Posted on 12/10/2004 8:13:05 PM PST by freespirited
Since Election Day, there has been a lot of predictable moaning and groaning about the future of the Democratic Party. Particularly predictable are the suggestions that we need to be more like Republicans in order to win. Democrats need to learn by our previous mistakes - we have tried being “Republican-lite” and it does not work. It is a mistake to run away from the things we believe and I think we can win in the so-called Republican states by being real Democrats.
We have to realize that there are no red states and no blue states, just American states. I believe the country is still more in sync with Democratic values than Republican values. Our task is to remind ourselves and the American people of the hallmark issues that distinguish Democrats from Republicans.
For example, Democrats historically tackle economic issues with bold, common-sense policies. Our last Democratic president created 22 million new jobs in this country. In the last four years, George W. Bush oversaw the loss of over 1.5 million. Democrats balance budgets, Republicans do not. Democrats consistently try to pass legislation that would provide some kind of affordable health care, Republicans do not. Democrats believe we ought to raise the minimum wage to help the average worker keep up with the cost of living, Republicans do not. Democrats believe corporations have too much power over our daily lives; Republicans do not - and to prove it, they have given away billions of dollars of our tax money to the biggest corporations in the world over the last four years.
On each of these issues, the majority of the American people are with Democrats not Republicans. Democrats have the right beliefs to win; we just execute a poor public relations plan. And, despite the enormous improvement in our ground game, the Republicans executed a more effective strategy. Republicans are far more successful because they work in a more unified, disciplined way with local supporters, especially with their base. They also avoid the Democrats chronic pitfall of listening to pundits from inside the Beltway.
I truly believe that Democrats can return to national dominance. But, we must not be afraid to compete in every race, in every district and in every state. We can start rebuilding the Democratic Party from the bottom up. Through my organization, Democracy for America, www.democracyforamerica.com, we have already started that process. This past election cycle, we endorsed over 100 candidates, at all levels of government – from school board to U.S. Senate and we contributed to almost 750 candidates around the country.
These candidates helped return Democrats to the majority in the Vermont, North Carolina, Oregon and Colorado State Houses; as well as the Senate in Oregon, Washington and Colorado. These candidates included more women than men, 25 percent were African American and there were members of nearly every other minority group, including American Indians. Nearly ten percent of the victors were from the gay and lesbian community, which included wins in places like Idaho and Missouri. And, 15 of the candidates we endorsed that won never ran for office before.
Democrats can win by simply being Democrats. Reinventing ourselves as Republicans is the death knell of our party. We need to get back to basics and start listening to people from outside Washington. Only then can we save the greatest nation on the face of the earth from the twin Republican perils of enormous deficits and constant misadventures abroad.
"If they can't even admit their mistakes..."
Wasn't almost everything he stated due to Repulican policies passed by a Republican Congress, and Slick Willies predecessors? Geesh, what a friggin moron he is. So, now the Democrats plan to be more like the Republicans is to steal the credit for their policies. Par for the course.
The GOP will do fine for 4 years. The GOP may not worry about the usual interim elections before the next Presidential race, and perhaps there is no reason to worry. However, I do worry about Hitlery. Her admirers, females, and Blacks will be a big factor in that election. Not to mention the usual ballot box stuffing that goes with the Dems. (Remember Hitlery took one NY town by 94%, statistically IMPOSSIBLE! Today NY, tomorrow the world.)
I thought MoveOn.org has bought the deed to the Democratic Party. Better check to see who has the title before you invest any more money, Howard.
These are Marxist Socialist. There future and the future that they invision for the US can be seen in the Failed Socialist Governments of Holland and Western Europe.
I love these guys. The more they don't "get it," the happier I am.
Keep on believing it. Please.
Here, Mad Howard shows his contempt for the American people. We are just sheep, who can be sold candidates and platforms like so much laundry detergent.
So just 'come clean', rats (heh, heh).
Be out with it! Rename your party to the "DemonRat Party". Works for us! That's what you've become! Wear it well and proud!
Its the view that the message's good, we just need spiffier packaging. More process over substance. Its good to see they never learn from their mistakes.
This is beyond denial. Words escape me.
Dean is leading them further into the desert. Let's hope it's at least 40 years before they find their way out.
What values? All I heard was hate Bush and France good. Yeah, they're values accepted in Flyover Country. <sarcasm
I would love to see Dean as DNC chair. Imagine all those debates with Hannity or O'Reilly.
As Rush said, the Democrats' biggest fear is Dean becomes DNC Chairman. Their second biggest fear is Dean doesn't become DNC Chairman.
I think the moaning and groaning goes something like "YYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!"
One word for the next four years. Howie will be even more splendid than Terry McAwful. How many losses can they take and still call it "victory?" (laughing)
LOL!!!!
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