Does DNC or DLC or any Democratic Organization have a research dept

[Toots]

There are literally countless number of quotes from Republicans that could be used for political advertisements or for that matter for issues being voted upon in Congress but I never ever see them mentioned. How many Republican quotes could be used from the Clinton era? Remember Gingrich saying if Clinton's budget were to be passed it would litterally destroy the American economy. America went on to enjoy the greatest economic expansion in history. Gingrich was not alone in spouting off. On virtually every issue there are quotes that should and could be used. republican like to hear the sound of their own voices so they are constantly spouiting off. It is way past time for them to be held accountable for what they say. I see lists of quotes occasionally here on DU that are quite embarrassing for Republicans at this stage in their careers but all we get is silence from offical quarters. Is it for lack of research or is it like the ethics committee situation. Democrats won't bring up Republican quotes if Republicans won't bring up Democrat's quotes. I am amazed daily at the weapons we are handed but never ever use. What am I missing here? This seems so straight forward and logical but......

[Cogito ergo doleo]

1. Good question - I've wondered that myself

after watching the CBS/Killian memo thing play out. In fact, is there any sort of network at all akin to what the repubs have? Seems it would be in order to have a research dept., and contacts.

[PATRICK]

2. This is a good question

about party research and staffing. If I were a rep I would want an adequate supply of resources and people to plug them in with good analytical skills. Apparently the current skills may be too outmoded or inbred or misdirected and mired in structural tradition. I would also not be satisfied at being amazed at those newfangled computers and leave a divide between my youthful experts and my actions and speeches. I would also have a sense, I hope, of things not working right or in step.

Are offices tied into rigorous research and computer resources than can instantly supply reps and coordinate facts and responses? Should reps waste time on ghostly C-Span audiences meandering ignorantly through topics they could have researched in two minutes on a high speed modem? Can they sharpen and streamline debate and concentrate thus on more effective words and strategies? Are busy staffers lost in the same paper bureaucracy that the GOP simply waded through with pirate cutlasses? Are campaign directors wine and cheese party bean counters outside of the reality of a rigged system so much they almost exist in an alternate reality world? The same for media PR. The same for legislative work. A huge disconnect in according their peers across the aisle a professional respect absurd in a time of all out war against democracy. One-sided bi-partisanship is not even comprehensible..

Will the national committee provide some simple and tried support for new candidates bucking dishonest well-funded tactics? I still steam how putting two youngsters(a campaign manager with some early success and a Hillary staffer) against an entrenched sordid warhorse and make monumentally old blunders. I am not convinced the current party management at that time would have done any better but the cloned Rovian twist that ended the chance for good was really pathetic and pathetically handled. I don't think our honest candidate even now gets how it worked against her. Those who are as wise as serpents need to teach the doves.

The GOP easily plugs into an energetic franchise. We can do much more and cannot settle for an imitation of their parrot jungle, lapdog clone
criminal enterprise. It has to take another form and should have long ago.

[no_to_war_economy]

3. they wouldn't want to offend any red staters

we have to continue to fight them with kid gloves and be respectful

fuck that, go for the nuts!

[sojourner]

4. ooops...dupe

[sojourner]

5. They don't seem to be able to "walk and chew gum" --

they vascillate between criticism of the admin and trying to get out a "positive" message of their own crafting but focusing in the main on $$.

There has not been a streamlined "machine" in place - such as Repugs have -- to unify "message" and "strategy", while another part of the party focuses on $$.

The challenges appear to center around an inability to articulate a clear platform due strong disagreements about whether to base it on democratic principles or to pull the party to the right in order to attract "values" voters. Then there is a fundamental mistrust of the grassroots that persists among the DLC and which may still linger vestigially in the DNC, so there is no unified place from which to get out a message.

The party has been lacking in their ability to strike the Republicans effectively...in some apparent pretense that they are taking the "high road", which I consider ludicrous because an effective campaign need only be well thought out and make good use of the principles of psychology to be effective.

They don't have the skill that Republicans do for "drumming home a message". The resurgence of the DNC under Howard Dean has been the closest thing we have, but as we can see, the DLC wants to mute his message and soft-pedal the attacks. Not effective strategy. Not even close. I don't care WHO they think their base is.

[sojourner]

6. and research would be a GOOD start...

but they have to get their heads out of their asses long enough to appreciate it.

Should they decide they WANT research...they should give me a holler. I am a researcher and a social pyschologist...I've been calling for them to do this for over a year (use good psychology in getting their message out, not hire me :) ) and nada, zip, zilch. Makes me crazy.

[Cogito ergo doleo]

8. I'm a researcher too.

Have you actually had contact with someone?

[sojourner]

11. no more than the regular progressive activist here at DU...

but have noticed that many times they'd use something I suggested (usually a week or two after I'd sent it in...) --- so it encouraged me to keep writing.

Could have been complete coincidence, since my suggestions could have been similar to others made that finally got to the "tipping point".

What depressed me most was that they only seem to use the suggestion. Not the larger strategy. I've almost come to believe that the DNC/DLC really don't care about winning. Their existence is justified as long as they can drum up the big bucks and give the appearance of "fighting the good fight". How cynical is that?

Howard is my last hope for the party, despite all the brave (and well-intentioned) talk of DLC'ers and moderates round here.

[sojourner]

10. deleted

replied to wrong post - again!

[Cogito ergo doleo]

12. Thanks for your answer

It is to the credit of the opposition that constituents have a clear track on who to contact in the media, pundits, lawyers, and all levels of the party. Too bad that isn't in place for Dems, because I think this has a lot to do with rw success.

[sojourner]

13. but the rw knows its success depends on grassroots involvement.

up til now the democratic leadership hasn't shown the same level of openness. but you do make a valid and important point. might be time we started developing those direct lines of communication.

[Cogito ergo doleo]

16. Agreed.

And agree with you about Dean. Might be the best place to try to start.

[iconoclastNYC]

7. Center For American Progress.

http://www.americanprogress.org

[pattycake]

9. I think most of the Democratic leaders

make their own path and don't use clear, plain speaking talking points. They need to agree to agree and get the true facts out. Seems like some Dem senators are intellectual prima donnas and just don't try to connect with us commoners.

[sojourner]

14. yep

[TWiley]

15. It is not politically correct to tell the truth or to state the obvious.

Look at what happened to Howard Dean when he stated the obvious. Our leadership rushed to the microphones to denounce him.

Those who advocate the "we really should be above all that" mentality have caused our party to loose control of every branch of our government.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Yes! Unfortunately, they're devoted to researching how to get money.

[patcox2]

18. DNC has a great research department, prepares extensive briefing books on

all issues. I was research directoron a congressional campaign in 02 and had a lot of contact with them.

They have great resources available for individual politicians and candidates.

And if you pay close attention, many democrats have good talking points and use them, its just that the press doesn't report what they say.

The lack you are seeing is a lack of research and talking points prepared for general use on national issues, as opposed to individual campaign issues, and used by democratic talking heads, columnists, and others, on a "rapid response" basis.

Its not that this kind of research isn't done, it is, and it is used. But its not as obvious among democrats because democrats, the ones I worked with and know, by and large aren't the kind of people who march in lockstep and adhere to an orthodox party line and spout other people's words rather than their own. And journalists, columnists, and public figures sympathetic to the democrats are likewise more likely real journalists who would think it unethical to take walking orders from any central authority.

Its one of the things that makes us better than them.