Reply #90: Start talking about it [View All]

[Armstead]

Don,
I originally wrote a longer post, but it vanished into cyberspace. So I'll be briefer this time, as U am short on time.

I believe if the mainstream Democratic Party and nominee had more of the positions of Kucinich, Dean and Sharpton and the spirit of Wellstoine and the progressive House Democrats, that would be a great start.

By that, I mean acknowledging the mess we are in today, and how that relates to the concerns of average Americans. For one example, steal the flap over Janet Jackson's Boob from the conservative "family values" crowd and point to it as an example of how Media Consolidation has led to the problem. (It's not that it was raunchy -- it was a matter of corporate "synergy" and lack of judgement and responsibility by Viacom in allowing it to happen in the Super Bowl.)

One guy who I believe has a great message in thois regard is Rep. Bernie Sanders. Despite his reputation as a hard-core "leftie" he actually is a master pragmatic "realpolitik" without giving up principles. He gives progressive issues in a way that relates to "kitchen table" concerns of average Americans.

When you get a few minutes check out his website and explore it. In my opnion if that basic message were delivered by respected Democrats backed by the party, it would be a winning message that both appeals to the "base" and also resonate with many of the "swing moderates" in the election.

http://bernie.house.gov/