(Re-posted from an open thread comment that got lost in the shuffle)

I've been delving a little more deeply into the suspension of Davis-Bacon in the Gulf Coast...and can someone tell me what I'm missing?

As I recently posted in HadIt's diary, up until now I haven't paid attention to all the discussions involving "crafting of the Democrats' message," but I thought I'd try this on for size:

"The Democrats are the party of jobs, education, and health care. We are the party of civil rights and human rights. We are the party of national security and building of a harmonious world."

Three sentences. 34 words. Is this really so wordy? So highbrow? So hard to understand? Is it not what mainstream America wants? Is it not TRUE?

What do you think?

My name is Eileen and I live in Sterling, Virginia. I have been a Democrat since 1990. I am a Progressive, and I am a religious Jew.

I categorically reject claims made by some that Progressives are against people of faith. I am a Progressive because of my Jewish faith.

First diary: I'll start with a question for those more knowledgeable than I.

I moved to Virginia in 2001, the year this (STILL) red state elected Mark Warner governor. I arrived here too late to be involved with his election but I did vote for him and have been very happy with him. But having been involved in Virginia politics since that time, I've come to wonder how this man ever got himself elected in THIS state.

Of course there's all this buzz now about whether he'll run for George Allen's Senate seat in 2006 or possibly the White House in 2008. So my question to Virginians who have been here longer is this: How did Warner pull it off? Is it something he did, said, ran on, or believes in that would make me think he could actually BE a good candidate for president in 2008 or at least have a chance of ousting Allen in 2006?

Thanks. :-)