What Democrats are doing Wrong at this Convention

[erpowers]

I believe that Democrats should have more politicans from the South speaking in prime time. I know that many in the Democratic party have given up on the South, but in this election they should try hard to win certain Southern states. Having people like Chris John, Mary Landrieu, or Kathleen Blanco speaking at the convention might help the Democratic Party. I just came from Chris John's website and he mentioned how many in Louisiana are getting less than $100 from the Bush tax cut. He claims that by 2006 nine in ten people from Louisiana will be getting less than $100 from the Bush tax cut. In addition, mentions the rise in college tution. I think people from the South realize what is happening to them, but it might help the Democrats get more Southern votes if more Southern politicans were allowed to speak in prime in order to tell Southerners how bad Bush's policies hurt them.

[kwolf68]

1. Tomorrow

We get Graham (FLA) and Edwards (NC). Mark Warner (VA) was rolled out yesterday.

Who else is there worth a shit? Zell? Hollings is done...good man, but he's history.

I don't see anyone else in the South that deserves to be on this stage other than who I just listed. THis is NOT counting the folks no longer in office (Cleland).

[Longhorn]

2. I'd sure love to see Ann Richards again!

Is she on the list?

[Bjornsdotter]

6. Yes, she'll be there n/t

[Zomby Woof]

3. last night we had Gore, Carter, and Clinton

Plus, the veteran who served with Kerry from the south, and tomorrow, EDWARDS.

I think your post is just an attempt to stir the pot, and I am a south-defender on DU.

[erpowers]

9. Not Trying to Stir the Pot

I would like you to explain what mean by your comment on my trying to stir the pot. I am not tring to stir the pot I just think it would be good to get some more Southern politicians who are currently in office to speak at the convention.

[Shakespeare]

20. Such as.....?

Zomby already listed the southerners who've spoken already. The speaker list has been at least half if not better than half southern.

And tonight we have the Edwards speeches.

I'm a southerner, and I'd really like to know what more you could possibly want. Zell Miller? Yeah.

[shoopnyc123]

4. Clinton, Gore, Carter, Edwards

I think that's good!

[Eric J in MN]

5. That's a good point. I saw an article implying that

Kerry isn't trying in Louisiana.

If they raised about $200 million, I don't see why they can't try there.

Also, I'm in Minnesota, and Kerry seems to be taking Minnesota for granted while Bush and Cheney are repeatedly visiting here.

[Liberal Christian]

7. Kerry was just in Cloquet over the 4th of July

He was doing that America's Heartland tour where he also stopped in Bloomer and Holmen, Wisconsin.

I think he was in Minneapolis not too long ago, as well.

[ronabop]

8. Get parts that mean something.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

Work can be done in AR, VA, NC, SC. FL.

No reason to waste money. Basically, the bulk of the south is not in play. It simply won't be, unless * is discovered to be black, gay, and an athiest.

-Bop

[TahitiNut]

10. Each time I see this kind of criticism/suggestion ...

... I'm inclined to view it as an indication of belief in "southern bigotry." After Clinton, Gore, and Carter have already had prominent speaking roles (and Graham tomorrow) and Edwards is the Vice Presidential (presumptive) nominee, that's not good enough?

Is it a matter of people from the south being so regionally bigoted that they can't support people from the Northeast, Midwest, West, or Southwest?

I thought it was the GOP that pandered to bigotry, but I guess its both, huh?

:eyes:

[erpowers]

11. It's Not Bigotry

The South has six speakers out of a four day convention. It would not hurt the Democratic Party to have one or two more Southern speakers, who are popular in the South, to speak about Southern issues and why the South should vote for a Democrat. If the majority of the speakers were from the South people in other regions would be complaining also. Southerners do not have a problem listening to anyone from other regions. I just think some Southerners would be more willing to vote for Kerry if Southerners other than Clinton and Gore spoke for him. Many Southerners have backed away from the Democratic Party because they feel the Democratic Party does not care for or about them. I just think we can get some of those people back.

[TahitiNut]

12. It sure sounds like you're describing Southerners as bigoted and ...

... provincial. Isn't healthcare a "Southern issue"? Isn't unemployment a "Southern issue"? Isn't an illegal war a "Southern issue"? Isn't killing and death a "Southern issue"? Isn't the environment a "Southern issue"? Isn't education a "Southern issue"? (On that one, I'll desist from making a cheap shot.)

It sure seems to me that two former Presidents, a Vice President, several Senators, and others is more than adequate.

Let's see ... Kerry/Edwards, Gore/Lieberman, Clinton/Gore, Dukakis/Bentsen, Muskie/Ferraro, Carter/Mondale. Show me a region more represented than the South.

