A very common way of phrasing the problem that democrats face is that they don't appear to have "backbone". What does that mean exactly, and is it true? These are things we must ask in order to know who we are and how we are perceived.
The questions that come to mind when I consider whether or not someone has "backbone", especially as related to politics, are
How do they carry themselves?
Are they strong? Firm? Solid?
What do they stand for?
Are they flexible?
Do they show solidarity and coherence?
Are their various facets (think vertebrae) differentiated, yet integrated?
The spinal metaphor carries over quite well to the political arena, and I'll flesh it out as best I can, below.
To make the first paragraph explicit, the spinal column is differentiated into vertebrae, yet integrated into a working whole. Progressive politics has been differentiated for some time, meaning that different issue groups could work independently within the Democratic tent. However, as Markos and Armstrong point out in their book, the issue groups became dissociated in the 60's and have been so ever since. It is imperative that these issue groups integrate into a coherent whole. The vertebrae of the spine work together, despite the fact that each has a different role and a different function.
Democrats are solid, unified, and coherent. Someone wrote a diary the other day, asking whether a 50-state strategy was really a good idea. Shouldn't we focus our money in "winnable" states, they asked? No. Democrats need to show solidarity. Our ideas and values work to improve the lives of Americans in the heartland as much as they do for Americans on the coasts. Our ideas are coherent; we don't ignore farmers or small-town folks when we come up with ideas for how to improve this country. Our ideas work for everyone, which gives them long-term viability that the republican counterparts simply do not have. The distribution of our financial resources should be similarly inclusive. Moreover, we need to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in rural America. We are one party with many facets, and we won't poison our own heart so that our extremities can live; it makes no sense. Solidarity, coherence, groundedness!
Democrats are flexible. We believe the same thing Wednesday as we did Monday... unless, on Tuesday, through reflection and discussion, we learn that we were misguided. We take care of what needs to be done, and are willing to change our ways of life, if need be, to do so. For example, progressives are much more willing to use efficient cars, to take public transit, or make some other lifestyle change in the face of global warming than conservatives are. Flexibility, as opposed to Republican rigidity, equips us to handle unexpected situations.
Unfortunately, we sometimes have a hard time articulating what it is that we stand for. Diary after diary has been written to try to clarify our position. When people suggest that, in the name of winning elections, we should dismiss our age-old dedication to the poor or to women or to blacks or gays, they are succumbing to fear. Democrats stand up for what is right and just. And regardless of what happens, that integrity must not leave us, or we will be left with nothing. Of course we need to be flexible (for example, in the face of totalitarianism, one wonders if they should take a second look at the "right to bear arms" debate), but our resolve should not be swayed by sound bites. If the populace doesn't agree with what we stand for, at least they'll know that we stand for something. We will bring them to our side not by cowering and shape-shifting but by clarifying and engaging.
Finally, Democrats should carry themselves like the strong adults they are. We are not weaker than Republicans. Listening to people does not make us weak. Choosing war only as a last resort does not make us weak. In fact, whereas Republicans use all sorts of backhanded trickery to win elections (whisper campaigns, push-polling, swift-boating, race-baiting), Democrats choose to fight it out in the ring. We are adults and they are children. So why do we carry ourselves as though sticks and stones will break our bones? For example, why do we worry and wring our hands when our congresswoman hits a police officer: are we embarrassed by mommy? Why do we choose the guy who is "electable" rather than the person who represents us? The reason is that we worry about what "mainstream America" will think. It seems to me that we sometimes carry ourselves with this weak and unconfident posture.
The reality is that Democrats care very deeply about the future of this country. We want things to work out well for our children and for the people of this great nation. And we don't always have faith that we'll be able to handle the next situation that comes our way. But our concern for the future should not cloud our vision. In the face of challenge, we must stand with pride, rather than cower with fear. And if the republicans beat us again, we will brush ourselves off and train that much harder for 2008. We will not say "well, standing and fighting didn't work, now let's try running in fear -- maybe that's the key to all this." No.
We refuse to sacrifice our values on the road to victory. We resolve to stand tall and fight, with the courage and solidity that comes from being grounded in goodness and in truth.