What every candidate needs to do at every appearance

[Lydia Leftcoast]

I constantly see references to the future Dem president having to deal with a Republican Congress, as if this is inevitable.

It's not inevitable.

The problem is that most voters are lazy and uninformed when it comes to voting for Congressional representation. If the incumbent doesn't do something offensive or meet up with an unusually appealing opponent, the average voter will just vote for the status quo.

In 2000, I was volunteering for the campaign of a Dem candidate for Senate, and people typically said, "Oh, Smith (the Republican incumbent) is doing okay. I don't see any reason to vote him out." When I brought up the question of the political balance of the Senate, it was almost always a revelation to them. "Oh, I never thought of it that way."

If the next Dem is not to be hobbled by a House and Senate full of Republicans resentful of the one who dethroned the Boy King, each and every candidate from now on MUST end his speech with a plea to elect a Dem Congress. The media will not make this connection for the voters, so the candidates need to do it.

Every personal and media appearance should contain a line like, "If you are against Bush's policies, you need to give the next president a Democratic House and Senate." Every single one.

The Republicans have proved that constant repetition of a simple concept from a variety of sources WORKS.

All of you who are close to a campaign need to tell your candidates about this.

[bloom]

1. I was thinking the same thing

I'm surprised the candidates haven't been doing this.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. I've heard Kucinich mention it, but they all should be

They should know that ANY Dem who gets in will otherwise be facing the same kind of sore loser Congress that Clinton faced, only worse. I bet even Lieberman would be sabotaged at every turn.

If their desire to see humane principles prevail is greater than their personal ambition, this should be something that all of them can get behind.

[texasmom]

3. You are so right.

First, not enough people--even in this forum--understand what is at stake if we don't get more Dems in Congress. If we lose seats--a very real possibility--it's going to get really ugly. We've just been hanging on by a thread for the past two years.

Second, by making the statement you propose they make, it also creates a strong visual of a Democrat really winning against Bush and becoming president. (which I think a lot of people doubt is a possibility) It's not the "air of inevitability," but it's right next to it. When that image is repeated and repeated, people believe it. They not only will see the Democrat becoming president, but they will recognize the importance of the Democratic congress.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. Good point!

Create the image of a Dem winning!

[texasmom]

9. People want to vote for a winner,

so the message is, "We're gonna win; give us the congress we can work with."

[girl gone mad]

4. I've heard Clark say..

something, but not while on stage.

While he was working the room after a speech/town hall meeting, someone asked him how he would be able to work with Republicans in congress and his reply was that he would work hard to get congress back in Democratic control.

That's the kind of answer I'm looking for, not the "knowing how to compromise and make deals" answer that Kerry gave at the debate.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. But they all need to say it in front of the voters

constantly and starting NOW.

[no name no slogan]

7. Right on Lydia

2004 isn't just about the president-- it's about the House, Senate, state governorships and state houses too!

We can't accomplish anything if we have a Dem president and Repub congress. Look forward to at least two more years of Clinton stagnation if that occurs.

We HAVE to make gains in the House and Senate, not just win the presidency.

[trogdor]

8. Mention the Dem. candidates by name in stump speeches.

Invite them to campaign events. It's called SYNERGY.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Another excellent idea!

The local candidates might not want to appear with Presidential Candidate A if they've already endorsed B, but if candidates A through G mention the locals during their campaign stops, they'll build up good will, so that the locals will feel all warm and fuzzy toward whoever gets the nomination.

Even if the actual Dem candidates have not yet been chosen (say they will be chosen in the primary that the pres. candidate is running in), Candidate A can say, "And right now, we have two fine Democrats, Jane Doe and Joe Blow, running for the Democratic nomination for Congress. I don't know which one will win, but I know one thing: either one support the new Democratic president's program and do a better job of representing your interests than Fred Fundy-Fatcat currently is."

If, heaven forbid, Fred Fundy-Fatcat is running unopposed, Candidate A can issue a call for challengers with the cry, "Let no Republican run unopposed!"

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. This needs to be seen by people close to the campaigns

:-)

[democratreformed]

12. I agree

Democrats all the way!

[DemBones DemBones]

13. Excellent point, Lydia. I haven't heard anyone but DK raise

this issue -- maybe those who support other candidates can tell us about othere candidates bringing it up, too?

If candidates are not telling their supporters to vote for Dems for House and Senate, let's ask them to do so, starting now and going all through the campaign.

Dennis Kucinich tells people that when FDR was elected in 1932, the people also gave him a new, Democratic Congress to help him fix the country's problems.

Seventy-two years later, Social Security is endangered if the GOP remains in power. Medicare is endangered. Veterans' benefits are endangered. All of those are programs that workers support with our taxes to help care for ourselves and our families as needed.

Unemployment benefits are running out -- if I recall correctly, two million Americans will lose their benefits next month. How many do you think have found jobs? And how many of those that have found jobs are making about the same amount of money and getting the benefits they did in their previous job?

We need change and we need it this year. Seeking bipartisan support and working with Republicans are important but a Democratic majority in Congress is a better way to get things done.

Contact your candidate about getting Dems elected!

[DemBones DemBones]

14. Kicking this up so it sees the light of day! Pass the word, folks,

make sure your candidate hears about this.

Will, please tell Dennis! :7

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. Thanks, DBDB!

I'm thinking of writing this up as a front page essay, once I'm out from under my current mountain of translation work.l

[no name no slogan]

16. :kick:

:kick: