I know it's been said a thousand times by a thousand different political junkies, but it is still true that democrats and progressives need to get a handle on their message. The Republicans have mastered the art of taking American "values", i.e., fairness, opportunity, hard work, reform, integrity, etc... and framing all their legislation, talking points and media coverage in these terms. Granted it is usually a charade, much like Rush Limbaugh railing against drug addicts, Bill Bennett railing against sinners and Bill O'Reilly railing against sexual deviants.
Democrats need to take these same American cultural traits, traits that every blue stater and red stater can agree on, I'm thinking of fairness, respect for others, hard work, faith in progress, democracy and a few others, and they then need to simultaneously blast the repuglicans for falling short on these or being hypocrites and at the same time frame every policy or piece of legislation in these terms. Reform the tax law to make it more fair and reward hard work. Reform the voting process to make it more fair and democratic. Push for renewable energy because it is the future. Strengthen the education system to give everyone an opportunity.
Peace
Jeromy