I assume we've all read this by now

[union_maid]

Why They Won
By THOMAS FRANK

The first thing Democrats must try to grasp as they cast their eyes over the smoking ruins of the election is the continuing power of the culture wars. Thirty-six years ago, President Richard Nixon championed a noble "silent majority" while his vice president, Spiro Agnew, accused liberals of twisting the news. In nearly every election since, liberalism has been vilified as a flag-burning, treason-coddling, upper-class affectation. This year voters claimed to rank "values" as a more important issue than the economy and even the war in Iraq.

And yet, Democrats still have no coherent framework for confronting this chronic complaint, much less understanding it. Instead, they "triangulate," they accommodate, they declare themselves converts to the Republican religion of the market, they sign off on Nafta and welfare reform, they try to be more hawkish than the Republican militarists. And they lose. And they lose again. Meanwhile, out in Red America, the right-wing populist revolt continues apace, its fury at the "liberal elite" undiminished by the Democrats' conciliatory gestures or the passage of time.
<snip>
To short-circuit the Republican appeals to blue-collar constituents, Democrats must confront the cultural populism of the wedge issues with genuine economic populism. They must dust off their own majoritarian militancy instead of suppressing it; sharpen the distinctions between the parties instead of minimizing them; emphasize the contradictions of culture-war populism instead of ignoring them; and speak forthrightly about who gains and who loses from conservative economic policy

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/05/opinion/05frank.html

As far as I can see this is exactly right. What I'd like to know is how to make it so. Certainly working on the local level is part of it, but I'd like to movement in this direction on all levels now. the new Democrats, the DLC or whatever you want to call them have had their chance and I'd sure like to see us get back to our core economic values. I have Democratic senators and a Democratic congressman. I'd like to know what you think is the most effective way to communicate these thoughts to them.

[ComerPerro]

1. Thomas Frank, great guy, check out his book

"What's the Matter With Kansas?".

It discusses this topic in great detail, and is a must-read for anyone on the left, especially those in the midwest.

[deutsey]

3. I can't say enough good things about this guy and his books

Check out George Lakoff, as well.

To me, what these two authors advocate may very well resurrect progressive populism.

[ComerPerro]

5. Isn't he the one

who wrote a book similar to Frank's, about language/framing debates and values/morality? I thought I saw some discussion of him in a thread yesterday, but I could be thinking of someone else.

[annabanana]

8. progressive populism is our ticket back

The coddling of corrupt corporations will be the downfall of the avaricious Right!

[RafterMan]

2. Fine, but...

you can point out the contradictions in the Republican class attack, but you must acknowledge and address the kernel of truth.

How many posts have there been heaping scorn on ignorant, backward Reds and their faith-based voting? Surely it is possible to rein in this derision without capitulation. Letting it run free only tightens the bonds of Nixon's trap.

The DLC claims they're not going to respond by moving right ( http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=131&subid=192&contentid=253002 ), but who knows. I'm willing to hear suggestions from them and anyone else at this point.

[demokatgurrl]

4. I think the DLC IS inclined to move right, based on

what I've heard from Al From. And we should NOT go there.

[union_maid]

6. I don't think we can win their hearts and minds

At least not the ones who voted for Bush on cultural issues. Those minds are nailed shut. However, we fall really short in the economic area. Kerry's ideas for healthcare were probably the best he could hope to get passed. He should have continued to say that, admit that it's only a start and you need a Democratic majority to do better than that. Telling us he's going to save the average American $1000 a year as though that's going to help a great deal is NOT understanding the problems of the middle class. Overall, I think Kerry would have been great for the middle and lower economic classes, to the extent that current conditions permit, but the message was too little, too late.

[Habibi]

7. I think this is exactly right, too

Moving to the right has achieved nothing, except to alienate the traditional Dem base. As Frank says, Dems have taken care "to antagonize no one." We didn't speak up when, years ago, the demonization of liberalism began. We've tried to get along by staying quiet.

Well, it ain't much, but it's time for me, personally, to start speaking up. Time for "antagonizing" bumper stickers on my car ("Want religion in schools? Join the Taliban."), antagonizing letters to the editor that put MY values out there for all to see. Time to confront that brother-in-law, whose regurgitation of RW pablum I have heretofore let pass in the interests of family harmony. I have been afraid in the past to do even this much. I have "behaved," thinking that "everybody is entitled to their opinion" to the point that I have stopped expressing MY opinion, except when I am around like-minded people. No more.

Risking road rage, a brick through my window, a family split? So be it.

And I think it is time to make clear to the Democratic party that they'd better start addressing the concerns of their base, or their base will desert them, and they will have NO chance of winning in the future. If I'm going to ally myself with a "losing" party, I might as well support one that actually reflects my values.

[jonnyblitz]

9. I just purchased Thomas Frank's book, "What's the matter with

Kansas" yesterday.

[Tsiyu]

10. Stop trying to make Repukes feel comfortable

They rely on guilt and shame to accomplish their agenda. In congregations all across America, preachers are screaming at the flock - even the two-year-olds- that hellfire and brimstone are headed for the Bubba Belt and all the Belts. It's easy to subdue folks with God/Fear/Shame. They'll vote for Ted Bundy if the preacher says Jeebus is down with it.

WE cannot win these folks. Ever.

Instead of realizing this, short-sighted sellouts in the party try to fashion themselves into social conservatives. All well and good, but what are you gonna give up next? Abolitionists didn't fight for a little less slavery. They fought for an end to ALL slavery.

It is the right of the individual we are discussing here. There is NO CHRISTIAN in this nation who can say he or she is not upheld as an individual. I have seen no evidence ANYWHERE I'VE travelled that Christian churches are being targeted in any way. Their homes are not being blown to bits ( as the Iraqis' are). They are free to pass their values to their children. if they don't like secular education, they can homeschool or utilize private religious facilities. They can read the books they choose. They can post Bible verses on their lawns. I am hard pressed to think of ANY way in which Christians are persecuted from individually pursuing their faith.

I once called myself a Christian. I was never persecuted. Not once.

The problem is that some greedy, bloodthirsty people have hijacked Christianity and use it as a marketing ploy. Brand identification. While homeless Vets cower under park benches this raw November, the "godly" worship three times a week in absolute palaces - perfectly heated with comfy seats and shower facilities and raquetball courts.

They sing praises to thier false god, chanting about how they would do anything for the lord. But they won't take their fat asses down the street and pick up a homeless elderly woman and carry her into that warm place. They deserve comfort and companionship. The cold, hungry poor do not.

Why try to appease these wretches, all dressed up with nothing to give?

Find the people who DON'T VOTE. They are more sane for opting out than the greedy, self-serving parasites who claim Jesus sanctioned the bloodbath in Iraq.

Find the disenfranchised, and there you will find your message and your base.

"The least shall be the greatest."

"The last shall be first."