David Plouffe writes a few key points for Democrats to consider if they do not want a bloodbath in November.
More after the jump...
Take a time to read Plouffe's Wapo piece
http://www.washingtonpost.com/... there are some general guidelines that I think the Democratic leadership would be wise to follow this year. These are political guidelines by the way, not really policy ones...Electing Democrats is what he does.
1) Pass healthcare. Quickly.
I couldn't agree more with the part about how the GOP will use it, pass or not.
"I know that the short- term politics are bad. It's a good plan that's become a demonized caricature. But politically speaking, if we do not pass it, the GOP will continue attacking the plan as if we did anyway, and voters will have no ability to measure its upside. If we do pass it, dozens of protections and benefits take effect this year."
"We own the bill and the health-care votes. We need to get some of the upside(P.S.: Health care is a jobs creator.)
2) Jobs, jobs , jobs.
Nothing the administration or Democrats can do will have any effect if unemployment is still awful this year and if it looks like they aren't focused enough on it. That's why they need to pass healthcare quickly and focus on a game plan to diffuse the sense that they are out of touch with the pain and anger of the majority of Americans.
"We need to make our case on the economy and jobs -- and yes, we can remind voters where Republican policies led us -- and if we do, without apology and with force, it will have impact."
3) Rebrand the stimulus.
It's amazing to me how many people have forgotten how close everything came to crashing down in early 09. It was a free fall. A new president, fairly young, with no executive experience to speak of, calmly but surely managed to bring back some sort of stability and reassurance to the global economy. For 2 months, he was the one, from his podium, who reassured the american people that he was trying the best he could.
To be honest, I had no idea whether he could pull it off. We're not out of the woods yet.
So he passed the stimulus. General consensus here is, it was too small for genuine economic growth. Fair enough. But the little that was passed, starved off a plunge to a Great Depression.
Democrats better not let the voters forget who helped and who didn't.
"The recovery act has been stigmatized. We need to paint the real picture, in human terms, of what it meant in 2010. In future elections, it will be clear to all that instead of the Great Depression, the Democrats broke the back of the recession with not a single Republican vote in the House. In the long run, this will haunt Republicans, especially since they made the mess.
4) STFU about the deficit.
"The GOP took us from a $236 billion surplus when President Bush took office to a $1.3 trillion deficit, with unpaid-for tax cuts for the wealthy, two wars and the Medicare prescription drug program. Republicans' fiscal irresponsibility has never been matched in our country's history."
'Nough said.
5) Ethics reform.
Well, am not too sure about this one. There are corrupt officials in both parties , am afraid. I guess this would be a case of the lesser evil.
"we have to make sure the freshman and sophomore members of the House who won in part on transparency and reform issues can show they are delivering. The Republicans will suggest they have changed their spots, but the GOP cannot hold a candle to us on reform issues."
6) Do not take your constituents for granted.
I think this was a slight dig toward Martha Coakley. As I said before, even if you are a supporter of the president, there is no overcoming a lousy candidate and terrible campaign.
"Democratic candidates must do everything well. Each one must make sure that the first- time voters from 2008 living in your state or district -- Build a relationship with those voters, organize them and educate them. On Nov. 3, many races are sure to be decided by just a few thousand if not a few hundred votes. These voters can make the difference."
7) Do not give up
Hand wringing is inefficient and counterproductive. Work for it.
"..let's prove that we have more than just the brains to govern -- that we have the guts to govern. Let's fight like hell, not because we want to preserve our status, but because we sincerely believe too many everyday Americans will continue to lose if Republicans and special interests win."
Why isn't Plouffe in the admnistration again??
Let's get to work people!!!