March 15, 2005
SORRY FELLAS, THE THIRD WAY LED RIGHT:
What We Stand For: Americans don't know what Democrats believe in. It's time to tell them. (Al From and Bruce Reed, 3/16/05, Blueprint)
Here are some simple truths every Democrat needs to hear. To win back the White House in 2008, our party must change. We must be willing to discard political strategies that may make us feel good but that keep falling short. We must finally reject the false choice between exciting our base and expanding our appeal, because unless we both motivate and persuade, we'll lose every time.But above all, Democrats must be bold and clear about what we stand for. It's time to show the millions of people who can't tell what Democrats stand for that any American who believes in security, opportunity, and responsibility has a home in the Democratic Party. [...]
If we want voters, especially those in America's heartland, to take a new look at the Democratic Party, we must have the courage to take on the great challenges of our time: making America safe; building an opportunity society; standing up for core values of responsibility and family; and reforming a political system that is broken and corrupt.
Closing the national security gap. [...]
Building an Opportunity Society. [...]
Standing up for responsibility. [...]
Reforming a broken system to bring democracy back.
In other words, the Bush agenda only with an electoral fix so that Democrats get to run the country despite being the 40% party. Posted by Orrin Judd at March 15, 2005 11:59 PM
Yes, if Democrats want power back, all they have to do is become Republicans.
Posted by: jd watson at March 16, 2005 3:01 AMIt's an even better trick. Those Dems who believe in all of the above are 40% of the 40% Party...
Posted by: Moe from NC at March 16, 2005 6:49 AMEveryone I know that hates Republicans, yet has very little reason to support Democrats, also hates Christians and fears them being in power. They tolerate them as neighbors, but hate them as governors.
The two party system forces both parties to fight for the middle, so they will tend to become very similar. The real differences are social and religious and the Republicans are winning that fight big time.
Posted by: Randall Voth at March 16, 2005 6:50 AM"Everyone I know that hates Republicans ..., also hates Christians and fears them being in power. They tolerate them as neighbors, but hate them as governor.
And it never occurs to those people that the feeling might be mutual. Based on their actions while in power the last few decades, the "hate" for anti-Republicans, unlike the attitude described above, has some justification. Or at least they are just returning the favor.
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at March 16, 2005 12:08 PMIn other words, Bruce Reed and Al From are saying: "vote for me because I can best resist and even disguise what my party is always clamoring to do".
Not a really effective position, is it? Bill Clinton couldn't do it very well, either - see HillaryCare, Lani Guinier, Bill Lann Lee, etc.
Nixon was far better at the shuffle than Clinton was. And both had no strong opponents, until Nixon was caught in his lies by the press. Clinton was just lucky the press was on side, and luckier still that the economy was not as it was in 1973/74.
And it would be nice if a Democrat showed how much he/she believed in strength by kicking some moonbats out of the party; likewise with opportunity and responsibility.
All the talk from these 'voices of wisdom' means nothing without some party discipline. Look how much power these 'voices' have had since 1980 - virtually none, except when Clinton listened to them.
Posted by: jim hamlen at March 16, 2005 12:44 PM