James Carville's Rx For Democrats / TomPaine.com--Good Read!

[Gloria]

James Carville's Rx For Democrats
Steven Rosenfeld is a commentary editor and audio producer for TomPaine.com.

http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/8430


What does the recent episode of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas calling the Capitol police to round up Democratic committee members have in common with the Texas Legislature's redistricting fight, Florida's last presidential election, and Bill Clinton's impeachment?

"They used the power of the federal courts and law enforcement to settle political scores," said Democratic strategist James Carville, speaking of the most "insidious" possibility he sees in the emerging presidential campaign. "They used it in Texas with redistricting. They just used it in D.C. They used it in Florida.
"If you can't say the simple fact that they lied to get us in and have no idea how to get us out, then there's something wrong with America."

"They will use the court system and federal law enforcement to try to win this election. I went through a $70 million sham investigation. I know what they will do."

Carville's predictions, prescriptions and admonitions for Democrats came in a lunchtime speech at the American Trial Lawyers Association annual convention in San Francisco. Among other things, he listed what the Democrats should and should not do to criticize the war in Iraq, what he felt the big issue in '04 would be, and said how his party and its eventual nominee should campaign if they want to win.

On Iraq, Carville said Democrats "should not exaggerate the facts," but merely state and restate them. "They lied to get us in. They don't know how to get us out," he said. "How did they not know the country wasn't divided? How do you commit 150,000 troops with no plan to get out? All we have to do is remind people of that."

MORE, MUCH MORE

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Thanks for the link

Carville is just echoing the words of the great Harry S Truman, who said he never gave the GOP hell-he just told the truth on them and it FELT like hell.

[imhotep]

2. but

I thought Clinton said we should all "get over it?"

[seventhson]

7. F*ck Bill Clinton

he f&cked us with his philandering.

He left Gore out to dry and NOW he tells us to get over Bush's lies.

Sounds like Kerry (get over 2000, remember?)

This is the BFEE democratic second string and alumni team.

These are rethgug talking points.


NOW Hillary is the top contender. Riiiiiighttttt!

I WANT MY AL GORE!!!

[Eloriel]

3. Haven't read the rest of the article yet but

Carville is exactly right in what is quoted above. All you have to do is tell people the truth. Tell it again and again.

Bush is EXTRAORDINARILY weak on defense -- both internationally and at home. This will become self-evident to nearly everyone if they only get it pointed out to them a few times. It's a no-brainer, actually.

Eloriel

[whoYaCallinAlib]

4. Go James, go!

I love that man.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. The BIG picture:

Democrats need a big issue for the '04 campaign, Carville said, and it's not the economy or foreign policy. "The issues we now face as Americans are so huge, so great, demand so much attention, we have to look at it all," he said.

[dArKeR]

6. He's not an honest man if he doesn't bring up the bias in the GOP

controlled media.

Anyone with an ounce of brain matter knows this is fact.

[sandnsea]

8. Generational Promise

So many good things, thanks for the post. I like the Patriot-Correct Police, but think Patriot Police would be better. And the generational promise is really good too.

"And that lead to what Carville said was the big issue for Democrats in '04, what he called the Bush administration's reversal of "the generational promise of America -- each time we do what we can do to make the next generation better."

"That promise, today like no other time in our lifetime, is under attack," he said. "The idea that we are a society beyond our own self-interest is under attack. We are told America is best when people are interested in ourselves. We know America is better when we're based on a common interest.

"We have a president that is no longer interested in what happens to the next generation. We have a president that is no longer interested in what happens to the promise of America.

"I am telling you that there is so much at stake here. There is so much for us to fight for. There are so many people who don't want to give up the dream of generational promise."

[PassingFair]

9. Sounds like an RX for Dean!

Is there a doctor in the house!!!!!!

[grasswire]

11. genius

Now we need a meme that conveys the essence of what he says

"We've got to focus on how they are changing the very nature of what it is to be an American -- the generational promise."

[dajabr]

13. "This is a campaign to unite and empower people everywhere."

"It is a call to every American, regardless of party, to join together in common purpose and for the common good to save and restore all that it means to be an American.

Over a year ago I began to travel the country in the usual way one does when seeking the Presidency.

I believed that, by running for President, I could raise the issues of health care for every American and the need to focus on early childhood development. I wanted to bring those issues to the forefront of the national debate. And I wanted to balance the budget to bring financial stability and jobs back to America.

Most importantly, I have wanted my party to stand up for what we believe in again.

But something changed along the way as I listened to Americans around this country. On my first trip to Iowa I heard people speak of a profound fear and distrust of multi-national corporations. From New Hampshire to Texas I met Americans doubting the words of our leaders and our government in Washington. Every where I go people are asking fundamental questions: Who can we trust? Is the media reporting the truth? What is happening to our country?"

More: http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6396

[caledesi]

10. Love the "Ragin' Cagin" He tells the truth! n/t

[grasswire]

12. there are Bush Americans....

....and then there are ? Americans.

Dreamkeepers? Would that describe those who revere an honorable America -- an America of promise?

[Chicagonian]

14. Whomever the Dem nominee ultimately turns out to be-

I sure hope they have Carville on board.