While observing Howard Dean the last few weeks, I have had feelings of emmense hope and dread. Even over Turkey last week, my so-called "McCain Republican" uncle lampooned Dean, calling him a joke and just what the Republicans needed. My uncle is a closet neocon.
Then I thought about Dean's appearance on Meet The Press and Russert's question about the National Democratic Agenda/Platform. This is where the dread came in. Dean said "It is coming." When? "In 2006."
Then I come to the Kos this morning, and see that Howard Dean has prediced overall wins in the House and Senate in 06. This line in his message hit me the hardest:
"But the key to winning is running a national campaign based on our different vision and the themes that Democrats around the country have put forward."
The key is a national campaign based on our different vision.
Exactly. And it's coming next year.
Not to sound high and mighty, but this is what we better see.
The day after the State of the Union in January, where W. is likely to throw some insinuating lobs at the Dems, Dean and the leading Dems throw the biggest PR event in years.
I want to see a huge outdoor stage in a beautiful outdoor place in the southwest, tons of balloons and signage, and a huge HD sceen that will bulletpoint the new Democratic Agenda.
I want every leading Dem there, fuck it, every running Dem there. Because what is stated there in that presentation, bulletpointed on that screen, is what every single Democrat running for office will say over and over, at every campaign stop, at every debate. It is called a National Message. And Dean should inforce it nationwide.
I want Harry Reid to introduce all of the Fighting Dems, one by one, and let them clearly announce our platform in Iraq. It needs to be stated.
I want every single media member in the country there, taking pictures, capturing video, doing live reports. I want Brit Hume from Fox to compare it to Gingritch/Norquist's "Contract with America" 3 times that night.
The reason for all of this is twofold.
One, to get every Dem on the same page, so that it is clear to them what our national message is.
Two, to create an environment where no Republican can get away with saying Democrats have no message or ideas.
As long as the message is clear, that kind of balls and clarity could swing 15 seats in the house easy.