H-E-L-L-O We're STILL waiting for a Democratic Message !

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Congressman George Miller D-CA (dem policy committee member) on Talk Left today, said that the Dems will have a cogent plan for a unified message. But WHEN? Yikes !

He said it was all a matter of timing. He is working with Reid and Pelosi and Dem Govs. And the message of what we stand for will be crystal clear. He was very defensive about criticism that the Dems don't have a message -- said that the Dems have done a lot -- cited anti-corruption and thwarting Assclown's SS plan.

I want to see this "plan" last week, last month, last year!! What in the hell are they waiting for?? Aren't they sick of hearing "The Dems have no plan?" Each day they waiting more people will believe there is never going to be a plan.

[Ufomammut]

1. Maybe some intentionally prevent a "message?"

I think so. Beyond that though, the dems are a rather weak "opposition" party - which leads me to believe that within some upper factions, it's every bit as contrived as the repug's supposed "incompetency" issues; they're not "incompetent," they're consciously choosing evil things. Big difference there.

Traditionally, dems have been a least a bit better on domestic policy. But in Amerika, that's all over. And whatever unifying message dems present, it'll never be given proper media coverage with all due emphasis, but instead, spun and spun and downplayed and dismissed, so that as many average people as possible will believe and swallow that lie: the dems have no message or plan. It's bullshit, but people will believe it because the 24/7 propaganda machine instructs them on what is "true."

[rocktivity]

2. Instead of huddling together trying manufacture something voters might buy

I hope they're actually getting voter input, too. It's amazing how much easier it is to sell something to people WANT it than it is to convince people they OUGHT to buy it.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Well, I received a survey from Pelosi and it was mostly about

Bush and how much I am for or against his policies.

There was one single question about what was the most important : (A) terrorism (B) new jobs (C) Affordable Health Care and (D) Better Schools.

This to me, just shows the narrow thinking. We need BIG BOLD ideas not just a rehash of what Bush is doing wrong.

[Minnesota Libra]

3. I've ranted on this before and no doubt will in the future but why.......

.....do we expect our party leaders to do something we, the rank and file, can't get done? :grr: It would be near impossible to get just 30 people on just this one message board to agree on any short list of issues.:argh: If we can't even manage that much we certainly aren't going to come up with a "Democratic Message" any time soon.:banghead:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. Well, I disagree. There have been many posts here that outline

a succinct set of beliefs. The only disagreement is how many more to add. And we've done it in an hour.

It just has to be broad - Like we put people before excessive corporate profits or we do not believe in unilateral invasion of a sovereign nation, etc. etc.

[Cocoa]

4. they're waiting til closer to the election

they remember that Newt's Contract with America was published just a few weeks before that 1994 election.

[Ufomammut]

6. ahem

I think you mean the Contract on America.

[madfloridian]

5. Hellooo....do a search on Harold Ickes and Data Warehouse.

And see who is getting your message together.

[RubyDuby in GA]

9. I read about this in the Post and it infuriates the hell out of me

What a bunch of goddamned sore losers. They couldn't get their boy in there, From, because the base wouldn't have it, so now they're essentially trying to start their own splinter Democratic party.

Fucking assholes. When will people learn that until those that represent factions other than the DNC sit down and shut the hell up we will never advance? We will continue to be the minority party and it will be deserved. Sore losers.

[Cocoa]

14. Harold Ickes endorsed Dean for DNC chair

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/28/national1626EST0624.DTL

Harold Ickes, a leading Democratic activist and former aide to President Clinton, said Friday he is backing Howard Dean to be chairman of the Democratic National Committee -- giving a powerful boost to the front-runner.

"I think all the candidates who are running have strong attributes, but Dean has more of the attributes than the others," said Ickes, who considered running for chairman himself before dropping out in early January. "Many people say Howard Dean is a northeastern liberal, he is progressive, but his tenure as governor of Vermont was that of a real moderate."

