I have been thinking about the causes of the national Democratic defeat. Most of us have. I have been thinking about the candidate, the strategy, the voters... One word keeps popping up in my mind: "bold."
Think about it. The most romantic thing in American culture is this ideal of a bold individual (often a leader) making a bold decision and winning. The second most romantic vision is of a bold individual making a bold decision and tragically losing. Right or wrong, you have to respect the bold.
Being bold does not mean being un-nuanced, of course, but it does mean being straight-forward. It means saying things that people won't like. It means speaking your mind and stepping on toes. It means being reckless on occasion, but this recklessness is not necessarily irresponsible.
Kerry lacked this trait. Now, I can imagine Mr. Kerry in the War-Room, deliberating over strategy and diplomatic subterfuge. I can imagine him carefully weighing an issue, coming to a wise decision. I think he would have been an extremely effective and good president, but his candidacy ultimately lacked boldness.
For Democrats to win again, I think that we have to find this trait. We've had it before. We can bring out a candidate who has it again. Our senators and congressmen can exhibit boldness. People won't like it, as they will disagree, but they'll respect it. Ultimately, people can come around, too.
Just some food for thought.