# If Politicians All Got The "Liar, Liar" Disease, Dems Would Lose Ground **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 25, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512 "2010-06-25T18:12:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/41 "2010-06-25T20:28:40Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Really? That seems implausible to me; I can’t imagine the mechanism. (The ability to _write_ fiction, though, would of course vanish.) It wasn’t just a compulsion to speak the truth; it was a drive for truthfulness in general. Since fiction isn’t true by definition they were no longer capable of enjoying it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/42 "2010-06-25T20:36:13Z")
**Bricker** is absolutely correct. Democrats don’t always say what they mean. Republicans do actually believe the stupid shit they’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/43 "2010-06-25T20:40:23Z")
Are there any conservatives that think this would hurt Republicans? Or liberals that think this would hurt Democrats? ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/44 "2010-06-25T20:48:35Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > **Bricker** is absolutely correct. Democrats don’t always say what they mean. Republicans do actually believe the stupid shit they’re saying. I don’t believe that bit about the republicans for an _instant_. Sure, _some_ of them are complete loons, but most of them are relatively intelligent. Heck, I don’t believe that many of them even care about abortion anti-rights or gun rights or gays anti-rights _at all_, except for their usefulness as a hot-button topic. > [@emacknight](#): > > Are there any conservatives that think this would hurt Republicans? > > Or liberals that think this would hurt Democrats? Of course it would hurt Democrats - it would just hurt the Republicans _more_. All politicians are liars, but the pubs have elevated it to a fine art and a gravy train. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/45 "2010-06-25T20:53:23Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > I don’t believe that bit about the republicans for an _instant_. Sure, _some_ of them are complete loons, but most of them are relatively intelligent. Heck, I don’t believe that many of them even care about abortion anti-rights or gun rights or gays anti-rights _at all_, except for their usefulness as a hot-button topic. I think there are four separate levels of Republican: complete loons, half-loons (ie., people with serious cognitive dissonance issues), people who just say what voters want to hear, and decent folk. I used to think John McCain was one of the fourth group. Now I wonder if they exist at all. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/46 "2010-06-25T21:00:05Z")
> [@emacknight](#): > > Are there any conservatives that think this would hurt Republicans? > > Or liberals that think this would hurt Democrats? Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/47 "2010-06-25T21:04:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Exactly. This seems much easier than actually trying to make an _argument_ for why Democrats would suffer more from a spate of honesty than Republicans would, and has the added bonus of being basically immune from counterargument because it’s completely contentless! We could all learn from you. ---
**Author:** ![emacknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ec8ea/32.png) [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/48 "2010-06-25T21:14:45Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I think there are four separate levels of Republican: complete loons, half-loons (ie., people with serious cognitive dissonance issues), people who just say what voters want to hear, and decent folk. > > I used to think John McCain was one of the fourth group. Now I wonder if they exist at all. Yeah? Well I think there are four separate levels of Democrats: blah blah blah blah So there! Is now the right time to mention Michael Moore? He lied a lot. If he had to tell the truth, what would happen to the liberal media! ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/49 "2010-06-25T21:24:01Z")
> [@emacknight](#): > > In re-thinking the OP, I’m not so sure that would hurt their base. The masses they are riling are just as much bigots and racists as their candidates. To hear, “I’m actually against abortion because I want to punish slutty women, and I’m against immigration reform because I hate foreigners” will probably make them more popular. I can’t help but feel Republican lies are more about placating a handful of moderates that have actual objections to abortion or immigration reform. " That’s depressing, but you are probably right. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/50 "2010-06-25T21:25:40Z")
The world is not ready for an assplosion of Michael Mooreseque proportions. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/51 "2010-06-25T21:39:19Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I think you are both overestimating Democrats’ (defining “Democrats” as Dem officeholders, candidates and party officials) favorabilty to redistribution, and underestimating the general public’s favorability. This. What might hurt the greatest number of present Dem reps is the populace realizing, not that they’re too leftist, but that they’re not really that populist. Of course some form of this would affect GOP candidates as well. Anyone forced to say, “I really am just in it for myself!” will lose support. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/52 "2010-06-25T21:59:48Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Does this curse strike Fox News and right-wing radio? If so, the collapse of that industry would be devastating to the Republican party as it is now. It would be extraordinarily good for the public in general, as a rebuilt and reorganized party built around sound, rational conservative principles would be a refreshing change to the pitiful lows it’s been driven to. Fox/Beck/Limbah would simultaneously Implode creating the black hole that people think Cern are going to create. it would put the Daily show out of business for at least a week because there would be nothing funnier anywhere than just watching these guys talk and speak the truth. /end hijack ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/53 "2010-06-25T22:26:19Z")
