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The Problem For Progressives
Do they need better ideas — or better campaigns?
7 Responses to “The Problem For Progressives”
Both. They need charismatic candidates who can get their message out, and they need to offer solutions to today’s challenges. Voters identify with “personality” candidates that they feel they can trust–Reagan, FDR, Clinton, even GW had that advantage.
One sure way to lose support is to be seen as the party of no ideas. For the longest time the entire Democratic strategy seemed to center on the self-immolation of the Republicans. They figured all they had to do is stay out of the way and the opposition would self-destruct. Even if that worked, the default victory would be hollow and temporary.
Voters, especially those who are not die-hard Democrats want clear options- otherwise they’ll just stay home. The Democrats need to lure back independents and the Reagan Democrats who deserted the party. They need to be seen as the party of working families and the middle class-not just the disadvantaged and poor. America is hungry for technological advances that will help us ease off our oil addiction, protect the environment, and help us stay competitive–this issue should be huge –but instead I’ve heard more about the minimum wage.
I’m frustrated with my party for offering so little in the way of choice.
Republicans are completely controlled by corporate interests. They have always been this way. They will always do exactly what their corporate masters want. They cannot sell this to the population so they spread propaganda to get votes. They sell a false prosperity message to younger Americans whom have no idea what they are buying, but will make only a very few prosperous.
They search every nook and cranny for the dumb-arse vote via talk radio and Rupert Murdoc’s cable fox news with every kind of false crap they can spread. Confusing as many people as they can while their corporate masters steal them blind by way over-pricing of products and services, then blame it on taxes.
Finally, they play the big patriot, which is also BS beyond belief. My parents remember when republicans were siding with nazi philosophy in 1939, because it was “self motivating”. What they really wanted was more work for less pay. Not to mention anything to keep from paying the taxes FDR levied to rebuild our economy from the disaster caused by republican economics designed to shift the people’s wealth to the extremely rich and bankrupting the country, (Just like they are doing right now).
Republicans want small government because it is weakened government and therefore easily controlled by rich corporations whom could care less about the people of this nation, nor their “share holders”. Except the very largest share holders that is.
It is quite self defeating for the average American to vote republican, but the republicans count on it.
Sal: I’m glad to hear that you think you’re so much smarter than the majority of American voters, but your argument is not well made.
The question was whether Democratic candidates need new/better ideas, or just new/better marketing. I think Kim is right, and both are required.
One thing which the Democratic institutions should try to remember is that their opposition is also doing what they believe is in the best interest of the country. Starting from false premeses is the quickest way to false conclusions.
David B
Read it again.
My argument is simply that the Democrat party has the perfect platform already. No change required. All they need to do is expose the republicans for the fraud they are. Which should be easy considering the massive failure to date on behalf of a government that completely controls all three branches of government.
The voter may have been fooled the last election, but I betcha not this time around.
Democrats need to change nothing.
Sal, as you can read yourself, is quite uninformed about U.S. politics. He’s strong on rhetoric but weak on substance. One example, there is a rift within the Republican party between a large part of the base in the South and Southwest that wants tighter immigration controls and the Party’s corporate sponsors that want to encourage immigration via guest worker programs. This is a big conflict within the Republican Party. So when Sal makes a comment like:
“Republicans are completely controlled by corporate interests. They have always been this way. They will always do exactly what their corporate masters want.”
You know he does not know what he’s talking about. It makes me wonder if you know much about anything to make such a silly statement.
Plus, the Republican Party has changed a lot over time. It has not stayed the same. So to say it has “always been this way” displays the weakness of your understanding of U.S. political history.
And to make this statement:
“My argument is simply that the Democrat party has the perfect platform already.”
Proves you don’t understand much about politics in the U.S. So does your notion that people only vote Republican because they are duped. This is a major mistake on your part, and those that think (I’m using the word loosely here) like yourself.
People vote Republican because they feel the party represents their interests: whether that is decreasing taxes, a strong national defense, etc. If the Democratic Party had such a great platform and ideas, more people would be voting Democratic. Unfortunately Americans don’t.
Any bounce the Democrats receive in these mid-term elections will be primarly due to the public’s dissatisfaction with the Republicans, not the Democrats’ ideas, programs or platform. The fact of the matter is people like yourself have been saying the same thing for years–we need to move further left–and it has not won Democrats elections. While centrist Democrats like Clinton who actually win elections are decried by the Party’s left wing. It’s time for Democrats to decide whether they want to be a reasonable party of the center left–and win elections. Or, whether they want to pander to the Sal’s in this country–and become irrelevant.
WEVS1
You are correct on just about all points. The only thing I would add is that many voters have to weigh the agenda of each party and make an informed decision as to which side matches their interests at the time. With many people, what matters most changes from time to time. For instance, national defense might be the defining issue during one election yet take a back-seat to the economy during another. But great points all around.
WEVS1- I totally agree, as well. Voters may find the Republicans social agenda offensive or believe they are corrupt, but vote for them anyway because at least they have solid stands on the issues.
Liberals only represent about 22% of the population, which is far from being enough to win an election, unless you can attract Moderates. A lot of Liberals seem to concentrate on anti-poverty measures, but that is too narrow a focus. Also, if candidates are anti-business it hampers the creation of jobs and development of a healthy economy. Centrists like Clinton are the only practical solution for the Democratic Party. We are never going to have an expanded welfare state-which is what you would get with far-left candidates, and they are not electable.
Sal- Your suggestion that the Democrats do not need an agenda is my biggest problem with today’s Democrats. I’m a Democrat, but I’d wonder if they’re elected, what will they do in office? Not be a Republican??? They already are being lampooned by Republicans as the party of no ideas. If you have no ideas-don’t call yourself a Progressive!