archived: 13 - 19 Nov, 2005 Back Next
UPDATED: October 15, 2005
WARNER
GEARING UP FOR PRESIDENTIAL
BID
[Authored by Alan L. Roland*]
“I genuinely believe Warner is the Democrats' best shot at winning in 2008:” -- Former Lt. Governor Donald S. Beyer
If ever there was an opening for a courageous Democrat to pick up the splintered party banner and coalesce a fragmented Democratic party – it is now.
Bush is on the ropes, the Republicans are in disarray, Kerry is history, Hillary carries too much baggage and the Party desperately needs a fresh face who can win big, excite the base and carry people with him.
That fresh face is Virginia governor Mark Warner (D) who enjoys 70% popularity in a state that voted for Bush last election and just helped elect Timothy M. Kaine as his successor despite Bush visiting the state on the eve of the election to support Warner's opponent (The Bush Kiss of Death which many Republicans will attempt to turn their cheek from in next years mid term elections).
Michael Shear, Washington Post, picks up the drum beat (Warner Gets Boost In Run For President) as Warner heads for New Hampshire next week to lay the groundwork for a presidential bid in 2008.
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*Allen L. Roland served five years as a Navy fighter pilot and ten years as a stockbroker. He has earned a masters degree in psychology and now works as a therapist with an active private counseling practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Roland has a wonderful website, Allen L. Roland's Radio Weblog. He also publishes a newsletter that is TPJ recommended. You may subscribe here: Newsletter
The Washing Post article that Roland references may be found here: Warner Gets Boost In Run For President
NEW LOWS
Bush’s polling numbers are reaching new lows this week. TPJ will carry its analysis on Thursday this week. In the meantime, Ruy Teixeira at The Emerging Democratic Majority has authored an outstanding analysis.
Every Democrat should take the time to read Teixeira’s analysis:
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EDWARDS
Former Sen. John Edwards has some profound commentary for Democrats. In a recent appearance in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Edwards unequivocally stated the future for and purpose of the Democratic Party in the South:
[H]e thinks the key to Southern votes involves something that transcends policy positions. "These are the kinds of people that respond to strength and leadership," he says. "They want leaders who have the backbone to stand up for something. We're not Republicans. When we try to be some lighter version of what we are, which is what happens over and over, it's devastating to Democrats. Why would they choose us?" – The Nation
Edwards’ vision of a Democratic Party is equally applicable to the nation. Democrats everywhere are looking to support a Party that provides strong leadership that is committed to stand up to the core principles of the Party.
In the Senate, Edwards shocked progressive Democrats with his vocal pro-war stance. Today, Edwards joins a growing number of current and former Democratic leaders who openly admit voting to authorize war in Iraq was a mistake:
Edwards finally utters the words he'd assiduously avoided during the last campaign: "I voted for the resolution," he says. "It was a mistake." So far, so good. But he goes on, "The hard question is, What do you do now? Looking back, it's easy to say that it was wrong and based on false information. Anybody who doesn't admit that isn't honest, and that's the truth." So what now? "I myself feel conflicted about it," Edwards replies. "But we have to find ways--and I don't mean just yanking all the troops tomorrow--but we have to find ways to start bringing our troops home. Our presence there is clearly contributing to the problem." So does he agree with Senator Russ Feingold that Washington should set a withdrawal deadline? "No. Even if we're going to say that internally, that we're gonna have our troops out by X date, there's no reason to announce that to the world. I think that's probably a mistake." He doesn't agree, either, with Senator Clinton's call for more US troops to finish the job? "No sir!" Edwards says, sitting straight up in his chair. "Did she really say that?" -- The Nation
Edwards’ thoughts are hopeful signs for the Democratic Party.
“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT”
Reports are surfacing of a National Democratic Party agenda for 2006 that will be entitled:
''Together, We Can Do Better"
While public details of the agenda and its development are sketchy, these reports have surfaced:
The national party is crafting a broad agenda titled ''Together, We Can Do Better," a campaign that they hope will be their answer to the ''Contract With America" that helped Republicans seize control of Congress in 1994.
The new agenda, to be unveiled in January, is expected to emphasize energy independence, expanded access to healthcare and higher education, and retirement security, according to Democratic officials. The idea is to rebut Republican charges that Democrats define themselves only by opposing GOP policies. – Boston Globe
Democrat leaders are actively testing the theme:
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) used it as early as Sept. 29, during a press conference on Hurricane Katrina relief, according to a search of an online news database. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) first used it in a similar Katrina press event Sept. 15. . . .
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) used it in the Democratic radio address on Saturday. Reid plastered it across the backdrop of an event held last week.
The catchphrase is not new to political observers, who will remember that an earlier reincarnation, "America Can Do Better," was a slogan in the campaign of presidential aspirant Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), although his main theme was "A Stronger America."
"America Can Do Better," which lacks the word "Together," has also been in frequent rotation this fall. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) used it on "Fox News Sunday" on Oct. 16. Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-Conn.) incorporated it in her in Oct. 8 radio address, as did Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in the Oct. 1 radio address. – The Hill
Early reaction on the internet has been mixed. Activists offered these thoughts (some quite humorous)( Comments below come from these internet blogs: Carpetbagger and MyDD):
Scott: How about something like "Let's rebuild America's greatness"– that looks forward and also levels an accusation at the bozos-in-charge.
Stephan: How about "Let's Clean Up the Mess in Washington" (with little broom lapel pins)?
Jim B: "Together we can" was a Bush slogan in the Texas governor's race in 98. He used it in Spanish in Houston. "Juntos podemos."(Together we can) On purpose or accidently (sic), a typo in a Houston newspaper changed it to "Juntos pedemos" which means "together we fart."
jimBob suggests: “We tried it with Alfred E Neumann. Next!"
NeoLiberal: Of the ones [slogans] floated, I think that the variation "we will do better" (instead of the passive "can") is the catchiest.
One TPJ’s favorites come from Danielj:
"What the Hell Was That?" would be a great slogan. It focuses blame on those who deserve it. It can be used for many situations. It puts the Republicans in the past.
Can't you just see Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid saying things like[:]
"Iraq. What the hell was that?"
"The Bush economy. What the hell was that?"
"Misuse of intelligence to lead us into a quagmire? What the hell was that?"
It sort of like an updated "Where's the Beef?" Not only can we criticize their record with the phrase, but we can say it every time they issue an attack ad or may some bogus claim on TV or on the stump. The only response necessary would be "What the Hell Was That?"
Think about it.
TPJ readers are invited to join the commentary. Send your thoughts by using TPJ’s FEEDBACK.
Last Update: 03/23/2006