Democrats, Dean, wish-wash and conviction

This entry about "The Undecided Voter" and their apathy made me think about the lack of conviction on part of the Democrats. Of course I've heard this theme over and over again the last two weeks but finally it's beginning to sink in - Kerry lost because he was perceived as just "another politician", who'd "say anything to get elected". Maybe Bush is "bad" and a liar but so is Kerry. That's what Joe Average believes. And why?

I think Howards Dean's greatest strength was that he did not come across as the typical politician. He actually seemed passionated, like he cared, like he had some convictions, like he felt that America deserved a better future.

This is the reason why I think Dean would have played very well with red state voters despite the liberal tag - people recognize an honest, commited man when they see him. Kerry may have been all this (I think he was) but it didn't show - he couldn't communicate it. It's the same problem with all Democrat presidential losses from Dukakis to Kerry - the candidates didn't seem passionate/convicted. Gore did, 4 years too late, and he would have won the election if he had been a little more like that in 2000.

Believe it or not - a lot of conservatives still respect and admire Nader and prefer him over Kerry. Nader is well to the left of Kerry, a radical in our right-wing political landscape, but he is a man of conviction (and of course also a purist self-serving catastrophe for progressive America) and conservatives recognize that. Nader was the second choice for many conservatives this year, and they voted for Bush because the Democratic candidate was seen as the "usual" flip-flopper without convictions. Would they have voted for Dean instead? Perhaps, we'll never know.

Still the lesson is that we need to get rid of the bland, elitist, know-better-than-you image. We need men and women that inspires people - real leaders. Simple language is great, but a simple language means nothing if you don't believe (or, rather, aren't perceived as believing) in what you are saying. Bush believes everything he says, we know that.

The most electable person is the person that inspires the most.

Last disclaimer: I don't want this to be taken as a support for ultra-radical liberal policies like gay marriage. I think that's a real non starter right now (or rather: a suicide). We need to compromise with our most radical ideas, seizing power and influence is a long process and the Republicans needed 30 years to complete it.