Al From: Democrats must close three gaps in trust

[question everything]

Please note: I don't think that Al From has anything to contribute, but since he is the founder of the DLC, I thought it would be interesting to post. Q.E

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Democrats must close three gaps in trust

By Al From and Ed Kilgore
November 21, 2004

(snip)

It's hard to ignore the basic problem: We didn't effectively make the case for firing the incumbents and replacing them with Democrats. As a result, Republicans won a majority of the popular vote; made gains in both Houses of Congress; and increased their grip on a vast swath of heartland states.

The slow but significant erosion of Democratic support in recent years is a collective responsibility for all Democrats, us included. It will not be reversed by any simple, mechanical move to the "left" or the "right;" by any new infusion of cash or grass-roots organizing; by any reshuffling of party institutions or their leadership; or by any magically charismatic candidates. That's why engaging in any "struggle for the soul of the party," or any assignment of blame, is such a waste of time. But that's also why Democrats must take the defeat seriously, and pursue a strategy for revival and reform. The dynamics of this campaign have confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Democrats suffer from three persistent "trust gaps" in our message.

The first "trust gap" was on national security, which became a crucial issue after 9/11, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Kerry tried very hard to close this gap, and refused to accept the advice of those who suggested he simply concede the issue to Bush (which would have expanded the gap to catastrophic dimensions).

(snip)

The second obvious problem for Democrats was a "reform gap." Having lost control of every nook and cranny of the federal government during the last two elections, Democrats were perfectly positioned to run as bold, outsider, insurgent reformers determined to change Washington, and the public was ready to embrace such a message and agenda.

(snip)

The third "trust gap" that hurt Democrats was another hardy perennial: values and culture. And here the evidence of a Democratic handicap is overwhelming. As every exit poll has shown, "moral values" was the number one concern of voters on Nov. 2 – more than terrorism, Iraq, the economy, health care, education or anything else. And among voters citing "moral values" as their top concern, Democrats got clobbered.

More..
Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041121/news_lz1e21from.html

From is founder and CEO of the Democratic Leadership Council. Kilgore is the DLC's policy director.

[aquart]

1. But I don't trust the DLC.

What do we do about THAT gap?

[ConservativeDemocrat]

13. I dunno....

Get used to losing?

When Al From says:

But while Kerry convinced Americans we would be smarter on national security, he could not overcome the party's reputation for being weaker, and that was a deal-breaker for many voters who didn't want to take any chances with their security.

He's dead on.

Hell - I've seen moderate Democrats - the exact kind of people we need to bring more of into the party being savagely attacked in the D.U. because of their support for American troops. They go away, and don't come back.

I wonder if they go away from the entire Party. I hope not, but it's probably wishful thinking on my part.

Great job building the party guys! Keep it up, and you'll be the only people left.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[liberalpragmatist]

2. I don't like From but I think this article is mostly correct

I've been pissed off at the DLC for sometime now, but I think we should give them a fair hearing. Frankly, this article is not a call for intraparty warfare or for radically realigning the party to the right. It's pretty level-headed, and I think he makes a lot of good points.

[grease_monkey]

9. Article is completely incorrect, and Al From is a traitor to his country

The whole article is nothing but complete nonsense. From is partly reponsible for all the people who have died before their time because they have no healthcare. Why do they have no healthcare, when every European have healthcare? Because of people like From who have turned the Democratic party into a pale version of the GOP.

When are we going to hold From responsible for this heinous crime?

[proudbluestater]

3. I found this statement the most telling...

"It will not be reversed by any simple, mechanical move to the "left" or the "right;" by any new infusion of cash or grass-roots organizing; by any reshuffling of party institutions or their leadership."

Sounds like he's trying to save his DLC. I think it's just a money pit myself. Put the party in the hands of the people. You ARE the party of the people now, aren't you, Al? You USED to be. Now you are seeming more like Republicans, the party of the Big Corporation first. Remember who signed NAFTA. It wasn't a Republican. But you want all those union votes come election time, right?

[quiet.american]

4. Somebody turn off Al From's mic

"We didn't effectively make the case for firing the incumbents and replacing them with Democrats. As a result, Republicans won a majority of the popular vote; made gains in both Houses of Congress; and increased their grip on a vast swath of heartland states."

How long has this guy been saying this, now? At least for five years would be about right.

So, with all their money and "experience," why is it that a young whippersnapper named Oliver Willis is kicking the DLC's behind when it comes to "branding" and "selling" the Democratic ideals?

