I want to focus on a simple issue, one that is perplexing Democrats from every political spectrum. We face a huge challenge in November. Everyone has been putting their two cents worth on how we should frame the debate, but I think we are forgetting the point.
We are too concerned about how the Democratic message is framed. We should be focusing on what we believe, how we see the future and the choice that faces all of us.
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I thought Gingrich's slogan was great, "Had Enough?" The whole 2006 campaign could be fought with this slogan. But if all we offer is "had enough" in 2006 we lose. The defeats in 2004, 2002 and 2000, were not about slogans or frames. They were not about policy vs. ideas. They were not about a "narrative" illustrating core values. It was about something else, character.
In Crashing The Gate, Markos talks about the bankruptcy of ideas of the "Inside the beltway" Dem consultants, the do nothings of the Democratic "elite." There have been great discussions of their failure trying to sell policies instead of ideas. There is a lot merit to that argument, but it is not the whole story, it comes back to character.
If we are to ever win we must standup and speak out for what we believe. Standing for vision and values is the winning combination and being willing to fight for those ideas tooth and nail until the bitter end.
One man/woman standing up for what we believe, speaking truth to power, articulating a vision for the future. It is what was so seductive about Howard Dean in 2004 and John Edwards' "Two Americas" vision. Today there are no safe answers, we need honest straight talk about what matters to us, what we believe and those beliefs will shape our future.
We can probably win with "had enough." But if we want to create a legacy for the future, if we want to create an America that serves all the people, if we want economic justice, if we want to restore our constitutional liberties, we need to stand up for the values we hold dear, stand up for ideals in which we believe. Voters will respond.
It's not about framing. It's not about policy. It's about being committed to progressive ideals and telling people where we stand. Many may not agree with us on one issue or another, but they will respond to us because of vision, values, truth and character.
We have to be willing to fight the fight no matter win or lose.
Standing up for what we believe, never standing down that is the formula for success. If we stand up, the bankrupt republicans will stand down.