Hope is not a plan; however, despair is not a plan either. The message that Democratic control of the House is in jeopardy or that the Senate may fall under the control of Republicans is not the way to motivate Democrats. Robert Gibbs' statement to the effect that the number of House seats in play could lead to a Republican take over of the House was simply fear mongering. If this is a harbinger of the Administration's strategy for the election, it is a monumental mistake. Even as a trial ballon it is reckless and shallow.
Projecting a sense of positive action and determination would be an inspirational tone. Projecting a complacent position of oh well, you win some and you lose some, may be a way to attempt to divorce the Administration from possible bad election results, but it is not leadership and we need inspirational, combative leadership from the White House.
I am a rated chess player and if this is "n" dimensional chess then I think the White House should try another game. This was a worthless move, angering House leadership and perplexing House members. Speculation about the motives and origin of this statement now bounces around Washington and no one believes that Gibbs is just a loose cannon with a flannel mouthed approach to his job. In fact, a flannel mouthed Gibbs would be the best interpretation of this event, if that were true.
What is the Democratic campaign message going into November? How are we going to frame a winning strategy and a message to match the strategy? Where are we leading America and how are we going to get there? What are we going to do about jobs? How are we going to help the State, County and Municipal governments that are facing tremendous budget shortfalls, which will result in massive lay offs and service cuts? How do we assure both seniors and today's youth that Social Security will not be cut, or dismantled? How are we going to help the unemployed generally, the under-employed and jobless workers over 40 and the new entrants into a stale and fragile economy?
Energy,the environment and the economy are all intertwined. How do we put out an effective message demonstrating the links between them and how our plan will balance the issues of each with the needs of our people?
I know greater political minds than mine have been examining these questions, well I hope so, but you couldn't tell it from the latest polls. Running on healthcare is not working, most of its benefits have not taken effect yet and the fear of the consequences of mandating insurance is still there. Credit Card reform and Lilly Ledbetter, are too small for real campaign traction. In the public's mind ERRA has somehow been turned into TARP on steroids. It is becoming radioactive, as a give away to Wall Street, a takeover of business and budget busting profligacy, all untrue, but deeply rooted memes. The recovery is so weak that only the most optimistic partisans are calling it anything but a tentative success. The Gulf situation has become more hopeful and the $20 billion BP trust fund is promising, but anything could happen and the messaging and action on this disaster was very badly handled.
The best thing we have going for us now is the apparent willingness of various Republican politicians to shoot themselves in the foot by pandering to the "Tea Party" and astounding Americans with their tin eared blather about BP, the economic crisis, the deficit, and immigrants. This series of gaffes by Republicans is good campaign fodder; however, this alone will not win the election.
Democrats need to show the American people we can get things done that directly affect them now. We need to pass unemployment extensions that will carry them through. We need to assist the States and get money out to them fast. We need to put some kind of jobs bill together and if we can't pass it, hang its defeat so firmly around the Republicans neck that they can't weasel out of responsibility, are you listening Ben Nelson. We must have a unified front, no defectors, no Democrats joining concerned Republicans in deficit grand standing. Make a firm pledge to safe guard Social Security and stop the speculation about increasing the retirement age and future solvency. Short term, hard hitting actions that can have immediate economic effect on job creation is urgently needed. Mostly we have to give America a strong message that we are not just seeking power. That we aren't telling them to vote for us because "we're not as bad as the other guys" but that we have the ability to govern in their interest and we will.
The Democratic Party has 113 days to get this message out, we better get busy. By the way, lets not let Robert Gibbs be the messenger.