Democrats Planning Retreat

As part of their effort to combat the drubbing they took in the 2004 elections, House Democrats are heading to a planning retreat where they hope to develop and agenda and platform that talks about national security, faith, Social Security and values.

From the Roll Call article

"House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer who will chair the panel on “red districts,” said: “Democrats must put forth a strong vision on national security and reassure Americans that we share their values of faith, family and responsibility."

Here's the problem with that agenda. It assumes that they can find a way to distinguish themselves in voters minds. They will need new ideas-- not mimicry of Republican ideas to win--oh and a good candidate at the top of the ticket would help.

So let's take a look at Democratic ideas as currently reported.

Social Security--on this issue, the Dems are the anti-Bush. Right now they have no plan of their own to combat the impending demise of hte program. No matter what timeline you subscribe to as the end date of Social Security--the end is coming and no one can deny it. The Dems need a message on this other than the one that cost John Kerry the election--i.e. we don't like Bush's plan is not going to be enough to win.

Faith--no one doubts that many Democrats are men and women of faith. I think Joe Lieberman is probably one of hte most devout men in Congress. Likewise, I am sure I can find many other representatives who are equally forthright about their religion. The problem of faith for the Democrats is not that they don't have it, but that they don't as a party embrace the fact that other people have it and it means something to them. This country,particularly the media elite who are identified, rightly or wrongly, with the Democrats have gone out of their way to ensure that there is a complete separation of public life and religious life. Most Americans cannot stomach that--not withstanding the fact that it runs counter to our history. If the Democrats want any traction on this area, they are going to have to stop saying "religion in public life is bad" and embrace teh fact that you can have religion in public life without violating the First Amendment.

Family--When the Democrats talk about family, the issue of abortion inevitably comes up. But that is not what this issue is about--nor is it necessarily about gay marriage although that is part of it. Rather, I think for most Americans the issue of family has more to do with getting the government out of the business of telling Americans how to raise, educate, and care for our children. If the family unit is a valuable as government declares it to be, why can't I determine, for me and my family how best to raise our kids. There are hundreds of examples I can find that can demonstrate how govnernment intrudes in our lives unnecessarily and many of those intrusions have been teh result of Democrats thinking they know better than I how to raise my kids. Which leads me to

Responsibility--For a long time, people have viewed the Democrats as the party who has beleived that government should take care of everyone. I don't really think this is a fair characterization of Democrats as a whole, but it is an image they have been saddled with and if they are going to win, they will need to shake this yoke (to mix metaphors--sorry). I am not sure what the Democrats can do in this arena to make themselves different from Republicans. If they recognize that Americans need to take more responsiblity for their lives, they will be countering their beliefs on other matters, like Social Security reform, Medicare reform, tort reform, etc. They cannot have a platform based on individual responsiblity without acceeding to these other demands that are necessary to increase personal responsbility.

So where can the Democrats distinguish themselves. Were I a Democratic stragegist, I start with the areas where there are clear differences of outlook and just start working there. If you have ideas for better national security or a better Social Security reform, put them out there. Give the public a choice between options not just a choice between Bush's plan and not Bush's plan. Stop treating voters like idiots. The American people know how to weigh options and choose the best for themselved and more importantly the country.

Democrats need to make long term changes to their strategy and utilize better tactics to win. Good luck.