Reply #15: a couple of quick and powerful items [View All]

[Vikingking66]

-Make election day a national holiday by presidential decree. This well help the Democrats solidify their majority, by boosting constituencies which are Democratic by ideology but whose turnout tends to be rather weak due to economic and other restrains. African-Americans, Latinos, and non-unionized working class Americans tend to vote Democratic in large numbers, but they don't vote as often as the more affluent, more white, more organized sections of the Democratic coalition.

-issue a presidential decree declassifying the records of the Bush administration, especially those relating to casualty figures during the war, the minutes of the Cheney energy meetings, the Weapons of Mass Destruction claims during the State of the Union and the resolution vote, and the Wilson leak. If we can really tar the outgoing administration by focusing the media's attention on the uncovered evildoings of the Bush Admin, we can tarnish the Republican party and make a good foundation for the midterms.

-establish good and open links with the press. Re-instate the Reno standards for freedom of information requests, establish weekly presidential press conferences, as well as more informal off the record sitdown sessions for the major players. "Subsidize" the internet media, especially the bloggers, by offering them press credentials, advance notice of scoops, plenty of juicy interviews.
At the same time, hold Sunday night message meetings encompassing not just the White House staff, but also the Defense, State, Justice, etc. staffs so that our openness doesn't result in a Clintonesqie fiasco.
Emphasize Tit-For-Tat with individual members of the press - legitimate policy criticism is tolerated, but not unwarranted personal smears.

-Hand over political and economic administration of Iraq to the United Nations in return for troops and money, which should cover for the U.S withdrawal. Political and economic independence to follow as soon as possible, preferably within 3 months. U.N troops - primarily from Muslim countries - to remain until the Iraqi army can prevent a Baathist return to power. The President to make a public trip to Mecca or Medina to pray in the mosque and issue a speech translated into Arabic deploring the Bush administration's hostility toward Islam.