This editorial may be of interest to those who are blaming the 59 million Americans for voting Bush to four more years in White House and not the leadership of their own party. The Democratic party needs to find an agenda for 2008 and a candidate who will appeal to all of America- the two coasts and the land in between. Mrs. Clinton is not this candidate. Are we planting a new crop for 2008?
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Our Voice: Democrats: Listen to Clinton�s advice � work on image
The Desert Sun
November 7th, 2004
Learn from defeat, redefine future message
Democrats should heed the advice of former President Bill Clinton -- stop whining and start working on your image -- now.
With George W. Bush�s re-election secured and the Republican party�s dominant entrenchment in the political landscape guaranteed for at least another two years, the Democratic Party should start rethinking and re-crafting its message to the American people.
The pendulum has swung far to the conservative side, but that doesn�t mean all is lost for the Democrats. Politics are fickle and cyclical, and the party will no doubt have another day in the sun -- but not without some serious soul searching.
It�s plain and simple -- Republicans have done a good job paying attention to the values Americans care about. Much of their political success is derived from listening to the people.
Last week, after the election, Clinton made a wise observation about his party and how it contributed t! o its own defeat: �If we let people believe that our party doesn�t believe in faith and family, doesn�t believe in work and freedom, that�s our fault.�
Astute summation from a man who had no trouble defining, articulating and delivering the party�s message during his time in Washington. Democrats would be wise to sit up and take note -- and take responsibility -- for their part in their second consecutive presidential election loss.
But things may not be as bad as they appear. We aren�t convinced that the country is really as divided as we are led to believe. We are mostly moderates who care about our families, other people, our country and the future. Just as we urged Bush to leave a moderate legacy, so too must the Democrats move toward the center to reflect where the country is.
Democrats should also look to this as an opportunity. The party has two years to refine and redefine its message before the next Congressional race and a four-year cushion to test and ! fine-tune its platform before the 2008 presidential election.
The key is to stop spinning and start listening -- and asking questions. What is important to the American people? Are civil rights and moral values mutually exclusive? Is there a way to promote a responsible social agenda while at the same time respecting the strong and steadfast religious beliefs of others?
We think so. It�s all in the presentation. Democrats are going to have to move closer to the center and moderate their message until moderates who are open to democratic ideology -- but are unwilling to embrace the liberal extremism of some of the more vocal party leaders -- are willing to tune in.
A strong Democratic Party that appeals to moderates will strengthen our democracy. Instead of voters having to choose between the extremes of the two parties -- and not being thrilled with either offering -- those �on the fence� will have a more palatable option.
Once socially moderate Republican! s see that the Democratic agenda is more closely aligned with their own, that is when we may witness a great exodus to �the other side.� With this newfound momentum, the pendulum would begin to swing toward the center. When this happens, the Republicans will be forced to respond with moderation of their own philosophies -- back toward the center.
Instead of swinging for the fences on social agendas, Democrats should aim for incremental successes on issues of gay marriage and other highly volatile wedge issues that Republicans cashed in on election day. We want to see our country progress in its extension of equal rights for all, but it won�t happen until a more moderate approach is adopted.
Democrats have the power to move the country back toward the center, but they must stop licking their wounds, pick themselves up off the floor and start working toward this reality today. Four years fly by awfully quickly -- 2008 will be here before you know it.
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The Desert Sun
November 7th, 2004
Learn from defeat, redefine future message
Democrats should heed the advice of former President Bill Clinton -- stop whining and start working on your image -- now.
With George W. Bush�s re-election secured and the Republican party�s dominant entrenchment in the political landscape guaranteed for at least another two years, the Democratic Party should start rethinking and re-crafting its message to the American people.
The pendulum has swung far to the conservative side, but that doesn�t mean all is lost for the Democrats. Politics are fickle and cyclical, and the party will no doubt have another day in the sun -- but not without some serious soul searching.
It�s plain and simple -- Republicans have done a good job paying attention to the values Americans care about. Much of their political success is derived from listening to the people.
Last week, after the election, Clinton made a wise observation about his party and how it contributed t! o its own defeat: �If we let people believe that our party doesn�t believe in faith and family, doesn�t believe in work and freedom, that�s our fault.�
Astute summation from a man who had no trouble defining, articulating and delivering the party�s message during his time in Washington. Democrats would be wise to sit up and take note -- and take responsibility -- for their part in their second consecutive presidential election loss.
But things may not be as bad as they appear. We aren�t convinced that the country is really as divided as we are led to believe. We are mostly moderates who care about our families, other people, our country and the future. Just as we urged Bush to leave a moderate legacy, so too must the Democrats move toward the center to reflect where the country is.
Democrats should also look to this as an opportunity. The party has two years to refine and redefine its message before the next Congressional race and a four-year cushion to test and ! fine-tune its platform before the 2008 presidential election.
The key is to stop spinning and start listening -- and asking questions. What is important to the American people? Are civil rights and moral values mutually exclusive? Is there a way to promote a responsible social agenda while at the same time respecting the strong and steadfast religious beliefs of others?
We think so. It�s all in the presentation. Democrats are going to have to move closer to the center and moderate their message until moderates who are open to democratic ideology -- but are unwilling to embrace the liberal extremism of some of the more vocal party leaders -- are willing to tune in.
A strong Democratic Party that appeals to moderates will strengthen our democracy. Instead of voters having to choose between the extremes of the two parties -- and not being thrilled with either offering -- those �on the fence� will have a more palatable option.
Once socially moderate Republican! s see that the Democratic agenda is more closely aligned with their own, that is when we may witness a great exodus to �the other side.� With this newfound momentum, the pendulum would begin to swing toward the center. When this happens, the Republicans will be forced to respond with moderation of their own philosophies -- back toward the center.
Instead of swinging for the fences on social agendas, Democrats should aim for incremental successes on issues of gay marriage and other highly volatile wedge issues that Republicans cashed in on election day. We want to see our country progress in its extension of equal rights for all, but it won�t happen until a more moderate approach is adopted.
Democrats have the power to move the country back toward the center, but they must stop licking their wounds, pick themselves up off the floor and start working toward this reality today. Four years fly by awfully quickly -- 2008 will be here before you know it.
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