YubaNet: Howard Dean: The Future Of The Democratic Party

[mandyky]

By: Howard Dean
Published: Dec 6, 2004

Since Election Day, there has been a lot of predictable moaning and groaning about the future of the Democratic Party. Particularly predictable are the suggestions that we need to be more like Republicans in order to win. Democrats need to learn by our previous mistakes - we have tried being “Republican-lite” and it does not work. It is a mistake to run away from the things we believe and I think we can win in the so-called Republican states by being real Democrats.

We have to realize that there are no red states and no blue states, just American states. I believe the country is still more in sync with Democratic values than Republican values. Our task is to remind ourselves and the American people of the hallmark issues that distinguish Democrats from Republicans.

For example, Democrats historically tackle economic issues with bold, common-sense policies. Our last Democratic president created 22 million new jobs in this country. In the last four years, George W. Bush oversaw the loss of over 1.5 million. Democrats balance budgets, Republicans do not. Democrats consistently try to pass legislation that would provide some kind of affordable health care, Republicans do not. Democrats believe we ought to raise the minimum wage to help the average worker keep up with the cost of living, Republicans do not. Democrats believe corporations have too much power over our daily lives; Republicans do not - and to prove it, they have given away billions of dollars of our tax money to the biggest corporations in the world over the last four years.

On each of these issues, the majority of the American people are with Democrats not Republicans. Democrats have the right beliefs to win; we just execute a poor public relations plan. And, despite the enormous improvement in our ground game, the Republicans executed a more effective strategy. Republicans are far more successful because they work in a more unified, disciplined way with local supporters, especially with their base. They also avoid the Democrats chronic pitfall of listening to pundits from inside the Beltway.

more at http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_15941.shtml

[Capn Sunshine]

1. Interesting; this was front page on several websites today

I wonder if his speech tomortow will expand on this notion.

[mandyky]

2. Yeah, I saw it at SmirkingChimp

I think this kinda thing will be exactly what Dean says tomorrow. I also think he will say he has decided not to run for DNC chair. It is obvious the party machinery will not allow any reform, so ...

We'll know for sure tomorrow at noon, I guess.

[Rose Siding]

3. Only then can we save the nation from "the twin Republican perils"

Democrats can win by simply being Democrats. Reinventing ourselves as Republicans is the death knell of our party. We need to get back to basics and start listening to people from outside Washington. Only then can we save the greatest nation on the face of the earth from the twin Republican perils of enormous deficits and constant misadventures abroad.

If we have a future at all, it's with this man.

[mandyky]

4. I agree that we need Dean

I just think the party machinery (folks like Torecelli) will sandbag him again.

If the party does this, I plan on changing my voter registration to Independent. I'll still vote for Dems over GOPs, but I'm really feeling disillusioned right now, and if they go DLC that will be it for me.

[janx]

5. Beyond a doubt!

And no matter what that guy decides to do, he's going to make a difference. He already has.

That is very encouraging. He and we are in it for the long haul, as they say. ;-)