Down with the DLC.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Memo to Al-

Instead of going introspective on us, how about getting involved in voter fraud? I have no interest in your analysis when the only thing that really needs addressing is getting all the goddam votes properly counted.

[saracat]

6. Kerry began to pick up steam when he ignored your advise!

The first "trust gap" was on national security, which became a crucial issue after 9/11, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Kerry tried very hard to close this gap, and refused to accept the advice of those who suggested he simply concede the issue to Bush (which would have expanded the gap to catastrophic dimensions).


National Security was one of the defining issues, you jackass! He couldn't just "concede" it. That is the thinking that loses us elections! Get busy and count those votes so we know what we are talking about!

[bemildred]

7. KoolAid:

The slow but significant erosion of Democratic support in recent years is a collective responsibility for all Democrats, us included. It will not be reversed by any simple, mechanical move to the "left" or the "right;" by any new infusion of cash or grass-roots organizing; by any reshuffling of party institutions or their leadership; or by any magically charismatic candidates. That's why engaging in any "struggle for the soul of the party," or any assignment of blame, is such a waste of time. But that's also why Democrats must take the defeat seriously, and pursue a strategy for revival and reform. The dynamics of this campaign have confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Democrats suffer from three persistent "trust gaps" in our message.

This is just a recasting of the media spin. It's all a PR problem,
we have to regain the "trust" of the people, "values", "security",
etc., babble, babble. He throws in the "reform" meme to give us
"radicals" a bone of hope to chew on.

It's about jobs and the economy and the stupid Iraq war and public
policy at home, and if you have nothing to say there, you deserve to
lose, and you will.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. Wrong wrong wrong...

"As every exit poll has shown, "moral values" was the number one concern of voters on Nov. 2 – more than terrorism, Iraq, the economy, health care, education or anything else. And among voters citing "moral values" as their top concern, Democrats got clobbered."

That is pure bullshit and he knows it. We have seen a multitude of articles that show that Iraq was the number one issue of voters when flat out asked.

From is a lying sack of shit.

"Democrats were perfectly positioned to run as bold, outsider, insurgent reformers determined to change Washington, and the public was ready to embrace such a message and agenda."

Now that sounds good, but what kind of "reform" is he talking about? More corporate sucking up? More reductions of social programs? More moving right?? Thanks but no thanks, Al.


"It will not be reversed by any simple, mechanical move to the "left" or the "right;" by any new infusion of cash or grass-roots organizing; by any reshuffling of party institutions or their leadership; or by any magically charismatic candidates. That's why engaging in any "struggle for the soul of the party," or any assignment of blame, is such a waste of time."

In others words, sit down and shut up to those of you who are saying there needs to be a change in the rightward tilt of the party or even, worse say that ther DLC needs to go.

From is just trying to cover his ass and prevent the erosion of the DLCs/corporations power. The massive grass-roots political/money movement as witnessed by the 527s and the Deaniacs showed the people of the party were quite capable of bypassing the current DLC/DNC leadership in making thinks happen. We just can't have that, now can we???? :eyes:

[question everything]

11. As Ellen Goodman wrote:

I find this absolutely maddening. Check the choices put before the exiting voters. They could pick, among other things, Iraq, the economy or moral issues. The underlying conclusion was that anyone who picked the war, say, or jobs was not voting their values.

http://www.postwritersgroup.com/archives/good1105.htm

[Lydia Leftcoast]

14. And as Barbara Ehrenreich wrote several years ago:

(and I have to paraphrase) The reason that voters don't trust the government is that ever since Reagan took over, programs that benefit ordinary people have been cut back or frozen while programs that are coercive (the "war on drugs," school regulations that just generate paperwork) have grown tremendously.

[a new day]

10. The problem is

Republicans voting for Bush 94%
Democrats voting for Kerry 88%

The last Democrat that won on national security was FDR, and we all know that anything FDR did is crap, just ask Al.

Clinton cut back the government payroll and streamlined government, what happened? Bush came in a screwed it all up. This turkey of an "issue" isn't worth a bucket of warm spit.

No way in hell that appealing to the Christian Coalition is going to raise Democrats voting for a Democrat even 1%.

[Cheswick2.0]

12. getting a little scared are ya Al?

He is just afraid his organization will become obsolete..then were will he up money for doing nothing useful?

[Seabiscuit]

15. Just close the yap gap on From's face.