It's Time To Redefine Our Party and Win This Election

[ginchinchili]

Are the Americans who elected Bush to office (more or less) disappointed about the way things have unfolded in Iraq? Yes. Does that mean they've let go of their conservative moorings and are finally embracing the Clintons? Not on your life. Can the Democrats convince enough of them that there is a better way than where the Republican Party is taking them? Yes, I'm convinced of it.

But it has to be the right person winning the argument of the day, especially Iraq and national security, and it has to be done in a way that most Americans can relate to and accept. And it has to be done in a way where our Democratic principals are proudly upheld demonstrating that Democrats are not a bunch of drug-induced heathens who want to disband the military and put everyone on the government payroll. We have to show the world that we are the true Party of America. We are the true descendants of our Founding Fathers, the protectors and promoters of their ideals. We are the Party, not the Republicans, who still honor and revere the Constitution of the United States. We are the genuine defenders of freedom and liberty, not the Party of George W. Bush, the man who abdicated his duty to hunt down a real terrorist who perpetrated the worst attack on American soil in our nation’s history, and instead sent our military chasing windmills in Iraq at the expense of our soldiers’ lives and limbs, our nation's honor and influence, and a crippling deficit. It's time we show America and the world what America's Democratic Party is really all about. Now is the moment.

We have a crucially important choice to make in the coming year; we have to choose a winner. Personally, I’m proud of every Democratic candidate running, no exceptions. But not all of them can win in a general election. Any one of them should be able to, but that’s not the reality we have to reckon with. Reality usually isn’t very pretty or ideal, though it’s what God has given us to work with and learn from. Most Democrats would agree with what I’ve said so far. The harder part is agreeing on a candidate, because they’re all good, and different ones appeal to us for different reasons. We need to approach this with as much objectivity as we can muster up.
I’ll end this by saying that I didn’t start out giving Joe Biden much consideration, but when I really started weighing all the factors and considering the current political landscape and what each candidate brings to the table, Sen. Biden comes out on top. I believe he is the candidate who can accomplish what I stated above. I believe that Joe Biden can take America’s current reality and run with it, with a clear majority of Americans cheering him on.

[melody]

1. It's time to stop "redefining" our party while the other party turns up the dirty tricks campaign

This is how they win.

We have to cling to the strongest part of our common ship and steer it at the enemy.
The GOP is the enemy. The Democrats aren't perfect, but they're far less noxious
than the GOP.

[ginchinchili]

4. It's interesting that you have Al Gore as your avatar

Clinton/Gore won 2 elections as centrists. If you want to see what happens when the extremists lead a Party, just look where its gotten the Republicans. Either we define ourselves as the people's party, or the Republicans will. Which sounds more palatable to you?

[melody]

10. How on earth am I arguing for extremists?

I believe I'm speaking for solidarity around the center, not extremism. Which
should be obvious.

[ginchinchili]

19. I apologize--I misunderstood.

[Steve_in_California]

2. The "knee-jerk" liberals were looking forward to feast on election day.

It's not gonna happen. The Moderates are taking over now. You had your chances in 2000 and 2004 and you failed to get enough people to see things your war so as to avoid close races. It's time for the Moderates to take control so as to ensure a Democrat leads this nation back to its former greatness.

Joe Biden is getting my money and my vote.

[ginchinchili]

6. Biden has a civil rights record that would make any liberal proud

yet he's a pragmatist, which is exactly what we need right now. I want to get out of Iraq as soon as possible, but Biden is right. To just yank out all of our troops at once would be irresponsible. It wouldn't be the best thing for our military; it wouldn't be the best thing for our national security; it wouldn't be the best thing for Iraq; and it wouldn't be the best thing for stability in the region. We have to get our troops out of there, but we have to do so responsibly, and Joe Biden has such a plan.

[ShortnFiery]

7. "The Moderates are taking over now. "

Good luck with that! :rofl:

Truth is, you centrists have RULED the party for over a decade.

[ginchinchili]

9. And you're suggesting.....what?

Truth is, we regained the House and Senate thanks to moderates. Do you find that objectionable?

[ShortnFiery]

11. No, but I believe that a groundswell, a liberal wave is approaching shore. nt

[ginchinchili]

20. Where are the indications? Let's not hand the Repubs a gift.

[Moochy]

14. That'd be a great Band name

"The Moderates"

What would they sing?

[NoPasaran]

21. Middle of the road music, of course

Rock lite

[pingzing58]

3. There are better analysts at this but Dem states won't push a candidate over the goal line.

If we want to have a Dem president we will need to convince all of the dems in red states to vote. Iraq and national security are important but as members of anti-abortion Church's (Baptist, Roman Catholic, etc.) many, including dyed in the wool Democrats have voted for Republicans. My question is are the issues of the war in Iraq and National security enough to bring them to vote for a pro-choic candidate? Work has to be done by all of our Democrat candidates to address these issues by changing the argument from "biblical morality" to issues of social justice for all in the U.S. As far as Sen. Biden is concerned people here in the U.S. want young and attractive leaders (hollywood influence - it's part of our national psyche) but there is a lot to be said for a wise person with a history of experience and wise choices. May I suggest that he needs to strongly portray such an image. As for me, I have not made a decision on a candidate. I want to hear more from all of them.

[ginchinchili]

5. You make a good point

You're absolutely right. We can't allow Republicans to define for our country what morality is because within their definition is that it can't be a Democrat. Morality, of course, has nothing to do with any political party, but the Democrats have to return to the word its true meaning. The truth is that Democratic ideals go much further in embracing morality, liberty, and responsibility toward our fellow man than Republican ideology. We've just let the Republicans define things in a way that helps carry their agenda forward. Thus, my original statement that we have to redefine our Party because we've allow the Republicans to define it for much too long and it's hurt us.

[jillan]

8. We do need to look at all of the candidates running at a time when our country is so divided

and ask - which candidate has the best chance of gaining votes from Republican moderates?

I am not going to go down the list and state what I feel about each one.
But, that is a question we should all be asking ourselves.

To give an example, a Republican in my life saw that Hillary came out with her healthplan.
He just laughed, and said "Here we go again!" and never bothered to read it.
Hillary is the frontrunner. I could vote for Hillary, with some reservations, but I believe
she would be a great President. But then I ask, will she be able to win over moderate Republicans?

We need someone that can appeal to voters on both sides of the aisle.
And to paraphrase what Tom Harkin said at the Steak Fry this last weekend -
Joe Biden has proven that he can do just that.

[illinoisprogressive]

13. you are half right. The ones with the most crossover are Biden or Obama

[illinoisprogressive]

12. what about those with progressive moorings who won't accept the clintons?

[jillan]

15. If she does win the nomination

We all will accept her.

Because no matter what anyone thinks of her, she is still better than Rudy-tootie.

[tkmorris]

17. Yes she is, but

You are wrong in thinking everyone will accept her. Wishing and hoping won't make that true.

[Capn Sunshine]

16. well ,welcome to the party

Nice to see the Biden campaign has a presence online at long last. DU is NOT your average on the ground voter so don't waste a lot of resources here, because unless you create at least 10 sockpuppets each, you'll get drowned out by the "other" campaign.

[ginchinchili]

18. You gotta stand your ground somewhere

Our country is at stake here. It will take decades to repair the harm that Bush has caused to this nation. We can't afford another 4 or more years of a Republican president. And thank you for your welcome.