Why Democrats need a "war room" ?

[kentuck]

Republicans are very good at improvising short-range strategies as well as planning long range political strategies. Democrats tend to work with the status quo and react to Republican plans and ideas when they disagree with them. Unfortunately, it is not enough when the other side has aggressive and opportunistic planners like Rove and Co.

As we recall, Carville and Begala had a "war room" to counter the attacks of the Bush I Administration. They were well aware of Willie Horton-type attacks from previous campaigns. They knew how ruthless this bunch was that they were running against. And they were effective.

It seems to me that the Democrats need a "war room" now even moreso than then. The opposition has no conscience and will do whatever is necessary to win and maintain power. The first thing Democrats have to decide to do is to get down and dirty with the opposition. It is not possible to keep your suit and hands clean when fighting such an opponent.

Perhaps we should have a "Democratic Strategy" Room here at DU to discuss just such issues. For example, it is my opinion that this SD law is the start of the Republican strategy for November's election. If you have noticed, they plan on passing similar legislation is about 10 more states. Coincidentally, many of the states are the same ones they put the "anti-gay" initiatives on the ballot in the last election. So if we know what their strategy is, it is easier to counter. Knowledge is invaluable. Then we only have to figure out what our counter strategy will be...

[blondeatlast]

1. DU has a Dem Party forum that is largely ignored. But I absolutely agree

with you. We need smart people ready to strategize and react to every fringe issue and every move the Rs make.

One of our major problems as Dems is that we don't have the powers of the Heritage Foundation's TAX-EXEMPT strategists and press room, all ready, willing and able to respond at a moment's notice to any issue that comes up.

Hell--they even have a freaking BOOKING AGENCY.

We need the same, if albeit on a smaller, less well-funded scale. We've got the smarts to overcome that weakness.

[AtomicKitten]

2. Yes!

As much as James Carville is vilified here on DU, he ran a kick-ass War Room for President Clinton in 1992. Really excellent in-your-face strategy that neutralized BushCo's incessant strategic maneuvers to tank his run.

[kentuck]

3. The challenge is not to become too scattered...

There are many, many Repub issues that Democrats can attack. However, the more attacks on different issues, the more diluted will be the effect. We must stay focused on two or three issues at most at a time. For example, todays issues would be the Dubai port sales, the line-item veto, and the NSA spying investigation...

[blondeatlast]

4. What the Rs have done, very successfully, is strategize

based on 2-3 key issues and tie every single issue into that agenda.

For instance, increasingly privatizing education makes it even more difficult for the underprivieged to get into college. Voila! The NeoCons have a steady supply of military recruits. One can see how abortion and access to birth control can easily work into this as well.

We need to do the same both long and short term.

[blondeatlast]

5. K--already r'ed by me. nt

[calimary]

6. I'll kick this, too.

K&R.

Our party DOES need a "War Room." And it needs to be staffed 24-hours a day, and people need to crash under the tables when they need sleep. Keep the coffee and black (and green) tea coming, too.