A comment from the Centerfield blog:
"I think what's more important than whether the Chairperson is from or whether he/she is ostensibly liberal or moderate is whether that person can push the party to develop ideas. I think this a moribund party because it is not a party of ideas, liberal or conservative. The Republicans continually come up with ideas (e.g., social security privatization) and whether you like them or not, they have something to sell and talk about. They seem to be a party of action. The Democrats have been pretty much reduced, IMO, to saying, vote for us so nothing will change too much. It's easy for the Dems to talk about how much the middle class is struggling. Where are the ideas for helping the middle class? And I don't mean things like raising the minimum wage. That's nice, but it doesn't really address the structural problems that the middle class face. We have to do more than just blame the Republicans. The same is true in foreign policy and other issues. So, to me, the most important thing is whether the Chairperson can get the party off its ass and generating ideas. This should be something that appeals to liberals and moderates alike (although I think if a moderate proposed to declare mothers nice people, liberals would say they are selling out.) Liberals don't seem to grasp this, but the story has to be based on something more than just we don't like Bush.
I realize this is sort of off topic, but I just had to get that rant off my chest."
This comment is so right on about what's wrong not only with the Democrats, but moderate Republicans as well. I think both groups suffer from a lack of new ideas. Witness the whole Social Security debate. Love it or hate it, the Bushies have a flashy new idea. What do the Dems have? Well, not much. The Dems, especially are riding on ideas that were generated at least 40 years ago. Conservatives have developed a network of foundations and think tanks that are coming up with ideas. Liberals and Moderates are not coming up with new ideas to fit 21st century America (with the exception of the New America Foundation).
As the comment said, you have to say more than stuff like the middle class is hurting. What are your ideas? For moderate Republicans, we have to say more than we don't like where Bush is leading the party. What is our vision for a more moderate party?
The Bible says without a vision, people perish. So do political parties.
Posted by Dennis at January 13, 2005 09:27 AMGreat Post.
Points out the Achilles Heal of the Republican Party though. The Democrats, if they can find a relatively moderate candidate who believes in America, and is a better leader than Kerry can fall back on their traditional lines :
Socialized Medicine, Raising the Minimum Wage, strong "environmentalism", increased welfare benefits, more money to education, etc.
These are all things that if you look at the short term view seem great for our country. Get a man/woman who can wax eloquent about these ideas and helping the "common man" and you've got a ringer.
The Republicans have a tougher sell. They have to show that raising the minimum wage, environmentalism at the expense of a healthy economy, socialized medicine (not practical in a country this large) and money for benefits and education without accountability are actually BAD for the common man.
Bush won because a lot of us felt that not backing out of Iraq was a Moral Issue.
Take away the war...and Democrats might have a shot again. And so will all of their ideas.
"The Party of Ideas"
That would be the Greens. Well, at least they're the largest one.
Posted by: Brian at January 13, 2005 09:28 AM