WHY are Democratic candidates letting themselves be shafted by the driver's license issue?

[derby378]

There are more important things to discuss. Pulling our troops out of Iraq, for one. Single-payer universal health care for all Americas, for another. And let's not forget funding for basic medical research, including stem-cell reasearch. And then there's that pesky matter about the polar ice vanishing.

Why can't candidates like Clinton and Edwards shake off this driver's license nonsense like fleas off a dog and get busy with debating the real issues at hand?

[LibDemAlways]

1. If the media thinks driver's licenses for "illegals" is a

winning issue for the repukes, they'll never let it go. Yesterday I heard some talking heads on CNN all solemnly agreeing that the issue is a loser for the Dems, thus you can expect to hear a lot more about it.

[rodeodance]

3. yes, the Repugs think this is winning issue----so the media and Lou Dobbs will not let

it go.

[ecstatic]

2. They should simply answer No. I don't get why that's so hard

The people who would support DL for the undocumented do not vote (or can't vote).

[harun]

9. Agreed, just answer no to it. (n/t)

[durrrty libby]

10. "The people who would support DL for the undocumented do not vote (or can't vote)."

That is not true.

I lived in Miami for several years and almost everyone I knew had been hit by

an unlicensed, uninsured non-citizen, including me.

It is common sense to support driver licenses for everyone.

If they are sharing the insurance burden, they will be more responsible and
the cost of insurance will be held down. This issue is a no-brainer


I can't believe anyone is against this, especially so-called democrats.

[ecstatic]

12. You really think an undocumented worker would get insurance, license or not?

:shrug: The whole point is that they are living under the radar, right or wrong. How does an undocumented driver go about getting insurance, or even paying for it?

[durrrty libby]

13. Just because they are undocumented, doesn't mean they don't work

or raise families

In order to register a car and get a plate, one needs to show proof of insurance

There are at least 12 million undocumented people here. They are working and driving

There are at many states that already give licenses to these people.

You just didn't know about it.

[still_one]

4. They have several problems, the worst is that they can't answer a question directly

As you rightly point out there are other so many important issues, Iraq being one of them, and you don't really even get a straight answer from them

With the repuke candidates, except for ron paul, you have no doubt where they stand on Iraq, they want to stay there indefinitely.

On Iraq our candidates talk out of both sides of their mouth, with the exception of Kucinich

The Democrats had better stop trying to give an answer that they think makes everyone happy, and start talking CLEAR AND DIRECTLY

[Zenlitened]

5. I totally agree.

Speak from the heart... call 'em like ya see 'em... and watch the voters respond.

"The Democrats had better stop trying to give an answer that they think makes everyone happy, and start talking CLEAR AND DIRECTLY."

:dem:

[still_one]

6. I agree. I think that is one of the reasons we haven't faired so well

in the past 7 years. People don't know where the Democrats stand on major issues.

I think if they as you said speak from the heart, and call it like they see it, they will be surprised at the results

I am not sure who has been advising the Democrats, but you would have thought they learned their lessons at least from the last three elections

In 2006, the issue was Iraq, and I don't think expectations have been met

[EST]

7. I totally agree with you, however, I think it may be a bit more nuanced than that.

I don't want to condemn or broadbrush large swaths of the population, but it is a fact that soundbites and short slogans are used and overused because they work.
Most democratic positions are far more subtle or nuanced than that. A short "straight answer" just won't cut it, most of the time, no matter whose mouth it comes out of. The real truth means a candidate has to stand up there and explain that, while you may or may not support a certain measure or position, that position is supported by eight million of your constituency.

The opposing position is supported by seven million but you can't just give them the back of your hand--they're important too--so you have to have each side present some more on their lists of needs and then try to negotiate the package so both sides win.

Now try to put that into a single, quotable sentence, ginned up right on the spot and smacking of Abe Lincoln rhetoric, and hand it to a bunch of screaming, jumping-up-and-down people when they are all demanding, "I wanna answer right now, gawdammit!

Let's face it, in many ways it's a lot easier to be a republican, if you can stomach it.

[still_one]

14. Yes it is easier to be a republican if you don't think /nt

[derby378]

8. Excellent observation!

I think they should all resign themselves to the fact that sometimes "I don't know" is a perfectly acceptable answer. The Repukes will stew over it, of course, in whihc case our candidates could just as easily use "No comment; next question, please" and get the same effect. Anything that puts the Repukes on unsteady footing is just fine with me.

[still_one]

15. and in addition, what Bill Clinton should have said, when asked about his sex life

It is none of your business

[harun]

11. On Iraq, their answer should be "I do not support a long term

occupation of Iraq". You won't hear them say it though. Richardson and Kucinich will say that, actually even more, they will say they are getting out immediately but the rest should take a stand on that.

[conservdem]

16. Biden seems to be giving straight answers.