Virtually every incumbent will be thrown out of office, regardless of party. I think it would be very difficult for anyone to command a majority vote if all their thoughts were made public. Almost everybody has some opinion about something that will alienate a substantial block of voters. Those who do win will only get a plurality. I don’t believe that the current crop of Right Wing talking heads actually believe what they’re saying. Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh will have to go off the air, but will soon be replaced by True Believers and the right wing noise machine will continue unabated. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/54 "2010-06-25T22:34:11Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > Virtually every incumbent will be thrown out of office, regardless of party. To throw an incumbent out, you need to vote somebody else in. If this affliction effects only _sitting_ politicians this would be almost guaranteed to happen (unless the politician is both squeaky-clean and figures out how to play his opponents’ capability to lie against him), but if the disease effects potential politicians too then many politicians might survive, assuming they 1) aren’t _too_ scandalous in the eyes of their base and the undecideds, and 2) they actually _do_ beleive in and support the things they’ve always claimed to believe in and support. The populace will forgive them for not sugar-coating things - what other choice do the voters have? ---
**Author:** ![kingbighair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kingbighair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingbighair)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/55 "2010-06-25T23:16:16Z")
Perhaps you could offer some questions that would be damaging to Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/56 "2010-06-25T23:25:02Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > Perhaps you could offer some questions that would be damaging to Democrats. Given the low opinion Democrats and those who vote for Democrats already tend to have of their own representatives, I can’t think of any. They might even be helped if it turns out they aren’t as bad as they look. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/57 "2010-06-25T23:27:51Z")
Assuming the OP is modified to mean something like all politicians were forced to be honest about their policy views, then I agree with the OP’s conclusion. The fact is that Democrats currently dominate the electoral landscape. Nigh 60 Senate seats, a healthy majority of the House, and even amid two wars and the worst jobs climate in decades, a significant lead in party ID and a favorably viewed Democratic President. At least part of the reason for this is that Democrats have been willing to recruit a broader coalition of candidates than Republican purity has allowed for that party, in places like Missouri, Virginia, Montana, Ohio, Colorado, and Nebraska. Consequently, they downplay elements that would cause internal division among the caucus, like gun control, public funding for abortion, and countless other (largely social) issues. If Democrats were to push those issues, they’d soon lose that dominance. Republicans, who have contracted to superminority status, on the other hand, control very few seats in districts or states where they do not have an advantage in party ID. In short, Democrats currently control the center. And whichever party controls the center necessarily has a more diverse coalition, and more diverse coalitions are held together by studiously ignoring the issues that divide them. If Democrats were honest about those issues, there would be much more internal division in the party, making it harder for them to keep this massive coalition that now dwarfs the electoral power of Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/58 "2010-06-25T23:28:54Z")
I won’t weigh in on either party in general, but I think politicians on the fringes like Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich would benefit slightly because it would be shown that, though they’re certainly farther from the center than most, at least they actually believe most of what they say they believe. One of the benefits of being on the fringe is that they’re more free to speak freely because they don’t have to worry so much about losing the center/mainstream voter. I think populists would fare worse. Even though many voters may like the outcome of populist behavior, they don’t like hearing a candidate say, “I swing whichever way the wind blows,” in so many words. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/59 "2010-06-25T23:40:06Z")
> [@theR](#): > > I won’t weigh in on either party in general, but I think politicians on the fringes like Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich would benefit slightly because it would be shown that, though they’re certainly farther from the center than most, at least they actually believe most of what they say they believe. One of the benefits of being on the fringe is that they’re more free to speak freely because they don’t have to worry so much about losing the center/mainstream voter. Actually, i’d say even that isn’t a guarantee. Sure, if you’re Ron Paul you don’t need to worry about the mainstream so much, because you’re not going to capture their interest. But you do still need the guys who are interested in what you have to say, however small that minority is. Even if they have less to lose, they still have it to lose. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512/60 "2010-06-25T23:40:07Z")
> [@kingbighair](#): > > Perhaps you could offer some questions that would be damaging to Democrats. Well, there’s damaging, and then there’s _damaging_. A republican saying “I’m gay” would be _damaging_, while a Democrat saying, “I don’t really give a crap about spotted owls, gay rights, abortion, or the environment, but I’ll vote for 'em if that’s what it takes to get you people to pay my salary”, while damaging, isn’t really even in the same hemisphere. If you want a question that 1) has an instakill answer, and 2) we can reasonably expect that some noticeable percentage of democrats would _say_ the instakill answer, then I think you might come up short, particularly if you want the answer to be systemically worse for democrats than republicans. I mean, “Have you ever committed a felony - and if so, what?” would doubtlessly weed out a percentage of democrats right quick, but I’d imagine that republicans would be effected to the same degree. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512.md?page=4)