OK, So The Dems Didn't Quite Start Their Revolution In San Diego -Newsweek

[kpete]

Outside the Beltway
To regain control in Washington, Democrats need to look for new ideas and new leaders from across America—and from cyberspace.

WEB-EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY
By Howard Fineman
Newsweek

June 7, 2006 - OK, so the Dems didn’t quite start their revolution in San Diego. Their candidate railed against the corruption of Washington—logically enough, since the race was to replace the disgraced Randy (Duke) Cunningham. The Republicans were forced to pour in $5 million and hundreds of staffers to defend a House seat in a famously conservative district. The Democrats can take heart from the fact that the race was close. But they also should learn a lesson, which is that talking about Washington—even if you’re attacking the immorality of the place—isn’t the only strategy, or even the main one.

For Democrats hoping to claw their way back to national power, this is the strategic paradox: to regain control of the political Establishment, they must forget about it.

Democrats aren’t likely to find leaders and answers here in the capital, and can’t expect the traditional media to light the way. Instead, Democrats need to be a “states' rights” party in a new sense, shunning the sclerotic political machinery of the capital for the new ideas, programs and tactics sprouting in the states—and in the digital netroots of America.

Americans want optimism and ideas, and are tired of hearing about the capital.

If the country needs another new infusion of outside-the-Beltway blood—and it always does—Dems have to figure out a way to supply it.

more at:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13185290/site/newsweek/

[villager]

1. good lord, am I in danger of agreeing with Fineman?

n/t

[Teaser]

3. stopped clock

right twice a day....

you know the drill.

[WCGreen]

2. Howard Speakith the truth.....The corruption

gets us a chance....

The ideas will have to resonate in order to bring it home....

[MsUnderstood]

4. c'mon this is just not right

I mean, isn't this how bush "won" in 2004, by declaring he would bring back honor and dignity to the white house?

Why can't we run on the same values? Oh yea, because the republicans poor millions of dollars into the race then pick apart the democratic candidate using smear tactics seen in 2004 and still bought by those clueless Americans we call lovingly refer to as voters.

Damn if only the people we hatefully refer to as lazy slacking no good couch potatoes who need to get off their ass and be a part of the problem er voting block would have woken up and put in a vote. . .

*sarcastic rant off*

[Nikki Stone 1]

5. The problem wasn't Beltway-itis: it was turnout, and election fatigue

The strategy had to be to get over the election fatigue. Make the Dems understand how important it was to get their asses to the polls just one more time.

[OzarkDem]

6. They have to neutralize wedge issues

and bring women voters back into the fold.