<snip>

Ickes' endorsement comes at a critical time in the chairman's race and gives Dean almost 50 of the more than 215 votes he would need to win the post.

<snip>

The candidates for Democratic chair are former presidential candidate Dean, former Texas Rep. Martin Frost, Democratic activists Donnie Fowler and Simon Rosenberg, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, former Indiana Rep. Tim Roemer and former Ohio state chair David Leland.

[Cocoa]

15. what does the data mining stuff have to do with a message?

the database story is interesting, possibly important, but it seems to me to be totally unrelated to the task of forming a message.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. Helllooo to you 2. Yes, they talked about Harold Ickes today on

Talk Left. It was concensus that HIS agenda is to get Hillary elected.

[stevietheman]

7. Hopefully, Democrats will realize that a message is not only...

about what you're against, but also what you're for.

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Yes

"We need to offer answers not just anger."~ John Kerry

[Laura PourMeADrink]

20. exactly - but I unfortunately feel it won't be !

[Coexist]

8. Here is your answer:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=365120
<snip>
One: American jobs that will stay in America, using energy independence to generate those jobs.

Two: A strong national defense based on telling the truth to our citizens, our soldiers and our allies.

Three: Honesty and integrity to be restored to government.

Four: A health care system that works for everybody just like they have in 36 other countries.

Five: A strong public education system so we can bring optimism and opportunity back to America

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. Bravo. See how easy ! What Dem could not support that??n/t

[sable302]

35. Not healthcare 'just like' other countries

That's always an easy invitation for the RW smearists.

We need to show how it'll work for everybody and is better than the rest of the world. Couple it with showing just how ours currently sucks, and sucks the cash out of just about everybody's wallet.

'Just like' language will invite the 'but look at the long lines in Canada' and that sort of thing.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. One eye on the polls, the other on the funding, to decide the "message".

Politics as usual.

[The_Casual_Observer]

11. george w bush

that's all the message they need.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. I must offer an addition " George W. Bush and the Republicans

who have Rubber Stamped him every step along the way."

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Did you not see Dean's information about the democratic message??

Go to http://www.democrats.org and click on the tag "agenda."

[Laura PourMeADrink]

26. No I didn't - Good - but I would have loved to have seen something on

the environment. I read that a republican said - that his inane stance on global warming was a very strong weakness - we could capitalize on.

Man, just listen to Robert Kennedy Jr talk about how sad he feels when the same lakes he fished in as a child are too polluted to fish now. This is very powerful stuff. Plus, it has important imagery for advertisements - adding in how Bush and repigs loosened regs for big corps dumping.

[madrchsod]

17. i`m not going to hold my breath

all i see is alot of bullshit from the national party on who is best for "their party" not the countries. they won`t even back muthra and they have done everything possible to silence Cynthia McKinney....

[Ufomammut]

22. Right on

The few brave who don't bow to their masters don't get much public attention, do they?

[newyawker99]

43. Hi Ufomammut!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[PBass]

30. They can't wait until the last minute to get the message out

because it takes time for this stuff to sink in with the public. Democrats are going to win or lose in November based on what they are doing NOW, not because of some last minute ad campaign in October.

Also, there doesn't have to be a unified consensus on ANY issue, just find the most prevalent consensus. Look at the GOP, everyone knows they are generally "anti choice". If a candidate like Giuliani wants to buck the party line on abortion, it is treated like an exception to the rule, and nothing more. Nobody says Giuliani's abortion position is an act of rebellion against the leadership of Ken Mehlman (the way some people try to badmouth Howard Dean). If there are less-progressive Democrats who want to go against specific planks in the party platform, that's fine, but let them do it as "exceptions to the rule".

[WilliamPitt]

24. OK

Here's one.

No one thinks abortion is good, but freedom of choice is an absolute.

Alternative energy industry will create jobs, clean the air and make the Middle East unimportant. It is a national security issue.

