From The Archives -- Democratic Demagoguery
Note: In case you missed it, please see the separate Program Note I just posted, for an explanation of what to expect in this week's columns.
This was the first column I ever wrote, for the Huffington Post (I didn't start my own blog until a year later, in the summer of 2007). Democrats were the "out" party in both the House and Senate, and I thought it was worth the attempt to get them to focus a little better. In it, you can also see the germination of the idea which later became my weekly "Friday Talking Points" columns.
Originally published June 9, 2006
You've got to hand it to Republicans, they sure know how to demagogue. The Senate spent this week forcing votes on GOP lost causes. First up was the gay marriage amendment, then came repealing the estate tax. and waiting in the wings is a flag-burning amendment. Lefties everywhere have decried these as cheap political stunts designed to generate campaign fodder for the fall midterms. They're missing the point. Sure, these forced votes are cynical political hackery. The real question is: why can't Democrats manage to do the same?
Realistically, since Democrats don't control either house of Congress, they can't schedule floor votes on their issues (or even get them out of committee). But that doesn't mean they can't use the media to effectively start a national debate on their own "hot button" issues.
Instead of always playing defense to Republican bugaboos (gay illegal alien flag-burners angry about the death tax?), imagine if every Democrat interviewed on Sunday's talk shows spoke with the same voice: "This is what we stand for and this is how we're going to make your life better." Pick a talking-point issue each week that fires up the Democratic base, such as a Privacy Amendment to the Constitution (there's a great article at Daily Kos advocating just that), or making all college tuition fully tax deductible. Imagine a solid front of prominent Democrats all calling for action on the same issue every week. When asked by an interviewer, "so what about the flag burning amendment," answering: "Well, I think the Senate could spend its time more effectively by protecting veterans and other Americans from identity theft by passing our Data Privacy Act. I think that would make Americans safer and improve their lives more than stopping a non-existent rash of flag burning." Dismiss the GOP idea completely, and move on to what you want to talk about.
If the Democratic leadership were smart, they'd put together a war room to design weekly talking points for all party members. Minority Leaders Pelosi and Reid do a fairly good job of getting their message out, but then on Sunday Democrats are all over the map. Some discipline is sorely needed.
There's no shortage of good hot button issues to pick from that poll at 60%, 70% or even higher with the general public -- in both blue states and red. Target issues to directly and immediately benefit the entire American workforce (a huge demographic), for instance. Guarantee three or four weeks of paid vacation for all full time workers (Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich proposed this).
Even better, steal Republican thunder and turn it against them. Save Social Security by reducing the tax rate for all from 6.2% to 6.0%, while at the same time abolishing the cap on earnings. Campaign on the sound bite: "Our plan cuts payroll taxes both for businesses and for 94% of American workers. The remaining 6% would just be paying their fair share -- the same flat tax percentage everyone else pays. How can the Republicans be against a tax cut for 94% of Americans?"
Democrats need to take back Congress, but the only way they'll do it is to give people a good solid reason to vote for them, not just against the other guys. Something Americans would be for without caring which party thought it up. Something a devout churchgoer in the Deep South could support as enthusiastically as a tree-hugger in San Francisco. Republicans can scream and rant about being anti-this or anti-that until they're blue in the face, but the average swing voter is going to think: "Wow, that's a good idea. That would make my life easier. I'm voting for that."
But Democrats can't just phone in their campaign, the way they seem to be doing. They can't win just by being anti-Republicans. They can't win just because everyone has figured out Bush is an idiot. They can't win just by using Newt Gingrich's suggested campaign slogan: "Had enough?" It's downright pathetic that even Newt feels sorry enough for the Democrats to give them campaign strategy advice. And although the "culture of corruption" phrase is a good one, it's still not enough to win. Democrats need to complete the sentence: "When we take control of Congress, this is what we're going to do for all voters: ...."
Suggesting Democrats do some demagoguery of their own may sound cynical, but that's what wins elections. And you can't govern if you don't get elected. All your dreams and aspirations as a party don't mean squat if you're defeated at the polls. And we're getting really tired of watching the Democrats repeatedly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I would hate to see Will Roger's famous quote become the epitaph on the tombstone of the Democratic Party:
"I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
What's really amazing is that eight years later, Democrats STILL can't get on the same page -- and wonder why they can't win.
Osborne Ink -
Yeah, when re-reading the first couple of months of columns, I was surprised at how much remains undone -- and sometimes, even unaddressed or unspoken-of.
Sigh.
:-(
-CW
Personally, I think this country can't handle much more of Democrat's rule...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2740998/ISIS-release-video-showing-beheading-American-journalist-Steven-Sotloff.html
F U B A R
Michale
These terrists are getting out of control again. The U S & A should probably invade and destroy some random, uninvolved country. Maybe Venezuela? They have oil there. What is Obama waiting for?
Rant Paul's idiotic rabbit hole double-talk on this ISIS CRISIS has been revealing. He'll shamelessly say ANYTHING. He lives by the wRong Paul Principle: Tomorrow is a new day. I'm looking forward to watching the petulant princeling melt down in the GOP primaries.
Liberty!
Rant Paul's idiotic rabbit hole double-talk on this ISIS CRISIS has been revealing.
I am more concerned that ODumbo isn't worried about anything..
He calls the ISIS group "the J.V."...
Whatta marroon....
