Issues for Dems to run on in 08

[mandyky]

Supporting troops

1)proper equipment
2)use of reserves, NG, and benefit structures during and after active duty status
3)if the "war on terror" needs to proceed for 10 years, how many divisions of active duty personell do we need in what job descriptions.

Defecits do matter
1)balanced budgets
2)pay as you go programs

Social programs
1) education funding
2) healthcare
3) teacher and nursing recruits - free educational benefits for 2 years service in disadvantaged areas

I am talking issues that will help us win. I know we have to totally revamp the EPA laws and such, but we need winning issues where we can call the GOp on their shortcomings.

[TomClash]

1. NO

More money in the pockets of working people.

[LSparkle]

2. Yes -- valuing WORK over WEALTH

John Edwards is already speaking out on this issue and I'm glad.

[Squeech]

4. Edwards' "Two Americas" formula works

and should be broadened.

Who sacrificed to bring freedom to Iraq? Was it Ken Lay? Was it Dick Cheney's cronies at Halliburton? No, it was you-- your sons, your daughters, your brothers and sisters, your husbands and wives! And they're still sacrificing-- missing their families, missing their homes, maybe even losing their homes. Or else they've come home, but in a wheelchair-- and now they have to pay another $230 to get their veterans' health care benefits! Is this fair? Is this just? Or is this yet another Republican ripoff?!?!?!

The speech practically writes itself, doesn't it?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. agree 100% We don't need to fall into their trap. This subject

was avoided because they cried "Class Warfare." We need to start thinking 2 steps ahead. They are the class warfare experts -- tax cuts for the rich, and the other things you mention.

[TomClash]

14. There already is a class war going on but

only one side is fighting.

[TomClash]

13. You bet!

[MAlibdem]

3. My pet list

1. Environment
2. Health care
3. Education
4. Terrorism - "Sure, we've been called too 'brainy' in the past, but to beat the sneaky terrorists, we need to be smarter than them, not just chase them wildly and blindly"
5. Balanced Budget
6. Embracing Globalization (a pipe-dream, i know) - by this I mean all aspects of globalization, including international environmental, labor, and regulatory agreements in addition to free trade.

[StClone]

5. Return to Feminism

The current subjugation of women through anti-abortion and other testosterone-driven activities. We need shift against Arnold, war and the poverty of single women.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. I think we need to reengineer. Think in broad strokes

big picture issues and themes.


1. We are for Peace and Understanding and restoring our reputation in the world.

2. We care about the poor, the homeless, the sick.

3. We care about our world. We are for clean water, land and air.

4. We believe in fairness and justice and that all people are equal.

I think all the issues you list above fall in these categories some way or another.

Democratic themes are very emotional. To get people to buy in - you have to say things that hit them in the heart.

[applegrove]

8. Excellence in school - stop streaming minorities

Transparency in markets

Corporations have lost their morals and attack consumers, workers & government (regulators) as they would a competitor. They need to be given some 'guidance'. Corporations work for human beings - not elites. And if their dependence on workers no longer keeps them honest citizens then something else needs to happen to redress the imbalance.

Democrats are for good information and science. They want their people to be informed, educated and capable of thinking for themselves. They want to institute a national radio that excels at informing and exciting kids and adults about all the new things & ideas out there.

Many others

[ZootSuitGringo]

9. I like your multi-prong approach

in which you cover some of the important issues like a full service party should.

The 2008 election will be about a number of things, most which the Republicans will define (they have the media and control over many of the current events via the WH). Although this means that Democrats, will again, be at a disavantage in determining the issues, I do believe that Democrats need a platform now, and need to talk their issues before they are talked to.

If Democrats employ singleness of purpose and tunnel vision, we could possibly have our issues heard. But it will take steady tenacity, unity, and less infighting.

Unlike Ted Kennedy coming out supporting Kerry in 2008. WTF was that about? Can't Kennedy rest for right now on the 2008 candidate, and strategize instead? It needs to be about the issues, before it can be about a candidate.

We know what the Republican issues will be and we need to be ready with our own message to counter theirs and to then highlight ours.

Need some new Dem Strategist. Are you interested by any chance? You seem to have some good ideas.

[demosincebirth]

10. Same message. I still think Kerry won the election.

[faithfulcitizen]

11. I think we need to talk about faith...

in terms of Repub party being hypocrites and what faith *really* means. O8)

[nickshepDEM]

12. Heres a few...

*Tax relief for the middle class, lower-middle class, lower class, and working poor.

*Universal healthcare for every single child in the United States.

*Take back our country from speical interest groups.

*Start acting like the party of civil liberties that we claim to be and layoff peoples second amendment rights.