What should Dems do to win elections in 2006?

[cally]

Please answer with ideas and not tie it to any individual.

I think we need to unify our message. We need to promote security and offer bills to help vets and give protection to our troops. We need to get a unified message about abortion. We don't like it and here's the proven steps we promote to reduce abortions. We need to out hypocritical gay/lesbian Republicans. Attack Mehlham on this. Best of all, we need to win the SS debate. We can win this one big.

Secondarily, we need to become the party of government responsibility. Programs that work and are not based on ideology. We are the party of waiting for proof before acting and spending money (Iraq and SS) We are the party of science and rationality not ideology.

[LostInAnomie]

1. Populism

The stage will be set for it by then. Unapologetically call their wedge issues "Bullshit" and berate them for focusing on them when children are starving. Show the country the Repukes priorities are fucked, not ours.

[Itsthetruth]

2. Become An Opposition Party?

Become an opposition party and organize huge demonstrations to defend social security and to bring our troops home like the one shown in your photo.

[thefloyd]

5. The opposition stuff

will not work. If we oppose we need to propose

[BillZBubb]

11. Baloney!

When the Repugs killed the Clinton Health plan, they proposed NOTHING. The following year, that issue helped them gain control of Congress. Most of their message, including the Contract on America, was oppositional.

When they impeached Clinton, a big majority thought that was wrong. Yet it didn't cost the Repugs control of Congress. Are you saying that was propositional?

[thefloyd]

16. I will give you the Health Care plan

BUT the contract with America was not only opposition but also had Ideas. The whole impeachment thing was based on "Moral Highground". Everyone wants to feel moral and all those who do not base beliefs on issues are easily swayed. On top of that Clinton may have been impeached BUT remained president

[Left Brain]

3. Most important thing for me?

Right off the bat?
Ensure the integrity of the elections. First. Now.

[FreedomAngel82]

13. I agree

We have to get rid of the voting machines first and foremost. Then we have to call out the republicans on their fake crisis as with the SS. Do bills that show we do have morals and values as with Kerry's "Kids First" plan and use words that could be used against them like with this bill. If they go against it we could use it in the future. We have to have a strong and clear message. No more "flipflop" stuff. That's why I like Dean so much because he's got such a clear message to people who hear him speak. I also think we can win the SS battle if we stay strong on it and point out the facts and have people speak up more. No more letting the republicans bash and slander people. Hit back (as long as it's the truth).

[BR_Parkway]

4. Fix the voting machines, stop pandering to "everyone" show some

leadership. STOP trying to be a Representative of the Corporations - even Pug voters are getting tired of the corp tax breaks, subsidies, working harder/taking home less/it going even less far - that message will resonate loudly.

But we still have to fix the machines first. And get the conflict of interest partisan Sec of States and the big money donors out of the system.

If it takes $200,000,000 to convince the voters that you have the right message - you don't have the right message! Plain and simple.

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Hire a team of ex-felon programmers. At least, That's how the GOP does it.

Seriously- how do we win elections? Make sure people are voting on systems that actually count their votes, make sure people are actually able to vote in a reasonable amount of time, they are not kept from the polls, they are not "registered" by goons like Nathan Sproul who then rip up their registration forms...

Unfortunately, the entire machinery of "democracy" in this country has been hijacked. Combine that with a veritable army or brainwashed zombies zoned out on Right Wing AM Hate Radio, and the situation looks pretty damn bleak.

With regards to preventing abortion: Just like last year, The Dems in the Senate have re-introduced the Prevention First Act, which increases funding for contraception and as such, is an excellent way to get the message out that the way to reduce the numbers of abortions is to prevent pregnancy in the first place. Of course, the bill will go nowhere-- because the Christian right opposes all forms of contraception-- and even more telling, the corporate media hasn't touched it. Again.

[thefloyd]

7. Promoting security is my big issue.

I am sure there are people that will not like this idea but what the heck. Democrats must support the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act will not be permanent bottom line. So support it until the usefullness is gone.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. There are some

good things in the act but there are some things in there that scares the bejeezus in me. So maybe what we can do is promote the act in general and once we get a democrat President in they can work with the House on changing the scary and outrages stuff. We do need to point out how Bush is ignoring our boarders completely. Not long ago I was watching Scarborough's show (:shrug:) and he said how he supported Bush for President but he wasn't doing enough to secure our boarders. I think whoever is the elect in 2008 needs to really hammer security since 9/11 happened.