Tomorrow is a new day. I'm looking forward to watching the petulant princeling melt down in the GOP primaries.
Newsflash for ya sunshine...
Primaries are over....
Michale
I am more concerned that ODumbo isn't worried about anything..
He calls the ISIS group "the J.V."...
President Obama’s unnerving happy talk
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-president-obamas-unnerving-happy-talk/2014/09/02/21223770-32c5-11e4-8f02-03c644b2d7d0_story.html
Michale
Obama's decision to not DO SOMETHING about this ISIS CRISIS is typical of these disorganized Democrats. Why can't he get his shit together? What was he thinking when he insulted the evildoers? The "JV team"? Really? They are the leaders of a new sovereign nation and they deserve the respect that requires. He should be calling them "King George W's Mess" and bombing them like McCain says. Macthuselah picked Palin for VP, so how could he be wrong about anything?
Obama's decision to not DO SOMETHING about this ISIS CRISIS is typical of these disorganized Democrats.
Once again, I am amazed.
You actually said something coherent and logical... And I agree with!!
Captain Kirk speaks figuratively and emotionally but what he said is logical and I do, in fact, agree.
-Commander Spock, STAR TREK TOS, Whom Gods Destroy
:D
Michale
Well, well, well.. What have we here...
"Oh what have we here. The police have themselves an RV."
-Theo, DIE HARD
:D
Looks like Obama is sending MORE troops to Iraq.
"Johnny, let's stick our news microphone outside and listen to the roar of disapproval from the Left we have come to expect over troop deployments.."
{{chiirrrrrrrppp}} {{{chiirrrppp}}} {{chirrrrpppp}}
I honestly don't know what is more ridiculous..
The fact that Obama doesn't have a plan to deal with ISIS???
Or the fact that Obama is sending troops into harms way while not having a plan to deal with ISIS....
Great POTUS ya'all picked, eh??
Don't blame me.. I only voted for Obama the FIRST time... Back when I actually thought he had a competent bone in his body...
Michale
US Troops are heading to Ukraine..
The moral outrage from the Left???
Non-existent...
Amazing the power of that '-D' after Obama's name...
Michale
US Troops are heading to Ukraine..
The moral outrage from the Left???
Non-existent...
Big huge yawn there. What no link? Afraid we would read it and that would get in the way of the hysterical anti left spreading spreading it's BS?
For those wondering: Exercise Rapid Trident 14 was postponed from July and has been a series of exercises in the Ukraine with NATO troops dating back to 2006...
For those wondering: Exercise Rapid Trident 14 was postponed
4 out of 14 dentists surveyed thought it was a bad day for oral hygiene.
JL
Oh no! nypoet22 has been infected by JFC! It's a plague! run for the hills! The zombie Apocalypse is approaching...
Big huge yawn there. What no link? Afraid we would read it and that would get in the way of the hysterical anti left spreading spreading it's BS?
No one else provides links..
Why no notation from you then?? :D
But, if you ARE incapable of doing your own research....
U.S., allies to stage exercises in West Ukraine as battles rage in East
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/02/us-ukraine-crisis-exercises-idUSKBN0GX23Q20140902
For those wondering: Exercise Rapid Trident 14 was postponed from July and has been a series of exercises in the Ukraine with NATO troops dating back to 2006...
Which doesn't negate what I posted. US troops are in Ukraine..
And if you think it has nothing to do with the Russian invasion, I have some swampland down here in FL I want to sell you.. :D
So, we are in agreement..
US Troops are in Ukraine and the Hysterical Left is silent about it..
Common ground once again.. :D
4 out of 14 dentists surveyed thought it was a bad day for oral hygiene
Uh huh... huh...huuh...uh huh.... He said 'oral'... huh... uh..huh...
:D
Michale
Which doesn't negate what I posted. US troops are in Ukraine..
Leaving out any facts to be intentionally misleading your forte I agree...
And if you think it has nothing to do with the Russian invasion, I have some swampland down here in FL I want to sell you.. :D
Dead wrong. It's a annual exercise since 2006. We have sent troops every year since 2006.
Russia has affected the timing but not the base deployment.
Leaving out any facts to be intentionally misleading your forte I agree...
What relevant facts were left out??
Russia has affected the timing
Which is what I said.. If you think it has nothing to do with the Russian invasion, I have some swampland in FL..
Jeeze, Bashi... Yer rusty...
Michale
Next thing ya know, yer gonna deny that JL said "oral"... :D
Michale
What relevant facts were left out??
That we have sent troops every year since 2006 for NATO exercises? You left out only the relevant facts...
Jeeze, Bashi... Yer rusty...
Yawn...
That we have sent troops every year since 2006 for NATO exercises? You left out only the relevant facts...
Actually, the 2006 Sea Breeze exercise was cancelled due to protests..
If yer gonna nit pick, I can too... :D
Michale
If yer gonna nit pick, I can too... :D
After U.S. Marines were already in the country...
That is one weak nit pick...
That is one weak nit pick...
Of course, YOU would think so.. :D
Michale
"The zombie Apocalypse is approaching..."
The End is near.
"It's already here!"
-Bill Paxton, TWISTER
:D
Michale
Wait, what? Troops in Ukraine? Forgive me, I've been on vacation...
Is that "troops in any remote possibility of being in harm's way" or not? That would seem to be the most pertinent question.
-CW
BashiBazouk -
Hey, good to see you back here... you've been missed!
:-)
-CW