Reshaping the Party's Image
When I launched Carolina Demline in October of 2005, I intended to use this blog as a way to positively influence Democratic politics. I created this blog because I felt there was a void in dialogue representing the mainstream-moderate Democrats, whom I happen to share many beliefs. It has been my goal to broaden the scope of debate within the Democratic Party by focusing on government reform and new ideas.
In some of my postings, I have singled out Democratic leaders who subscribe to beliefs that are to the left of my personal preference. At times, these postings have been very personal in nature and have led some to question my stripes as a Democrat.
Last evening, a group of "Democratic Minds" gathered at Woody's to discuss basketball, politics, and life. After a bit of verbal back-and-forth, in which the blog moderator was accused of using Republican rhetoric in describing liberals, a concensus began to arise. This discussion proved beneficial as many key components of the reform the Democratic Party debate were concluded.
It has always amused me to be involved with this sort of discussion. No matter what ideological spectrum one falls under, there is something that pulls likeminded people together.
The Democratic Minds were succuessful in deciding the following ways to reshape the party's image:
1. Our national party must have a better coordinated strategy to deal with the issues of the day. Instead of having Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Teddy Kennedy, Chuck Schumer and the like speak on every talk show, the national party should push for moderate Democrats to represent the party to the American people. Each party puts the extreme ideologues in front of the American people. We feel if Democrats used their moderates, a block of voters thirsting for a party would accpet our pro-worker, pro-environment, and pro-family agenda.
2. We must expand our party's base of support beyond traditional interest groups. Read #1 on how to do that!
3. Hillary, or any other Northeastern Democrat can not be our party's nominee. Look to the South or Midwest. Hmmm...Evan Bayh, Mark Warner, and John Edwards are wonderful choices for our party's nominee. Our party needs to develop a Southern/Midwest strategy. It has worked in the past on populist themes, it can work again!
You may not agree with our conclusions. If not, we understand. We our Democrats and allow divergence of thought. Hope to hear from y'all on your ideas.
posted by BlueDog Democrat at 4:08 PM
3 Comments:
In other words, it's business as usual for the Democratic Party: A Party Divided.
One of the problems with Democrats is this habit of nominating couples for their Presidential candidates. First, there was Bill & Hillary Clinton. Most recently there was John & Theresa Kerry. With Bill, the the Democrats were fortunate to have someone with enough popularity and stage presence to compensate for an outspoken spouse who, quite frankly, can be lacking in statemanship, can genuinely insult people with statements that lack class (e.g. comment about "staying home and baking cookies"), and has a knack for drawing lightening. By contrast, John Kerry managed to get upstaged by an independent and outspoken Theresa, and it cost him votes.
Voter's do NOT want a co-presidency. The spouse's proper role, regardless of gender, is that of support staff and not one who steals the candidate's lime light. Say what you will about Presidents Bush 41 & Bush 43, their First Ladies are held in high regard.
I do not see why you would say business as usual. If you read the third part of the post, we do not believe Hillary Clinton should be the party's nominee.
I agree with you, co-presidents are not something the American people hold in high regard, but we are not advocating such a position.
All we want is to reshape the party's image to expand our electoral coalition.
I couldn't agree with you more Bluedog... that's why, as a bleedingheart liberal, I signed on very early to Sen Bayh's bandwagon.
Just look at the Sen Bayh... a VERY popular Red State Governor... followed that up by being a VERY popular Red State Senator who sits on the Intelligence and Armed Forces committees.
In a state that has voted for a Republican every Presidential election except 2 since 1932, this Democrat has consistently demolished Republican opponents, once for Indiana Secretary of State (1986), Twice for Governor of Indiana (1988 and 1992) and twice for Senator (1998 and 2004). As a testament to his popularity, Sen Bayh won in 2004 by a higher margin than President Bush.
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