Positive Democratic Tactic question; or

[Cassius23]

Why can't we have fun the way we used to AND get the job done?

One of the things that I've noticed as I've read about the history of the Republicans and the Democrats is that until recently the Democrats were the ones that, when motivated, could get the job done and have fun doing it. The Republicans could also get the job done, but seem to be sticks in the mud a lot of the time. It seems to me that if we want to get some seats back in 2006, we need to start looking at


A. Showing that we can do the job and do it well at the local level.
We don't need control of the MSM. Usually most of the Democrats I know have a friend at the local paper that is willing to help out if he can prove that Democratic leaders are doing their jobs and doing it well. Consistently doing your job well can kill more mudslinging campaigns at the local level than you might think(on the national level, that's a whole other kettle of fish).

B. Having fun. The Republicans are masters of the Dour Responsible Old Man archetype. We shouldn't be trying to ape them. We should give that battle to them and concentrate on having fun AND doing our job well. Now I'm sure you're thinking. "How can we have fun. Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Avian Bird Flu, HORRIBLE APOCALYPSE RIGHT NOW RIGHT NOW!!!". That, I am saying is why we should have fun while doing what we need to do. The best protests have a very strong party atmosphere combined with righteous indignation. The best campaigns make you want to vote for the candidate because it feels like you are not only helping your state/county/city but also because you are joining the party.

So, that's my positive ideas on what we can do to get more seats in 2006. What are your positive ideas?

***Editing out typo, replaced Democrat with Democratic. Late shift posting, urgh***

[McKenzie]

1. n/t get the source code to the voting machines

[JNelson6563]

2. It can be fun

Last year, while being a good Dem and working my guts out for a candidate I had little faith in, we managed to have a lot of fun. Even now, while trying to chair a Congressional District, I do my best to make it fun. I'm hearing feedback that the meetings are currently more lively than they have been in years.

The thing is, the parties (emphasis on the county parties) need to get busy on initiatives. Send out mailings and stuff like that. The work-bees required to get those jobs done are great for creating commaraderie. Ideas tend to flow in those settings too. If you have a person running such efforts that has positive energy it's likely to be a great experience for all involved and will lead to future efforts by them and possibly more cause they heard it was fun.

Julie

PS It's "Democratic tactic", not "Democrat tactic". One of the positive things we can do is not use right-wing memes.

[Cassius23]

3. See, I agree with that..

The thing I can't understand is why I see on the press the Democrats are trying to outrepublican the Republicans. I mean, they have the lock on being who and what they are. For us, being what we are got us through WWII and about 40 years afterwards just fine.

P.S.- The title was a typo. I think the use of Democrat in that way intentionally is just bad grammar, not propaganda. Either way, noted and corrected. Thank you.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

4. Hmmm fun. I like it.

I think the ladies who get naked at the demonstrations in San Fran are having a lot of fun. Not THAT is letting it all hang out.

I don't have that kind of guts.

But everybody knows Republican parties aren't any fun. You have to dress up and eat canape's with your little finger sticking out.