Speaking in Kent, Ohio, on February 12, U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown emphasized the need for Democrats to make a direct connection between Republican corruption and the loss of the hopes and dreams of ordinary Americans.
The importance of communication and reaching out to people was a theme that Brown returned to many times in his presentation. Democrats, said Rep. Brown, need to say plainly that "the reason people live longer lives in this country is because of progressive government." The Bush administration, said Rep. Brown, has reopened debate on basic, previously-settled issues of safety and security for workers. He pointed to the recent mine disasters in West Virginia as examples of the tragedy that can befall working people when wealthy, privileged interests are given the reins of governmental power and allowed to stop progressive advances.
Choosing to take questions from the audience in lieu of a more formal speech, Brown addressed a wide range of concerns, from poverty and the inadequate minimum wage to the wiretapping scandal, Iraq, and Republican corruption. In doing so, he also addressed the problem of perceived Democratic lethargy. Each of these issues negatively impacts the lives of individuals, and Rep. Brown's view is that Democrats need to talk about cause and effect. "If we'd had a draft, we wouldn't have the Iraq war," he said.
Rep. Brown also stated that Democrats should not shy away from addressing faith and moral issues. "There's a lot more in the Bible about poverty than homosexuality, and Democrats shouldn't be afraid to talk about it," he said. He also stated that "Democrats assume too much:" they assume that people already know that Democrats put more emphasis on economic issues, instead of directly addressing the economic concerns of working people. Rep. Brown spoke frankly about the difficulty of reaching a consensus in a large group, but thought that two or three outspoken voices for change in the Senate could be pivotal. "If more speak out, more will follow," he said.
Brown is a populist through and through, and his liberal voting record in the House speaks for itself. In this election year, with voters showing signs of hostility toward business as usual in Congress, it remains to be seen if Brown's experience will serve him as well as it might in a different political climate.
It should be an interesting primary.