We can all agree that the Refuglycans are hurting like never before:
“This is the worst shape I’ve seen the Republicans in since at least 1982,” said independent analyst Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, an independent newsletter. “They’re running uphill.”
Okay, assuming “never” means since 1982. Still, they’re down for the count, and based on their empty six-point vision statement, I’d say the Democrats think like this guy:
Nothing Republicans do between now and the November elections will stop the massive losses that await them at the polls. With President Bush unpopular with Republicans and Democrats alike, the prodigious campaigning he did in 2002 will not be repeated in 2006.
Senator Schumer gives us a window into what the Party is banking on:
“High gas prices are going to be the final nail in the GOP’s coffin this year,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who signed a letter with other Democratic senators chastising the Republicans for not eliminating “unnecessary and unwarranted tax breaks for the oil and gas industry.”
Our Party refuses to take a stand on Iraq, has yet to mention the environment as an official concern, and seems content to send cranky letters to the bullies across the aisle or puff up over the idea of supporting “security” and “economic independence.” Awwwwwesome.
If you feel confident we might pick up a seat or two this fall, I’m with you. If you think we’ll net the 15 we need to take control of the House by continuing along this path of non-action, please consider the following:
1) The Party is ignoring its base.
It’s never been easier to get the green thumbs involved, but you hear nary a peep on planet safety from the Party leadership. Recent violent rape cases have ripped at the myth that race is no longer an issue, but who from the Democrats has had the guts to speak up about it? The internet is being stolen out from under us, but no strong Democratic campaign has been mobilized against this theft.
Like 2004, the Party assumes people who care about those issues will vote for them anyway. Unfortunately, just as in 2004, it’s more likely that a great many folks who care about those issues feel ignored or abandoned and will simply stay away from the polls entirely.
Nobody plays to their base like ‘fuglycans. One peep from a Christian hate group can send them into action, particularly around election time, and after the results are in, GOPers hand the JesusFreaks control of the FDA or whatever bureaucracy they’d like to abuse.
They also aren’t afraid to send strong cultural messages. “Hate gays? You’re with the GOP! Hate women? Sign up here. Like having your sons and daughters killed on foreign soil? Give ‘em hell with the Elephant!”
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Democrats ever came across so strongly and specifically? They’d have the added bonus of not being horribly evil, and that still has to matter to some folk.
2) The Party is appealing to the wrong swing vote.
Trying to act tough by saying the word “security” enough times won’t help you win over any warmongers this fall. Playing to the frightened simpletons hiding behind Bush’s skirt may confuse some of them but won’t make them your pals. They see through your pretend-hate into your all-too-gentle soul, and it sickens them.
Let go of trying to win some macho pissing contest and go for the people BushCo. just put in the crosshairs: supporters of immigrants’ rights.
Coming out in favor of tolerance and progressive reform on immigration could have a dramatic impact in the South and West, areas the Party has repeatedly targeted as cause for concern. I’m sure some Democrats are speaking up a bit, don’t get me wrong, but there is no strong national voice on the subject, no unified Party reaching out to all the people willing to risk their jobs and safety to protest.
A lot of long-term loyalty could be earned in the coming weeks on this issue. Unfortunately, my money’s on the Democrats missing yet another golden opportunity to make gains by offering national leadership on a crucial issue.
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Taking control of either house of Congress will be a difficult task, and it will require more than waiting for the Bush-haters to come out and vote for a Party that forgot how to stand up for itself.
Maybe you think things are going swimmingly, I dunno. But I’ve got Russ Feingold in my corner:
“We’re not going to win in 2006 by default. We’re not going to win in 2006 by running out the clock,” he said.
“People want the Democrats to stand up,” Feingold said. “They are tired of us playing it too careful, or we don’t stand up for what we believe.”
Hallelujah! Now if you can just tell me what exactly you believe in, we’ll be all set.
I really do have to wonder how much it would change if the get out the vote activists were provided an actual platform to give to people they talk to. I suspect it would make all the difference in the world.
Indeed. Even the leaders themselves would be helped. Dean was out campaigning door-to-door in Charlotte this weekend to take his Vision to the people, but the only thing people seemed impressed by was the appaearance of a pseudo-celeb in their hamlet.
Perhaps if the message were stronger, the reporter might be inclined to mention it and the locals might be inclined to remember it.
[...] If one of us can articulate a simple set of tangible values the Democrats shouldn’t find it so impossible. We know they are ignoring us while they spew platitudes designed to appeal to the largest possible focus group but I fail so see how that has increased Democratic formidability. [...]
[...] I’ve said it and said it and said it. [...]