The vast strength of the southern democrat party can be recaptured, but we must address the issues with logic and with thought.
Having lost the South in 1980, the Democratic Party seems satisfied to just look the other way. As a party we have become soft, unwilling to fight, unwilling to confront the bully---in a word, "NICE".
To bring the formerly democratic solid south back to our party, we must confront the lies, confront the issues and be willing to pick a fight.
In 2004, the Democrats had good ideas, a war hero on top of the ticket and a southerner as the running mate. What did the party do--wimped out.
Had this campaign be run by John Kennedy or Lyndon Johnson, the adds would have had pictures of John Kerry in Viet Nam on a split screen with Dubya at a frat party. They would have shown a 13 yr. old, sweeping out an empty textile mill with Cheney sitting at a board room table stacked with money.
The adds would have dared Bush and the boys to challenge Kerry's credentials.
The campaign should have let Edwards loose and allowed him to be the stalking horse for the campaign. He should have been given free reign to call out the other side, but no--we spent time defending, rather than attacking.
Politics is not now, nor has it ever been, for the weak. Politics is a blood sport and must be addressed as such. Remember Burr and Hamilton fought a duel for politics.
I suggest that everyone go home, look in the mirror and see who looks back. If you are not willing to fight, just admit it and let those who will, step up.
If we want to make the South a battleground again, you have got to confront the bully, because then, and only then, will you get the respect of the old southern democrats, and, quite possibly, many other democrats in the midwest and far west.