why Dems don't win, truthfully.

[ulysses]

Because the religious rightwing and the corporatists have organized for years to take over not only the GOP but the media as well, corrupting the very language we use to discuss ourselves and our politics. Because, in response to this perceived national shift to the right, many in the Democratic party leadership have taken views that have led us to no longer offer strong alternatives to the Republicans on substantial issues. Because, partly in response to that lack of alternatives, more and more people see no point in even voting, much less in being active in politics. Because the fewer people who are active and knowledgeable, the more shit the Republicans (now a wholly owned subsidiary of the unholy alliance mentioned in the first sentence) can pull off with nothing more than a collective shrug from the citizenry.

Because black people get intimidated on the way to the polls when they *do* go to vote. Because Americans like to see shit get blown up, particularly in other countries.

Because it is accepted that liberals are traitors, that gays are abominations, that faith is required for good citizenship while knowledge is a threat to the nation itself, that women have a place, and because a put-on, folksy hominess, scripted by accomplished and determined liars and backdropped by a setpiece "ranch", is considered a more important qualification for the presidency than are compentence or basic human decency.

We have a long way to go, friends.

[bullimiami]

1. nope. crooked elections. period.

[rzemanfl]

4. Folks in Florida get this. Are you here? n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

2. Yes, righting this foundering ship of state

will take decades of concerted effort--probably the same time (40 years more or less) it's taken the Neo-Cons to hijack said ship. It will be the next generation that completes the work. SG

[LiberalPartisan]

3. Probably correct...30 years in the desert lie ahead...n/t

[Armstead]

6. It's already been 30 years in the desert...

Fortunately the grounbd for change is a lot more fertile than it has been in a long time.

In the 80's and 90's, hardly anyone talked about this stuff, exccept a few cranky (but accurate) progressives. Not at least it's part of the mainstream dialogue.

So I don't think we should see it as starting from scratch. Not that it's going to be quick and easy though.

[izzie]

5. Interesting and may have some right things but I think it is more.

Not that I can put my finger on it but I see people over and over that talk like they are Dem. yet swear they love Bush and vote for him. They seem to vote no on every thing they believe in. Just what does that mean?

[Armstead]

8. One thing about Bush that resonates....same reason liberals like Dean

I hate to compare them, but I think the base of their appeal is the same. That is a hungr for real people who talk like real people.

Politicians these days tend to talk in dry buzzwords. Especially -- unfortunately -- Democrats are prone to this wonkish speak.

Bush's "us v. them" black and white simplicity is seen by some people as refreshing straight talk and clarity. And direct emotion, rather than modulating.

Sure a lot of Bush's image is phony. But it is succerssfully phony, in terms of seeming genuine.

[BOHICA06]

9. When the Democrats but up an apparently un-nuanced

candidate, they have a greater chance of winning .... Bill Clinton?

[Burning Water]

11. I think there is a

lot of truth in what you say.

We need politicians who will say where they will stand and what they plan o do in office. Then, if they win, they need to try to institute t heir policies.

Some compromise is inevitable in politics, of course. You might have to give something up to get something. But the push should always be toward getting your agenda, if not all at once, then a piece at the time.

But in the election phase, no waffling at all. Say what you mean. I think the politician that WILL NOT answer the questions on his ideas leaves the impression with the voters that, not that he's a waffler, but that he is trying to cover something up. Probably that his ideas and policies are the opposite of said voters.

And, of course, it would help to have honest elections.

[Donkeykick]

12. There is a simple reason...

for this; it is because they're republicans; they only act like they have open minds, so that they can influence independents into voting conservative.;)

[kentuck]

7. To compete requires a degree of deception and manipulation...

that Democrats are not ready to do or equipped to do. Repubs have no problem with lying and deception.

[Warpy]

10. Dems lose because they're ignoring their traditional base

of working class folks, people of color and women in favor of squabbling over yuppie swing voters.

If they keep on going this way, they deserve to lose.

[zanne]

13. I'm counting on the desperation of the electorate...

My hope is that Republicans will get so desperate for sane government, they'll use their only option and vote for democrats. Our motto should be "We're better than nothing."