Millions of elderly people have been screwed by the revisions to Medicare D. We will fix it.

Withdrawal plan from Iraq.

How's that?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

28. It's excellent. It's so damn infuriating how easy this should be -

Give any of us here a day and you'd have 1,000 perfectly good, simple, succinct platforms.

[specimenfred1984]

25. What's the Repuke's Message, Torture & Corruption?

It's totally clear what the dem message is: Pro-choice, pro-healthcare, pro-worker, pro-equal rights, balanced budget, end the war, impeach the traitors and accoutability.

DINO (democrats in name only) may not agree but they aren't really dems are they?

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. Hell-O...I'm still waiting for the Dems to pick a battle...and run with it

:hi:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

29. Yes. I don't think that they can use the "We saved Social Security"

forever.

[Beaverhausen]

33. The dems are busy trying to keep the repukes from ruining our country

They can't really get much done on their own when they have to fight the party in power.

And Dean and the dems DO have a message. It's been posted above.

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. I agree Dean has a message and wants to get it out there.

Trying to keep the republicans from ruining our country IS picking battles...not rolling over and voting. :shrug:

and, just in case...here is my son...so you know where my loyalties lie:

[Beaverhausen]

37. Rolling over and voting...Ok I'll give you that

But I just wish people would lighten up a bit on how ineffective the Dems are when they really don't have much power to do anything proactive...they can only be reactive.

I think it would be more productive for us to try and be positive about the message that Dean has laid out and for us to try and spread it whenever possible.

We can memorize those 5 points and throw them out whenever confronted with "what do the dems stand for."

Your son is a cutie!

[ScreamingMeemie]

38. It's why I still am involved with DFA.

But, I am also constantly writing letters to our congresspeople in the hopes of spreading the word throughout our own party as well.

Thank you Beaverhausen! He's our pride and joy...and already fighting the good fight. :)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. I'll do that when I hear the first Dem utter them in a sentence on tv.

[Beaverhausen]

50. Dean did recently

I think it was on Meet the Press.

What other dems even get on TV when they aren't reacting to something or other the repukes are doing?

[TahitiNut]

39. That's a great looking kid, Laura! (Hope he's got some mischief in 'im.)

:evilgrin:

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. More than I can handle even...

;)

I had a root canal today and told him he had to be nice to me...and he said,"Does this mean you're not going to do anything for me today?" Sigh...

[TahitiNut]

48. Well, if I lived closer ...

... I'd volunteer to babysit. :evilgrin: Every kid can use another responsible adult friend who can coach him in being a more creative PITA for his parents. It's his job, after all. :silly:

[KharmaTrain]

31. Elections Are 6 Months Away...

So you want someone to telegraph a campaign game plan for Rove and his henchmen to be able to distort? Or is it that you have swallowed the meme that "Democrats have no ideas" or issues. Must be one or the other.

A manager doesn't show his game plan months before the game. Do you think Gingrich had his "Contract On America" meme out there in March '94? Nope...that wasn't rolled out until AFTER Labor day...the home stretch of the campaign. It was echoed by every candidate, heard on every TV and radio station/ad on the dial and used the news cycle effectively during those closing days of the election to make big changes.

Now which plan do you want? Considering there are still primaries and races to fill...how can you plan a strategy when you don't have all your players in place.

Right now, the Repugnicans are imploding and giving us a cornicopia of issues and scandals to go after. Good chance each district can pinpoint a specific issue and scandal and really tar the incumbent GOOP...but that's still down the road. Right now we let these goons twist in the wind and eat each other alive. They've done a great job in the last year in destroying themselves, why should we stop them now? I'm ready to give 'em more rope.

If you're not hearing a solid Democratic message in September...THEN let's discuss what's going on.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. I would agree BUT not this time. With each passing day, the

constant drumbeat that the Dems have no plan, no ideas, is their BEST hope. It will become conventional wisdom before we get our plan out there, if it isn't already. So any gains by last minute surprise plan will be totally offset by the damage they are inflicting now.

