Democrats are angry and motivated in 2004. Our values -- multilateralism, environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, civil liberty, and open government -- have been frontally assaulted for the past three years. We're sick of it, and like Dr. Dean says, we want our country back.
But Democrats, like Republicans, are only 40% of the country. To win in November, our nominee will have to appeal to the middle 20% -- the Independents. And the arguments that Independents find persuasive aren't the same ones that work for a partisan.
Here are three themes that I think will be effective on Independents come November:
- Restore balance between the parties. Right now, the GOP controls the White House, nearly the entire judiciary, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and a majority of the governorships. Independents are allergic to one-party rule. The Democrats should emphasize that a Democratic President is necessary to counter the excesses of the Republicans in Congress. This strategy (in reverse) was part of Reagan's message in 1980.
- Bush is all image and no substance, all plastic turkey and "Mission Accomplished", a puppet to Karl Rove and Dick Cheney, a blind man in a room full of deaf people. Hammer this unflattering portrait of Bush over and over, because it rings completely true. Independents are more likely to be swayed by issues of personality and perceived competence than of ideology and policy.
- It's still the economy, stupid. The recovery is still jobless, despite our hard-earned surplus being squandered and turned into a sea of debt. Bring out the Ross Perot style charts, and we'll win the Ross Perot style voters.