Okay, this is fun and all. But what are we presenting as an alternative

[LittleClarkie]

What can the Democrats present to the electorate that will show that they have a plan to get us out of this mess. Is the agenda that Reid came up with enough? Do we just need to publicize it?

What say you?

On edit: What I'm trying to say is, watching Bush and Company self-destruct is fun and all, but how do we as a Party capitalize on the fact that the Republican Party is starting to implode?

Do we sit here, watch the fun, and figure that the voters just naturally head our way with little effort from us?

Do we look for a leader to rally folks around, someone to catch the imagination and make us believe that the country, the whole rotten enchilada can be fixed?

Do the Dems run with the agenda put for by Reid at the beginning of this Congress, get on message and get themselves on the news programs to sell it?

Do we donate our little hearts out so that the DNC will have plenty of money to field candidates in many more places than we thought we had a chance in?

What do we do?

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Identify another Saddam guy to run the place like he did.

It's inevitable, so why not at least have a say in the selection?

[hedgehog]

2. Do you mean Iraq in particular or the entire mess?

I think we Democrats have been headed down hill ever since we ran a candidate who lived in a gated community - in Minnesota! (Mondale) I want a candidate who doesn't apologize for wanting to do something about sharing the wealth and who doesn't think that this country can do less in 2008 than it could in 1932!

[LittleClarkie]

3. I'm not talking candidates. I think I mean the entire party.

How do we communicate what we offer that is better than the Republicans?

Not just on the war, but on energy policy, and disaster relief, national security, the whole enchilada.

See also my edited OP for more clarification.

I don't think we can just sit here lookin' cute. The poll numbers indicate that Americans are sick of ALL politicians right now, but the Republicans more.

[against all enemies]

7. A clear message on healthcare wouldn't hurt.

people understand high insurance cost, not having access, and portability. They know it all sucks. This issue touches everyone and is tailor made for the Democrats.

[hedgehog]

10. We can't sit around whining about what we'd do if we could

but everything costs too much money. That's a starting point.

[lildreamer316]

4. Gore.

Enough said.
(Will remind ppl of the boom '90s and remind them he was almost elected/selected).
Yes, I know you weren't asking for candidates, but for his ideals and platform to run the party would be a great step. Do you see what I mean?

[Zodiak]

18. Yes, I do

Gore is a great example to use here on DU. He represents a lot to the average DUer. He is a man who was on the side of progressives, then he started to advocate for the dark side (to a degree), and now he has come back home and embraced his populist/progressive roots with gusto. He is the Forgiven One, a great counter-argument to the accusation that "liberals will never be happy with a DLCer".

I would vote for Gore in his present incarnation any day of the week; I would be proud to do so would do it without reservation.

Progressive and Populist. Americans will respond to that message, and Gore embodies it. I hear you loud and clear.

[LittleClarkie]

19. But, in case he's serious about not running, we need to use him as

a template for what we're looking for.

[Zodiak]

20. A supportable idea.

As long as it is the present incarnation of Al Gore. I like that guy...the fake one that plays to the middle in response to his advisors, not so much.

So who fits the bill? (because from what I understand, Gor is not running)

Howard Dean? perhaps....a good choice, but not in ideaology, just in fighting and speaking up for traditional Dem values.

Kucinich? Hackett?

I really like Harkin, but I know he is not running. DUers should look up Harkin's voting record. He is a liberal flying underneath the radar.

[LittleClarkie]

21. Some may disagree, but I think Kerry is following a similar path to Gore

But he's only just starting on that path.

Dean, in my book, had better stay right where he is or I'll be miffed. Perhaps a Dean-like personae, but the man himself has a job to do, and it does not include running for president.

Hackett maybe. Or Feingold. I don't know enough on Harkin to comment.

[RagAss]

5. Whatta ya Got ????

Franco looks good next to these bastards....

[LittleClarkie]

6. We can't do the "run a ham sandwich" thing again

Franco looked better than Bush in 2004. Didn't do us alotta good, did it?