[KharmaTrain]

36. If You Believe That, Then You've Drank Some Kool-Aid

In all due respect, I see plenty of plans, plenty of ideas...no megaphone. Without a bully pulpit like the corporate media...and, even worse, one that's infested with Rovian shills who ape that "no message" meme endlessly as a deflection of their own corruption, how do you expect to hear anything?

In the past 6 months, the swing of voters prefering a Democrat over a Repugnican in their local house races have gone up nearly 10 points. That was done without "a message" or anything other than letting the Repugnican dig themselves into a hole. Years of their corruption and hypocrisy are now coming home to roost and the last thing the Democrats should do right now is give the wingnuts a distraction that diverts attention away from the ongoing implosion of that inept and corrupt party and it's even more evil regime.

How can you base a final campaign when you really don't know what issues will be on people's minds in November. Maybe oil prices will zoom again and that will be what's on people's minds when they go to the polls in November...or a terrible loss of American military lives in Iraq or another corporate scandal or Hurricane Abramoff leads to the indictments, trials and convictions, or the NSA case really blows wide open or Fitzgerald hands down an indictment with a Rove or Chenney attached to it. There's so much on the horizon...and so much more devestation for the Repugnicans to come...and you're antsy about what the Democrats will or won't do? You'd be a terrible poker player.

Yes, the Democrats need to focus on some solid, winning issues/messages, but this should be done district by district. This isn't a national race...and this shouldn't be a mandate on booosh. The ultimate message this fall will be putting the entire Repugnican party on the ballot...and a death by a thousand cuts endures more than the attempt at one stab.

Cheers...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

44. Well, I am not talking about issues here. I am talking about

broad, sweeping tenets of our party. These are the basis for all the issues that have been raised and will be raised. For instance, here's one example: "We believe in putting PEOPLE before excessive corporate profits."

I know, there are probably a hundred of examples or issues of how the Repigs did just the opposite. Like prescription drugs, where they favored pharmaceuticals over people, and why we can't bid out for the best prices. Or pollution and how the repigs have eased the environmental standards for big business favoring them over the health of our people and our land. These are all documented facts that when rolled together show a pattern that repigs do not put people first. And, I disagree, this approach would fit for every district. All you have to do is pick the issue of your liking that shows that repigs put everyday people second.

But the overall message, and the one I used could probably be written a hundred times better, is a simple declaration. One that is a theme. One that can be repeated over and over. And will catch on with the people.

Yes, I agree, we have no bully pulpit, but we do have people before microphones every now and then. We have people on talk shows and Sunday news shows. If every one, every time they spoke utter a few simple ideals, core beliefs, eventually they would catch on.

Besides, because there are SO many difficult, sometimes complex crimes and failings of this administration and repig rubber stamps, it serves as a good way to organize all of them.

[UrbScotty]

40. H-E-L-L-O, you need to see the DNC WEBSITE and ignore GOP talking points!

http://www.democrats.org/agenda.html

The whole myth of the Dems not having an agenda is a favorite Wrong Wing talking point.

Frankly, I'd like to see a GOP agenda.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. thanks for the link - but I'm am one dem who is looking for them

to repeat our core beliefs at every opportunity. How many people will actually look these up online?

good start though, waiting for it to "take off"

[Harald Ragnarsson]

41. They were so busy keeping their powder dry

they didn't notice the roof was leaking over where they had their plan at.

So, it's coming. It just has to dry out enough to read it and be typed, but it's coming, don't despair. Just keep pulling that D leveer and things will be all right eventually.

[cascadiance]

47. It's that way by DLC corporate design!...

If you have to keep two groups of people happy (people constituents and corporate special interests) with two different viewpoints/agendas, then the best thing is to say nothing to keep them both happy. THAT is what is happening now!

[mdmc]

49. there is a better way

:kick: