The New Democratic Network, a group that bills itself as “a national network of citizens using modern means to advance a 21st-century progressive vision for America,” held its annual meeting last week at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel. The Examiner asked panelists and participants to describe what Democrats need to do to ensure victory in November and what pitfalls they need to avoid.
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner
“The American people have decided that the Bush administration is leading the country in a wrong direction. What Democrats need to do is lay out a strategy that includes how we protect our country, and protect it not only from the threat of global terrorism, but protect our country against national catastrophe, protect our country against environmental degradation ? . What we have seen, particularly from this Republican Congress, is that they continue to launch a hodge podge of issues that try to divide us. This country is ready for leadership that?s going to bring us together, and that?s going to take a prioritization on issues that we?ve not seen.”
Allan Lichtman, candidate for U.S. Senate, Maryland
“[The Democrats need to] have a positive inspirational vision. Democrats will not win simply because George Bush is unpopular. The Democrats have to stand on principal with backbone, courage and determination. … The only way any party has ever come back is by standing for something solid and positive, not by simply whacking at the other party … . Democrats win by working with the American people and the people of their state and district to restore our basic civil liberties of freedoms and privacy ? good conservative principles which this administration has trampled upon. And Democrats win by offering a positive message to make government work again for ordinary people. ?”
Joe Garcia, Hispanic Strategy Center Director for New Democratic Network
“I don?t think it?s one thing. I think Democrats have to stand up and fight. I think they have to lay out an agenda. But I also think they have to challenge the governing principle ? it?s broken and it doesn?t work. The job of the party in opposition is to challenge the theory of government of those in power. I think Democrats are doing that. I think this whole concept that Democrats have to be united is absurd. Our job is to challenge the theory of governing of this administration ? . Our job is to layout what our response to that is and our critique of that ? . Clearly we have certain deficiencies because what we stand for is the collective good, and the collective good, a lot of times, is much more amorphous to the general population than are the sort of simple concepts that this administration uses.”
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware
“[The Democrats need to] talk about Republican priorities, talk about the Republican record, talk about the Republican record on the war, and make it clear that, [the Democratic candidates are] committed to change in the direction of the country. They have really skewed priorities if they can point it out … . I think the Democratic party is going to do well. I think just pointing out that where we should be in the world and where we are is enough basis to make a case to vote Democrat this time and not for Republicans.”
NDN President Simon Rosenberg
“The most important thing we can do is to lay out how we?re going to make the country better. Americans have concluded that their country is going in wrong direction, and they?re looking to hear from us about what we can do to head the country in the right direction. I think if we can make the case that we?re going to create broad based prosperity and keep the country safe, I think we?ll have a very successful fall election. The two primary things that drive most elections are peace and prosperity. People want to be safe and they want to have a chance to get ahead, and I think that under Republicans, people don?t feel safer. I think we have to stay focused on offering real solutions to the challenges we face and not hollow or empty slogans. I don?t think we?re there yet, but we?re making a lot of progress.”
Jennifer Nix, Progressive entrepreneur and editor
“Well I think that the main thing is that we have to turn away from what our consultants have been telling us for the last 20, 30 years because, clearly, it doesn?t work. We have to get using these new tools with two-way communication and listen to these ideas coming from the bottom up. We are uniquely positioned for that as progressives. We?ve always been about the people and new ideas. We need to trust our natural instincts and listen to the people. [We would fail by] literally not trusting these new tools and what we?ve learned in the Dean campaign and the lessons learned from what did work in the Kerry campaign.”
Markos Moulitsas, The DailyKos
“[The Democrats have to] stop being afraid of their core convictions and not worry about the polls, not worry about Karl Rove spin. Worry about what they believe in, stand for it and let the chips fall where they fall.”
Do these people have the right idea for Democrats?
We asked Club for Growth?s director of Government Affairs Andy Roth to assess their analysis.
The tired, yawn-inducing platitudes mentioned by the various Democrats at the NDN conference confirm what we already know ? the left is devoid of any one unifying message that sells with the American people. Gov. Warner talks about how Democrats need to “lay out a strategy.” Joe Garcia wants to “lay out an agenda.” Allan Lichtmann calls for a “positive inspirational vision.”
But what exactly is this elusive strategy/agenda/vision? What do the Democrats actually believe in? What positive message do they plan to stand behind this fall?
Contrast that with the GOP. Ask any true Republican on the street what he or she believes in and they?ll tellyou straight away ? lower taxes, less spending, freer trade, school choice, and strong national defense, just to name a few.
The Democratic Party is wise to not advocate their old mantle of higher taxes and expanding government. Since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, the American public has thoroughly discarded the socialistic ideas of the last century. Unable to sell their true platform to the electorate, Democrats are continually being forced to obscure their own message and simply attack Republicans instead.
Because of this, the upcoming November elections will be a clear referendum on the Republican Party.
However, today?s Republican Party, normally the leaders of limited government and less spending, hasn?t been keeping up with the electorate?s wishes.
A lot of voters, and especially the growing conservative base, feel like their heads are being held under water by the GOP, drowning them with new, unwanted programs and egregious spending that is manifesting corruption. Voters will do almost anything to catch their breath again. This November, they will not necessarily be voting for Democrats; they will either stay home or vote against the GOP.
But that?s an important lesson for Democrats to seize upon. With the GOP?s right flank entirely exposed, the left can run an inspiring campaign of less spending and limited government. They can advocate an ownership society through Social Security personal accounts and health savings accounts. They can champion the ideals of economic freedom and pro-growth prosperity that have made this country so great for the past two centuries.
I know, I know, it?s wishful thinking. Unfortunately, time is running out and the Democratic Party is still hiding behind their opaque platform of unidentified principles. The left may get lucky in November, but that will only be because the Republican Party has abused its fiscal responsibilities.
