What should be the direction of the Democratic party?

[Wordie]

Here's a chance to make your voice heard by sending your comments to the man who, as DNC Chairman, is now steering the direction of our party (and doing a TERRIFIC job, imho)...

Send Howard Dean your comments...
From the DNC website:

<snip>
If you'd like to share your thoughts with DNC Chairman Gov. Howard Dean, fill out this form at Democrats.org:

http://www.democrats.org/page/petition/chairman/fdllfu

Thanks!

[electropop]

1. Done!

I called for strong-arming before votes, and the threat of primary challenges for egregious violators of Party values. I also called for issues ads on the trifecta of criminal investigations against Puke leaders (House Senate and WHite House), and on black box voting.

[Wordie]

2. Well, I don't agree with you, but your voice deserves to be heard...it's

the liberal way (tolerance).

I happen to think that while it would be great if all the democrats were as liberal as those posting here, that's just not where the country is right now, and your approach would result in an even SMALLER minority in Congress than we have now, as the RW exploited your criticisms to take over the seats in question.

NOTE! I DID NOT SAY that I don't think we should fight. Nor that we shouldn't stand up firmly for our principles, only that friendly fire is not the best of strategies at the moment, when enough of the country is with us that we CAN make some serious changes, if we play our cards right. I think Dean is the one to lead us.

[formernaderite]

4. I disagree....the country has shifted to where it is right now

because of democratic appeasement, and the notion of the center left. Clinton and his cronies essentially made it difficult for the public to notice the true differences between the parties, and thus they allowed the repubs to move further to the right with the dems following. Let's face reality, average US citizen does not make time to research nuances, nor should they have to.

Stop the move to the right!

[Wordie]

5. Whatever the reason for it, we all would like to stop it. HOW seems to be

the sticking point. I am all for fighting, I just think we should choose our battles VERY wisely at just this moment, because we've got a lot more going for us than we've had in a while, and we should be careful to spend that political capital very wisely. And aim at the RW, not democratic stragglers.

Notice I am saying that we DEFINITELY should spend it. But if we get too far out in front of the American public, we will just be squandering it, imho.

[formernaderite]

9. problem is the democrats are only interested in a quick fix

...nothing long term. I'm suggesting the steps necessary may mean we lose in 08. However, rebuilding a party is a long term vision. I'd rather lose in 08 with a message to build on, one that the public remembers, long enough to compare with what they voted for. Playing it down the middle, means no one remembers "what" you stood for.

[Wordie]

11. I can understand what you are saying there, but after 8 years of GWB,

(which is what we will have had by '08), winning back the presidency (and congress) sure doesn't sound like a "quick fix."

Why don't we do both?

[formernaderite]

12. Have we run progressive candidates?

Running on progressive platforms? No. In fact the party leadership stays quiet on every "controversial" subject for fear of offending someone...anyone. The country is split down the middle because the fight has been one of personality rather than substance. You either like or hate Bush. We, here on DU may have a mindset regarding actual issues, but the public is personality consumed. Why?
Because the issues are so vague.

[Wordie]

14. I agree with what you are saying, I'm just cautioning to not get TOO far

out in front of the public. We need to look at how our values ARE American values, and then explain that to the electorate. I become concerned when I see posters advocating the pulling of Democratic support from those democrats who are in more conservative districts, or aren't as far to the left as they would like. Let's focus instead on persuading the American people that the right does not represent their interests. Let's tell them why the right is wrong for the country.

Bush is getting increasingly unpopular, and republicans are beginning to see that he has no coattails to help them in their own '06 elections. How foolish it would be now to torpedo our own congresspeople, instead of taking advantage of a situation like this. We do need to fight, just not ourselves.

[electropop]

13. We will lose in 06 and 08 if we do not take clear firm stands on issues.

Poll after poll shows that Americans will vote for a candidate whom they may disagree with on a few issues, if they believe that the candidate has a clear and firm position on critical issues, and votes based on consistent values, not just centrist appeasement. There is no center in the American electorate. Pick your side and stay with it. Trying to appease the non-existent center is a prescription for continued disaster.

[Wordie]

16. I am not saying anything about appeasing the middle, only

to not get TOO far out ahead of the middle. Those are two different things. I think it's because we got too far ahead of the middle that we started having difficulties in the first place (I mean way before Clinton, although it is more complicated than just that).

We CAN and SHOULD take clear, firm LIBERAL stands on issues.

[Wordie]

10. To clarify my earlier reply. I don't agree on friendly-fire at Dems; I DO

agree on issues ads. In fact, that's a great idea. The trick is to get the info out there in a convincing way. We need to reach wide.

[Wordie]

3. Howard Dean is asking for YOUR input...kick

[tomg]

6. Well, he wanted my opinion

Dear Dr. Dean,

Honestly, now is the time to go left. For too long, the Democratic Party ( and I come from a Democratic family - old left, new left, and union) has tried to play to the middle and have become Republican Lite. We need a real health care program. We need to really address the issue of poverty and race in America. We need to really extend true human and civil rights to all Americans. We need a real commitment to peace and justice.
There has been wonderful talk of security and defense for America. That, though, implies that there is real security - educational security, work opportunities, health care - for all Americans. I don't mind high taxes. In fact, I welcome them. But I want something for them. I would rather pay 40% of my income for a solid educational system, for real benefits for military, for true aid to the poor and marginalized, than the 30% I now to pay to subsidize Halliburton, Bechtel et al.
For 38 years I have been a Democrat. Now I have to tell you. Earn my vote. Don't assume it. Oh, hope to see you ( or someone who speaks for you )in Washington tomorrow. Got to run. I have to pick up the people I am bringing down there. Keep hitting and hitting hard. One last point: at my age, I should not have to be going to Washington to protest the actions of the administration.

regards,

TomG

[Wordie]

7. Excellent statement, Tom. eom

[hogwyld]

8. !!!

Tom, you ROCK!

[newswolf56]

15. Kick! If we really wanna take back the Party, let's respond...

to Howard Dean's questionnaire.