As a progressive liberal, I am frequently frustrated with the Democratic Party and leading advocacy groups, which is part of our progressive-liberal culture. Although our opposition beats us down daily, we rarely demonstrate self-love. This attitude and corresponding behavior does not lead to great victories.
Whether the Left is simply "herding cats" or we are just too critical of our own, this trend has led to consistent losses going back to Election 1980. The defeat in Election 2010 crippled the Obama Administration and America has paid in "gridlock blood" ever since. As we approach Election 2012, we need to question our focus over the past 32 years. In this time, Republicans have controlled the White House for 20 years — or 62.5 percent of the time. In this period, progressive liberal ideas and the Middle Class have been crushed.
Why? Please follow this link below to review the posted image (apologies, as I don't have accounts at the approved KOS image sites):
Daily Kos Media Summary July 31st
As you see in this summary:
- Romney Trip Takes Another ...
- Romney Trip Raises Sparks ...
- Romney's Jewish Outreach ...
- In Israel, Romney pleases ...
- Romney Provokes Palestinian ...
The GOP is mentioned twice; Banks and Afghanistan get the remaining mentions.
I work in marketing. This is uncommon for progressive liberals. It is a field dominated by conservatives — business owners, business leaders, small businesses, corporate businesses — get the point? Businesses innovate, move, sell, and market products. Business leaders either excel at marketing or their mission falters.
Democrats, progressives, liberals generally suck at marketing. Karl Rove, Rush, Sean, Bill, Drudge, on the other hand, milk society for trillions due to their skills.
Let's Play a Game
Our assignment is to create a strategy to sell Pepsi cola. Following the progressive, liberal strategy, we might point out:
- Coca-cola Takes Another ...
- Coca-cola Raises Sparks ...
- Coca-cola's Jewish Outreach ...
- In Israel, Coca-cola pleases ...
- Coca-cola Provokes Palestinian ...
What is your impression of Pepsi? Get the point? Romney is taking the air out of the discussion. Progressive liberals were gaining traction when they focused the public's attention on Romney's tax filings. This tactic had Romney on his heals. Now there are simply too many mentions about Romney on far too many issues for the public to grasp. Romney simply gains attention — daily, hourly, second-by-second, and this increases his stature.
If everybody is talking about Mitt, he must be important. That it's critical doesn't matter. The media is liberal anyway.
Solutions
Responding to an article on HuffPost today (Democrats Now Strongly Favor Gay Marriage, Pew Research Poll Says), I posted the following:
Fellow Democrats ... I thank you. I honor you! It's great to be part of this history.
We get beat up daily, as the other side has more money and controls traditional media. Yet we refuse to quit and continue slugging it out — holding our heads high and keeping our hearts focused on what matters — caring for each other and this great nation.
Our modern era brought retirement guarantees to those who worked hard all their lives (SS); healthcare to seniors (Medicare); voting rights for woman and minorities; reproductive rights to women; voices to those who have been silenced; strong schools for all; job protection and rights in the workplace; healthcare access to nearly all citizens of the nation ... just to name a few.
We ARE on the just and PONO side of history on these issues. Remember our accomplishments and the good we have done — and that which we will continue to do. Ignore those who wish to divide, distort and deflect us from this noble mission.
It is an honor to help perfect OUR great nation!
Recommendations
America knows ALL about Mitt Romney now. Republicans waged the longest campaign in history so they could target and slam Obama daily. Although this made Obama important, he is the President of the United States — they conceded his importance. Recognizing they wouldn't likely change his title for four years, their constant barrage of attacks on his character and unified NOs to his policy kept their followers energized and sowed seeds of doubt about his work.
Progressive liberals will not be energized hearing only about Romney — positive or negative. Our minds don't process information this way. It simply drains enthusiasm.
If progressive liberals wish to win in November, we need to sell our programs and policy. The problem is our herd of cats isn't quite sure we've been successful. And, this ambivalence is Why Democrats Will Lose in November.
Everything Obama and Democrats did over the past three and a half years was in the correct direction. Some was excellent, much was imperfect — but that is expected in a democratic society. We build on compromise in the public arena. Go to Burger King if you want it your way.
This forum, Daily Kos, is the most sophisticated progressive liberal center in the nation. Change starts here; progress is launched here; the battle for November 2012 can be won here.
Market the progressive liberal agenda ... market this president ... put strong candidates in place to support both the agenda and this president. Sure, some of this is being done. Yet end the focus on Romney. Why speak his name again? Republicans don't like this man; voters don't like this man or his values. They simply aren't sure of the alternative.
Narrow your focus; highlight the greatness of the progressive liberal agenda and hammer this home second-by-second, day-by-day. This is how we win in November. We are on the correct side of history. Do not ever forget this ...
Aloha!
