# Plausible liberal fantasy **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 12, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602 "2012-02-12T14:39:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/41 "2012-02-13T16:18:37Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Perhaps you should rethink yours. How does Romney appeal to independents?! Romney appeals to the independents who think that the Romney they saw as governor of MA is the real Romney, and the Romney now who is toadying up to the extremists on the right is not. I’m not sure how many of those there are, the number of fake Romneys or the number of independents who think one of them is real. It might not be a large number. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/42 "2012-02-13T17:02:58Z")
Will the real Slim Shifty please stand up…please stand up…please stand up… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/43 "2012-02-13T17:28:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Will the real Slim Shifty please stand up…please stand up…please stand up… I doubt he even knows any more . . . ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/44 "2012-02-13T17:32:46Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Zactly. Romney has **one** strength on which his entire campaign post-August will depend, and the same strength Gingrich or Santorum or Paul would have: Not being Obama. That rallies all those ready to campaign/donate zealously for anybody just to get Obama out, and as you know there are many such and they are zealous. The only way to attack Romney on that strength would be to . . . make him look like Obama. Toughie. And prone to backfire. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/45 "2012-02-13T17:39:15Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > And prone to backfire. That is, forced to choose between two Obamas, I daresay some voters would prefer the white one. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/46 "2012-02-13T17:44:16Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Romney has **one** strength on which his entire campaign post-August will depend, and the same strength Gingrich or Santorum or Paul would have: Not being Obama. That rallies all those ready to campaign/donate zealously for anybody just to get Obama out, and as you know there are many such and they are zealous. The only way to attack Romney on that strength would be to . . . make him look like Obama. Toughie. And prone to backfire. How is it tough though? Romney passed Obamacare in Massachusetts when he was governor and Obama has not done anything to piss off (certain) Americans more than ensure they’ll have affordable health care. It’s a pretty easy thing to hang on him and already gets brought up often. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/47 "2012-02-13T18:35:20Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Romney has **one** strength on which his entire campaign post-August will depend, and the same strength Gingrich or Santorum or Paul would have: Not being Obama. That rallies all those ready to campaign/donate zealously for anybody just to get Obama out, and as you know there are many such and they are zealous. The only way to attack Romney on that strength would be to . . . make him look like Obama. Toughie. And prone to backfire. True, but they’re already doing that, aren’t they? They being Gingrich and Santorum and their supporters, the far right, and the Tea Party. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard Romney called a moderate in a disparaging manner. By the way, has the word ‘moderate’ become an epithet in Republican circles? If so, when did this happen? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/48 "2012-02-13T18:42:41Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard Romney called a moderate in a disparaging manner. By the way, has the word ‘moderate’ become an epithet in Republican circles? If so, when did this happen? First it was liberal. Now it’s moderate. In 2016 it will be conservative. At which point, their heads will explode like Nomad’s. A girl can dream. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/49 "2012-02-13T18:46:12Z")
What’s a “nomad”, Gramma? ---
**Author:** ![Batfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Batfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batfish)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/50 "2012-02-14T12:34:58Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Obama winning this year is no liberal fantasy, it’s just the way to bet. For liberal fantasy, let’s envision how all this could help the Dems win the House of Representatives, and increase their Senate majorit… More like hopeful thinking… > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > …giving Obama a free hand for at least the next two years. Now that’s fantasy. The Democrats aren’t the goose-steppers the Republicans are. He lacks the leadership and they(a hypothetical Democratic congress) lack the organization. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/51 "2012-02-14T12:50:48Z")
> [@Batfish](#): > > More like hopeful thinking… > > Now that’s fantasy. The Democrats aren’t the goose-steppers the Republicans are. He lacks the leadership and they(a hypothetical Democratic congress) lack the organization. If they’re the majority, they don’t need organization just to stay out of Obama’s way. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/52 "2012-02-14T13:02:39Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > If they’re the majority, they don’t need organization just to stay out of Obama’s way. Didn’t really work out that way when he had both sides of Congress the first time. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/53 "2012-02-14T13:50:57Z")
My liberal fantasy: 1. Republicans nominate Santorum 2. Economy recovers and Obama mops the floor with Santorum (eww) 3. Democrats retake the House and Pelosi grabs the gavel from John Of Orange 4. Democrats gain seats in the Senate. We won’t get to 60+ this time, but hopefully in 2014 5. Justices Roberts, Thomas, Alito, and Scalia all die peacefully in their sleep of natural causes (see, I’m not heartless). Obama nominates Hillary Clinton, Al Franken, Russ Feingold, and Dennis Kucinich to take their place. Senate confirms quickly. 6. New court reverses Heller and reaffirms Roe 7. Bush and Cheney proesecuted and convicted for war crimes 8. All assets owned by Americans in the Cayman Islands to be immediately taxed at 100% (take that, Mittens) 9. Immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan 10. Bush tax cuts immediately repealed, retroactive to when they were put in place. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/54 "2012-02-14T14:36:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > My liberal fantasy: > > 1. Republicans nominate Santorum > 2. Economy recovers and Obama mops the floor with Santorum (eww) > 3. Democrats retake the House and Pelosi grabs the gavel from John Of Orange > 4. Democrats gain seats in the Senate. We won’t get to 60+ this time, but hopefully in 2014 > 5. Justices Roberts, Thomas, Alito, and Scalia all die peacefully in their sleep of natural causes (see, I’m not heartless). Obama nominates Hillary Clinton, Al Franken, Russ Feingold, and Dennis Kucinich to take their place. Senate confirms quickly. > 6. New court reverses Heller and reaffirms Roe > 7. Bush and Cheney proesecuted and convicted for war crimes > 8. All assets owned by Americans in the Cayman Islands to be immediately taxed at 100% (take that, Mittens) > 9. Immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan > 10. Bush tax cuts immediately repealed, retroactive to when they were put in place. Re: 1 - That would be kind of cool Re: 2 - Given #1, this would be inevitable, IMO Re: 3 - I look at Pelosi as part of the problem, not the solution, especially if Reid is part of the package. The party needs a new leader. Re: 4 - Agreed Re: 5 - I’m not in love with the idea of their deaths, and Roberts can stay, but Alito and Scalia have to go, and take their bootlick Thomas with them Re: 6 - Yep Re: 7 - I think that would open up a whole can of worms I think even the Democrats don’t want to deal with Re: 8 - Well, taxed at some reasonable rate Re: 9 - With you 100% on this one Re: 10 - I’m okay with that, even though it would impact the middle class as well ---
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/55 "2012-02-14T14:48:20Z")
I sometimes fantasize about Alito, Thomas and Scalia all getting hit by a meteor (and dying a painless and swift death). Good to know I’m not the only one. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/56 "2012-02-14T16:11:22Z")
Its ok, they would go straight to Heaven, the Pearly Gated Community. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/57 "2012-02-14T17:13:46Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > 1. Bush and Cheney proesecuted and convicted for war crimes Say, is Kissinger still alive? He should hang for Chile alone. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/58 "2012-02-14T17:17:05Z")
> [@QuarkChild](#): > > I sometimes fantasize about Alito, Thomas and Scalia all getting hit by a meteor (and dying a painless and swift death). Good to know I’m not the only one. Why not Roberts? He should top any such list, he’s dauntingly younger than the others (only 57 :(), and the CJ. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/59 "2012-02-14T17:33:07Z")
Are you guys sure you understand what “plausible” means? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602/60 "2012-02-14T17:35:37Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Are you guys sure you understand what “plausible” means? Shut up, we’re focused on the “fantasy” part now. It’s more fun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plausible-liberal-fantasy/612602.md?page=4)