Is Iraq the only issue for Democrats in 2006? That's the Republican talking point, repeated endlessly.
Let's help change that. Daily Kos has such a wide readership that if even a portion of us accept a broad, coherent vision before the midterm elections, we can CHANGE the conventional wisdom and PERSUADE voters to dump the Republican congress.
Let me propose that Iraq is a symptom, not the disease. The problem with focusing only on Iraq is simple - in the key states, voters are more likely to know someone serving in Iraq. It is too painful for them to believe that the sacrifices made by our soldiers are worthless.
The DISEASE is the inabiity of Republicans to govern - their desire to govern so badly that it will ultimately destroy the government.
Thus, when talking to family, neighbors and friends, Iraq may be too painful and confusing, so consider mentioning other symptoms of the disease first.
For example,
"Remember that lady who was brain dead and how the Republicans stepped into that terrible situation. Who do you want making your end-of-life decisions, your family or the Republicans?"
"The strange thing is that Bush flew to DC from Texas on a Sunday to sign a law about that brain dead lady, but it took him a few days to notice the poor people in New Orleans on the rooftops and in the Superdome."
"I tell you, these guys are just malicious. They want to get into everybody's private business, but when it comes to fulfilling a governmental role like protecting our country and helping out in an emergency, it's almost like they are trying to fail. I mean, I heard that Bush didn't even know the difference between the Sunnis and the Shiites until two months before the invasion."
"I tell you, the only way to stop these guys is to hope the Democrats take over the Congress."
I imagine that very few here realize the extermely short amount of time we have to introduce ideas into the minds of the public. When we canvass our neighborhoods, we are told specifically not to try to persuade voters - to only record the voter's sentiment so that the Democratic headquarters can mail a crappy pamphlet about their particular issue. Let's help ourselves by weaving a coherent story right now - the Republicans can't govern and that can't keep their noses out of everyone's business.