I realize we have discussed this issue but really, we need an action plan in 2010 or we will loose and loose badly.
I think all of us on the Kos site realize the problem: We have an Enthusiasm Gap. We can say all there is about the Tea Baggers are older white misinformed hateful voters but they are going to vote and in large numbers.
We have all looked at the Demographic trends and realize we will have a majority of young, Hispanic, African American and Asan voters who are basically progressive. What good is it if they only vote on major elections
I have some ideas of how to address this
- Focus of issues relevant to young people: Progressive Democrats need to be talking about Affordable College Education and all of the time. We need to take that message to the colleges and progressive web sites and to Jon Stewart (he has a bigger audience than O'Reilly or Beck) and get them excited that we are actually going to legislate something that will make a difference in their lives
- Pass meaningful Health Care: Even if we don't get the public option if we put an end to pre -existing conditions that the public can actually feel we accomplished a change
- Immigration Reform: Evey poll in the Hispanic organizations points to immigration reform as tops among Hispanic Voters. They already have a low opinion of the GOP and its not getting any better. If we start this discussion the GOP will self destruct with hateful messages and give this demographic someone to vote for and someone to vote against.
- Focus Groups: Has anyone actually asked the various demographics why they don't vote on off year elections and what needs to be done to reverse that trend.
- Make voting cool: I know this sounds cliché but what if Russell Simmons and the various HIP-HOP artists got involved and we got some messages to vote and get involved Hey, its worth a try.
And above all, stay away from Republican Lite` If the Virginia elections taught us anything, progressives stay home when Republican lite is on the balot and Republicans will vote for Republicans.
Anybody else have any suggestions