[Hendrix]

"Very vague and general statements; basically noncommittal nonsense. If they committed themselves then they'd lose half of their voters to the far left."

Exactly, and probably at least half of everyone else. Bottom line is that their ideas are not popular despite what they claim the polls say. If they were popular, they would run on them.

[dhs12345]

Another issue: they have to differentiate themselves from Republicans. And Republicans, for the most part, have a monopoly on the real, practical solutions (IMHO).

I am biased of course, but raising taxes, cutting and running in Iraq, no serious commitment or solution for the war on terror (only to blame the US and buddy up with countries who hate the US), they don't have the upper hand on illegal immigration, or ethics ....