It’s a story that could come right out of O. Henry. The Republicans react to frightening fantasies and outright lies and win, while the Democrats fail to react in time to a very real danger and lose.
The Republicans are enthusiastic because they feel they are fighting for their very lives. The Democrats are just now waking up to the fact that they are the ones who are truly in jeopardy.
Until Vice President Biden’s straight talk, the Democratic leadership have behaved as if they are completely oblivious to the impending catastrophe that could very well befall the Democratic Party, and the whole nation as well.
The Vice President said it loudly, plainly and clearly. We Democrats need to grasp the fact that we have been out-gunned in the P.R. department, and no matter how true our facts are, unless they are heard loud and clear, over and over, from a lot of people shouting at once, our facts will continue to be drowned out by lies, and the lies will win.
Those Republican lies are blasting out of a monstrously large and well-funded amplifying system provided by the Koch Bros., big pharma, the financial and oil industries, et al. All of the Tea-Party base-building hype that many are calling ‘voter enthusiasm’ is actually an expression of fear, manufactured and distributed by professional rabble-rousers paid for by Koch, et al.
The sad part is that their message is the only one being heard by the independent and undecided voters. Those voters make up a large part of the electorate. So far, all they’ve been hearing is the other side’s message. If we want to win, we have to get our message out there just as loud and just as often as the Republicans do.
When our message finally begins to be heard, the truth will be out, and many voters leaning to the right will suddenly have to re-think the things they’ve been hearing from the right, and we will see a sharp increase of the number of undecided voters. It’s to these independent and undecided voters that we should address our message. It is urgent that they hear it loud and clear. Now!
The conservative rallies and gatherings are successful because they give a public display of unity, strength and solidarity. That public façade makes a strong, positive impression on undecided and independent voters, in spite of the fact that they may not have a clear understanding of what the organization really stands for, or that it was concocted by corporate lobbyists.
What can we do? How can we respond? I suggest we follow Vice President Biden’s example. He spoke out in public. He pushed back. This push could come from the grass roots level, from local Democratic Clubs.
Between now and the election, let every local Democratic club or campaign organization put on some sort of public event. Do it in every state, in every city and town all across the country. Call it “A Celebration of Progress’, or anything you like. Make it a true grass-roots voice. Everyone has heard from the phony astro-turf crowd, it’s time everyone heard from us, the real grass-roots folks.
Invite speakers. The event could be held in conjunction with a picnic or barbecue, a formal dinner, or a potluck at someone’s home. It could be a wine and cheese social. It could be a voter registration party. Anything you like. But let’s all stand up now and speak publicly for our side. If we don’t, who will? If not now, when?
Restate the many accomplishments that President Obama has achieved. The only message the undecided and independents have heard so far is one of lies and distortions. It’s time our message got some attention.