[thefloyd]

17. Oh yes I agree about the borders completely

It is a freaking sham we could not get them shut down. Gee I wonder why the old trust-fund baby does not want to do that????

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. .

[Walt Starr]

9. Nationalize the main issues os SS, Medicare, Healthcare, the Economy, etc.

Take a lesson from the enemy and use his tactics against him. Attack attack attack on a national level.

[BillZBubb]

12. Right on the money Walt!

Nationalize it and make it about issues people care about. Don't offer any compromises now. Wait until the election season to offer any specifics on the Democratic solutions to the big issues.

Meanwhile blast the hell out of the evil bastards!!!!!!!

[enough already]

23. Agreed on nationalization,

But do our handful of Senators up for reelection in "red" states have the guts to stay with us? Hope so.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

26. while demonizing the opposition

and basically stating they are enemies of democracy.

[bluedog]

10. Tell the people

the way it is!!!!!!! Republicans have NO problem Smearing the Democrats over every little item........Play their Game and Let those SOB'S have it with both barrels.....

Start in local elections....state elections and up to Federal issues........Looks them in the Eye and state directly....This is what the Republicans Party has Done to your Country..........show them charts..stats.facts...and the fires of Hell................

[katsy]

15. RIGHT!

For all intents and purposes, yours is the common sense path to communicating effectively with voters. It is how great Democratis leadership would be built.

But why haven't they been doing this all along... except for Dean?

Personally, I believe we have too many neodems (repub-lite, DLC or whatever you want to call them) in the party. Their hands are as dirty as neocons. They've abandoned populism for corporate facism.

If America is lucky... Dean will rally Americans and the next President will be a Democrat. If that happens, I hope his next job will be to develop progressive Democrats to challenge the neodems in Congress.

Weed out the neodems and the Democratic party can proudly speak to the people once more.

[thefloyd]

18. Oh yes you are right on about

this one. We need to play their little game of painting a whole party to look one way. The game is lame so we only need to play for a little while or until we get back to debating the issues

[bluedog]

19. Damn I hope

Dean takes the Bull by the Horns right off the bat....he's the one who is NOT afraid to tell it like it is.....he knows the talking points..he knows what the Grassroots people want......

keep these so called Democratic strategists off talking head shows..they don't have their ducks in a row.........and they come off as uninformed and ignorant.........

We can not have these people do the speaking for the party...........

[thefloyd]

21. I am new to the board so what is all the inside

info regarding these Strategists. I can think of 1 right now that is pretty good and it is Mcmahon or whatever.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. They might try standing for something rather than everything.

I ain't holding my breath for that miracle to occur, though.

[maxsolomon]

22. let bush be bush

and the populace will grow tired of his shit.

turn left. articulate. believe.

go after these fascist fake christians ON THEIR TURF - the bible. throw the new testament in their faces. call them hypocrites on the air, on FOXNEWS, on CNN, on MSGOP, on CSPAN.

pour money into Air America, buy up any available christian radio & tv stations & turn them into liberal hot talk. get ted turner back in the game. give michael moore bariatric surgery.



but here's what democrats WILL do: act like joe lieberman & kiss GOP ass.

[Itsthetruth]

24. OK: Propose Lowering The Retirement Age!

Ok. Oppose any cuts in social security and propose lowering the retirement age back down to 65. That's what it was before the 1983 social security "reform".

[Kosmos Mariner]

25. Secure Our Turf....

We need to target EVERY Pug in our safe blue areas. Clean up the mess, and take out the trash. The DNC needs to IMMEDIATELY evaluate an assess the state of the party. From local to federal. Develop a game plan and a message around a few core DEM VALUES, and find the talent to close the sale. The message, the people, and the image have to change now. Strengthen the party now locally, victory in 2008.

Oh yeah, and make "What's the matter with Kansas?" mandatory reading for every Dem elected official. :headbang:


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