Howard Dean's speech to the DNC convention back in early 2003 was a life changer for me. I think it was one of the greatest political speeches I have heard. (By the way--go back and listen to it again, here is a link:
http://tinyurl.com/7lg7r
(click on the bottom video link "Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting General Session - Day 1" and go to 1:57 for Dean speach by scrolling forward)
If we had a candidate for 2008 who could sort of riff off of that speech, and relate it to the current political climate/scene, I think that could be the way to come up with a coherent means to crystallize our "new" party platform.
Follow me......
The main points of the speech, make a very logical "new" party platform. In other words, we can develop a message/platform of hope and new direction, rather than simply being AGAINST the anti middle class policies of this administration and the radical right.
1) WE CAN DO BETTER!
2) Why are we supporting the unilateral attack on Iraq. (We need a responsible foreign policy. Effective intelligence, utilized in a timely and effective way. i.e. August memo to president was ignored, misinformation, many unethical practices.)
3) Why fighting for patients bill of rights, but stand up for Health care for every single American man, woman and child in this country.. VT made Medicaid a midde class entitlement. What Harry Truman put in the platform in 1948. (Incorporate John Edwards "Two Americas" speech, ideals.) Basically, we need to stand up for the poor and middle class.
4) Why are we supporting "No Child Left Behind" when it leaves every child, teacher, school board, property tax payer, behind. Don't cut K-12 ed, higher ed. (It is an unfunded mandate.)
5) Give youth and non-voting adults a REASON to VOTE. We need to STAND for something. (Not simply oppose Bush/"conservative" philosophies, administration.)
6) The question is not how big the tax cuts ought to be, but rather, can we afford a tax cut all, given the biggest national deficit in U.S. history. Not one Republican president has balanced the budget since 1968. (You get what you pay for - witness the Katrina debacle. Govt. needs to be able to help in situations of national disaster...hurricane, earthqakes, terrorism.)
7) Guarantee rights to EVERY person under the law. Minorities, women, GLBT community. Basic RIGHTS of U.S. citizens.
8) Let's have a Diverse cabinet (government.) Look like the rest of America. i.e.Not a bunch of white males, more like Clinton's cabinet.
9) Quotas - It is race loaded word, designed to play on fear of losing jobs to certain ethnic groups.
10) Talk about race in the south (everywhere!) Republicans have used race to divide us, we need to talk about it in order to UNITE us. (Related to New Orleans hurricane travesty: wealthy escaped, poor suffered.)
11) Environmental policy that respects and preserves public lands, not drill in them. Long term goal of reducing dependence on foreign oil. (Explore alternative energy sources, provide funding for research.)
12) Political careers of Democrats should not about self, but about change. Let's change the party. It's not about winning the next election, it is about changing America. (Relate to campaign finance reform, ethics!!!)
Summary: Let's bring hope to America, let's bring jobs to America. Heal the divides, don't expoit them. (Let's make government ETHICAL again. We are not a country of red vs. blue. We are Americans.)
Note many of my thoughts follow Dean's main points in parentheses.