It may be an old jalopy, but the owners know how it runs and they're used to it. And they've heard bad things about your brand of car. So how are you going to sell them on the new product. Hmmm?

[RagAss]

9. video loops of Frog Marches...that ought to do it....

[Zodiak]

8. Good Question

We have three choices, and one is not viable because it has been tried three times with no success (number 3). Democrats can:

1. Come to the table with a progressive agenda. Re-establish econimic justice in this country by empowering workers and closing all blanket free trade agreements in favor of individual nation negotiation (with economic justice being a criterion for trade). In the war, pull out, admit the mistake, and subject ourselves to international justice as an example of our leadership...a leader admits mistakes and takes the medicine. As far as the debt goes....I honestly do not know how to solve the problem in the short-term. Bush really screwed this up and put us into an untenable economic position. The best thing we can hope for is reestablishment of the progressive tax system with a few extra "tweaks" to ensure corporations pay their fair share and the good nature of other countries who are willing to wait for repayment of that debt indefinitely while we fix things. Also, we need to reestablish th rule of Constitutional law in federal matters. No more wire-taps, secret detentions, internet spying, COINTELPRO, librarian intimidation, media intimidation, etc.....all rights respected regardless of political affiliation.

2. Come to the table with a populist agenda. Push for workers' and farmers' rights and forcibly make the corporations pay all a fair wage. Emphasize the morality of taking care of all while eliminating the "evils" of society by achieving economic justice. Healthcare should should be provided to all for free, and our churches and synogogues should be allowed funding to help provide meals, etc. to those in need. As far as the debt goes, the corporations pay for it, period. All corporations who profiteer on the blood of Americans are dissolved and their CEOs jailed, the proceeds of their dissolution are incorporated into the general welfare. All Americans are guaranteed a living wage, healthcare, a retirement, a house, a car, and the right to bear arms without abrogation of those rights legally possible without conviction of a felony.

3. Continue like we have, supporting corporate power in the hopes that a few jobs wil trickle down to the little people, ignoring that said jobs do not provide any guarantee of a future for anyone. Allow corporate power to trample our Constitutional Rights, our right to know the TRUTH about our goverment, our right to a voice in our elections, our right to property, and our right to privacy. Pretend that Americans love corporations so much that both parties should pursue a pro-corporate agenda. Ignore the suffering of millions of people in favor of the latest wisdom coming from CNN or other such media sources.

I personally vote for #1, and I allow for this to be wrong in some respects. But it's a start.

[hedgehog]

11. How about, "Government that works! " or

"Government that works -for you!"

after Katrina and the oncoming scandals maybe that's all we'll need.

[LittleClarkie]

12. And then prove it

my particular candidate of choice (:))was trying to do that this morning on CSPAN, talking about trying to tack a heating oil amendment onto the... err... dang, my memory... Agriculture bill, I believe. Held some sort of event to talk about the need for energy assistance this morning.

It's heartless and criminal that the Republicans voted it down the last time. We need to make sure people know about that.

[Zodiak]

14. a nice idea

but it is not concrete enough as a plan. The Repukes would pull that apart as "an empty agenda".

They have sold Americans on the idea that government doesn't work. This might play into their hands.

Not that I don't think it is a good idea.

I'm trying real hard to not use a football analogy to describe the situation we are in.

[hedgehog]

16. That's ok, I don't understand football anyways.

[hedgehog]

15. You know, Bush has a lot of people convinced now that

government can't work. Reagan only convinced them that it was working for someone else. We know it's working for the privileged, but every time we try to get that message across the cry goes out"Class warfare!"

[Zodiak]

17. A populist or a progressive

would not be afraid of those terms (class warfare).

One more thing...your idea is a great message. The American people have been sold on the idea that Bush is incompetent and participates in cronyism. It is great to lead with a strength, but we definitely need a concrete plan to back it up, and we cannot trust our politicians to construct such a plan for us.

The People need an agenda, and a place like DU or Kos or wherever are a great place for such an idea to catch hold.

[LittleClarkie]

13. Exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping to generate, thanks

and welcome, newbie!