are terrible, but at this point it doesn’t matter. If the majority of Americans think he’s some kind of economic genius, then he should be left to display his brilliance. As a country, we’ll either reap the benefits or suffer the consequences. God, I hope the Republicans in Congress feel the same way. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/28 "2012-11-09T17:52:24Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Boehner was open to the Simpson-Bowles budget plan. So, too, where Senate and House Democrats and Republicans, if begrudgingly. How many times has it been pointed out that Simpson-Bowles was scuttled by\*\* Paul Ryan \*\*and his fellow house republicans? Where can I get a bubble that strong? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/29 "2012-11-09T17:58:31Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Centrists usually work to get both sides of the proverbial isle to agree. Obama shown the ability to do neither and, when it comes to budget deals, has shown himself to be an army of one, with no one willing to follow behind. [Yeah, that’s another thing . . .](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=671493) ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/30 "2012-11-09T18:01:58Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Well, if California shows one thing, it shows that Democrats are incapable of taking the blame for anything. For all intents and purposes, **the GOP is a minority party in California yet they still get blamed for any and all economic ills** , even though the Democratic party is running the state into the crapper and is chasing businesses out at an alarming rate. What? This is not true at all! People in California like to blame _politicians_ without regard for party affiliation. We also pass a bunch of propositions that place binding restrictions on the state budget and the ability to raise taxes, then blame the politicians for not being able to work a miracle on the budget. We have met the enemy, and it is us. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/31 "2012-11-09T18:01:58Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Or his policies are pretty good. I’m going with Nate Silver on this one. Thought Silver leaned Libertarian. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/32 "2012-11-09T18:03:20Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > What? This is not true at all! People in California like to blame _politicians_ without regard for party affiliation. We also pass a bunch of propositions that place binding restrictions on the state budget and the ability to raise taxes, then blame the politicians for not being able to work a miracle on the budget. > > We have met the enemy, and it is us. At least you did the right thing for once this year – didn’t you just approve state tax hikes, **by referendum?!** :eek: ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/33 "2012-11-09T18:08:53Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > At least you did the right thing for once this year – didn’t you just approve state tax hikes, **by referendum?!** :eek: Yes sir! All it took was the possibility of shuttering a bunch of schools and a massive government deficit/debt. We are teh besterest! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/34 "2012-11-09T18:19:21Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > . . . We have met the enemy, and it is us. Amen. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/35 "2012-11-09T18:49:01Z")
Why on earth would someone think using a single issue to illustrate whether someone was centrist or not is a valid approach? Besides which, the fact that Obama did not support various GOP proposals isn’t proof that he’s not centrist. That would only be in evidence if those proposals could be demonstrated to be centrist themselves, and that is a laughable position. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/36 "2012-11-09T19:54:11Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Why on earth would someone think using a single issue to illustrate whether someone was centrist or not is a valid approach? Because a data point of 1 can have any slope you want for it; you just have to have faith. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/37 "2012-11-09T21:22:39Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Dammit! I was promised a toaster! I was promised a toaster too when I converted to lesbianism. They told me it didn’t count because I’m a man. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/38 "2012-11-09T21:32:14Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Look, Pubs, here’s what you have to accept before you can make any progress: Obama is a centrist. Yes, he is. He is not a socialist radical. He is not a stealth Communist. [He is not even much of a liberal.](http://www.salon.com/2012/10/30/obama_last_of_the_new_democrats/) His neoliberal politics are not much different from Bill Clinton’s, who tried to get a rather more vigorous health-care reform package through. They are different from Romney’s politics, but not by a real whole lot. This election was so close because both candidates were centrists and the people usually prefer centrists. If you run a far-right Pub in 2016, as so many of you\* are already talking about, any centrist Dem in Clinton’s and Obama’s mold will eat him for breakfast and order more bacon. Hillary Clinton v. a Rick Santorum/Ron Paul/Newt Gingrich? No contest, Hillary landslides. The only way it can be a real contest is if your far-right Pub’s opponent that year is a far-leftie, a Ralph Nader or a Bernie Sanders or a Dennis Kucinich; which is not likely to happen. I resemble this remark. I’m a moderate Republican who voted for Obama. As far as I’m concerned, the Democrats have been running better moderate candidates for the Presidency than the Republicans have for the last few decades. If Obama had actually been the kind of left-wing socialist that conservatives claimed he was, then I would have voted for McCain and Romney instead. I’m obviously not one of the people who wants to see the Republican Party disappear. I want the Republicans to come back to their senses and move back to the center and stop kowtowing to the conservative fringe. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/39 "2012-11-09T21:48:42Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I want the Republicans to come back to their senses and move back to the center and stop kowtowing to the conservative fringe. At this point, I’m pretty sure the sane party for Republicans to come back to will not be called the Republican Party. The Whigs tore themselves apart over slavery. The GOP will tear itself apart over immigration, at least when a couple of the smarter Republicans decide to pander to the Catholic Hispanic vote and get thoroughly snubbed by the Republicans who think Sheriff Joe is on the right track. ‘Self-deportation’ is going to work about as well with the Hispanics as it did with the Irish, and… remember the Native American Party? Heh. Neither does anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488/40 "2012-11-09T22:25:21Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > YES. Republicans, _listen to this man_. Your policies are fine, and your messaging just needs a little bit of a tweak. All you need to do is yell louder “Obama is a socialist”- the American people are on the edge of believing. They just need a few more years of persuasion. I think I’m just a couple years away from being convinced not to vote Obama for a third term. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-you-lost-because-obama-is-a-centrist-you-wont-win-by-tacking-right/640488.md?page=3)