In business when you are "at war" with a competitor, you analyze the comparative strengths and weaknesses, understand why your product/service is better for the customer, then build a team and create a business plan and a marketing plan to generate customer desire and demand for your product/service.

I've been thinking this for a year now: we are very grassroots and not particularly organized, and we didn't have a real plan for creating "pull" in the market; for getting our message out there. We worked a lot on defining the message in these diaries and it was great work. We all got educated and we did a lot of work in the real world from our new knowledge.

But in order to counter a finely tuned marketing machine like the GOP, we will have to create a coherent organization speaking and publishing coordinated messages.

In other words, if 49% of America spoke with a single set of progressive, clear messages, the country would change.

This is, of course, the key to media coverage as well. Any defined market with a clear and documented response to news and entertainment will be seen as a ratings target, and will be addressed. If we had a cohesive plan and message we might find more media response to our needs.

I see this all very much in progress, as the election of Dean shows, and the recent power of the Blogsphere to open--and keep open--GannonGate. I think we are getting "there". I'd like it to have more impact but I'm excited that it's happening at all.

Looking at the internal conflicts between the traditional Democratic Party organization and supporters, the DLC people, the hard-left, and the reality-based progressive bloggers, I wonder if this organizing and planning can be done...and I wonder if we-all could then stay on message.

I remember in 1972 when McGovern won the nomination, the Humphrey people walked away. Much of the traditional Democratic Party just sat out the election cycle. I was involved in LA County and couldn't believe how many Democratic doors were shut in our faces when it came time to work the election. Labor, old school Democratic committee members, organizers; they just turned away. We can't afford traditional infighting now. We have to find that our common cause is more important than our specific agendas.

Any effort to bring all Democrats and progressives to a single table to create and execute a strong multi-year business and marketing plan is fraught with challenges. Reality is that all of us will have to compromise to some extent, then get behind the message and speak with one voice. This takes strength, insight, and courage.

We do indeed live in interesting times!

It is the extension of the Bush tax cuts.  This is what everything else hinges on.  The Bush tax cuts have eaten the Social Security surplus and threaten to eat everything else up if they are extended.  Making huge annual deficits as far as the eye can see makes for a huge accumulated debt and will seriously restrict choices in teh future, because we will no longer be able to borrow when we need to (such as for the SS bonds in the trust Fund).

The tax measures will be folded into the Budget Reconciliation Bill that will originate in the House AND WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO A FILIBUSTER IN THE SENATE.  

Right now there are several Repubs who are nervous about the growing debt load. they need to be shored us, as do the Dems.  The most important things are to:

Most important, urge Congress to honestly state the implications of tax and budget cuts, and require an offsetting tax increase ("loophole closing" is their euphemism) for every new or extended tax cut.  This is what is known as the "PAYGO" rule, for Pay-as-you-go, that was in effect when Clinton was President.  The Repubs only want the rule to apply to budget increases, so that tax cuts don't have to be offset and approved by a supermajority.  Also to include the War(s) in the budget.

On taxes, urge that they:

1. Do not extend the cuts on the top two brackets.  These expire in 2008, so there is no need to extend now.

2.  Do not extend the reduction in the tax rate for capital gains and dividends.  These also do not expire until 2008.

3. Do not extend repeal of the estate tax.  This does not kick in until 2009, and does not expire until 2010.  No need to deal with it now.

4.  Keep the 10% bracket and the child tax credit, as well as the earned income credit.

This fight is really the pivot on which everything will be decided, as it will determine how much money is available and who will pay.  It will also determine what kind of flexibility there will be in the future.