[lukasahero]

15. Sorry but

On Monday night alone we had 8:
Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta, GA
Marks, Mayor of Tallahassee, FL
Meek, Rep, FL
Gore, TN
Carter, GA
Rev. Alston, SC
the Clintons, AR

Looks like more than 6 for the night never mind the whole convention. Three more from the "deep south" (I'm not counting VA, WV, TX or anything that might be considered "west" or "middle") speak tonight. This doesn't include Graham, Clark, Edwards, Clyburn, or Cleland who have yet to speak. There are other states in these UNITED States of America who also deserve to have their voices heard.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

14. Thanks for reminding everyone of the facts of the matter.

[Walt Starr]

13. I think you shouldhave a wedgy

Please don't drive a wedge between the South and this convention. Three speakers on night one were from the South! Two of those were former presidents and the other is the rightful president!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

21. Walt

I just want to say I appreciate your work here. I crack up everytime I see your wedgie graphic. I didn't get it the first time, but now I do.

Thank you from the bottom of my Democratic heart.

NO ONE IS GOING TO DRIVE WEDGES IN US THIS YEAR!!!!

[tkmorris]

26. LOL@Walt

Being kind of...*ahem* LIBERAL with the wedgies today aren't we?

:D

[LWolf]

34. Applause!

And now, for a word on what we're doing right:

Gore
Carter
Hillary Clinton
Bill Clinton
Kennedy
TH Kerry
Obama

And more to come.

[bluedog]

16. as much as we each

have our favorite speakers and leaders....its not feasible to have all speak........the GOP are saying the convention is lackluster...and boring.........Ask them what bushs convention will be.as we all have seen and heard his bullshit for 31/2 years.......dry..repetive...terror..war........fear.fear...fear....

[gratuitous]

17. And they're missing the Pacific Northwest!

Where are the speakers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho? By golly, if they're not at least as heavily represented as the South, then I'm voting for someone else, because I'm not smart enough or big enough to understand things.

Pander to ME! Pander to ME! Pander to ME, or else.

Golly, where are the grown ups?

[TahitiNut]

29. I wonder which region of the country ...

... has the highest percentage of adults who've never lived outside their region. Strange.

My "southern" (half-)sister (born and raised in Alabama) felt like an outsider when she lived in Missouri. She feels more "at home" in Atlanta, now. :shrug:

[depakid]

30. Interesting that you'd say that-

whenever I go to the South (where all of my family lives) I feel like I'm in actually in a different country....

It is a very insular region- and it seems to me that they do indeed have a need for some special consideration, even when their concerns are all of our concerns.

[Ravenseye]

18. Get Landrieu in there!

I mean, Louisiana could come into play! Get her in there. Not to mention she's the best lookin' governor I've ever seen ;)

[bossfish]

25. Isn't Landrieu a US Senator?

[Ravenseye]

27. My Bad

I was typing on autopilot. Just dreaming of being represented by such a hottie.

I mean Santorum does dress well but...

[napi21]

19. Most areas of the Country have had speakers. Not all prime time.

There's only so many minutes in prime time. I suspect anyone, no matter where they live, who is interested will watch c-span who shows the entire convention. Those who aren't interested won't bother watching the little bit that is on prime time, let alone more than that.

I hate to say it, but the only way to get through to dis-interested or non-dem voters is via tv ads on popular shows. Even then, you have to hope they don't just clock to something else to skip the commercial.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

22. Hey I have an idea you'd like!

You want southern? How about having my senators speak? Their names are John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

Oh yeah.......nevermind!

:eyes:

[TEXASYANKEE]

32. No!!!!

I say "No and Hell NO!!!" to Kay "Oil Whore" Baily and John "Box Turtle" Cornyn. Good lord!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

35. I was being sarcastic

they aren't even Dems. Hell they aren't even Republicans. They are something far more vile and evil.

I wanted to point out there aren't just a hell of a lot of southern Dems currently in office to use at the convention!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

23. How about John Lewis, Julian Bond, Cynthia McKinney?

They're all southerners.

[greekspeak]

24. You can pander til you're blue in the face, but in the end what good is it

Clearly there have been democrats speaking from all over the south. Big timers, and little guys, like my own city's mayor Marks. What do you expect the convention planners to do? Say, "sorry you are from above the Mason-Dixon line, so sorry?" Where is the outrage of not having a gob of speakers from states like Alaska, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming?

In the end, I think the south, even this time round, is going to be a lost cause. HOWEVER, let me qualify this. There are a lot of people in the south right now, who are hurting more than they ever have or at least have in a long time. I do not think Kerry-Edwards will do any worse down here than Gore-Liebermann did. In fact, I think the popular vote will be a bit higher in all the southern states, and they might pick up a few extra electoral votes down here too. You never know. This year, the tide might start turning a little more leftward down here and drift that way for a while in the next few election cycles. Eventually, dems might capture a respectable number of southerners again. But pandering to the south is about as effective as ignoring the south.

[AP]

28. Ark., NC., Ill., and Mass. are well-represented.

[democratreformed]

31. No more North-South stuff please

I believe the issues being discussed are ones that affect ALL Americans - not those from any particular area. I think they are doing a wonderful job.

[dumpster_baby]

33. They are doing what they always do: Being the GOP-Lite

I tell ya, although I think Bush is our worst president ever in my life, and even though corporate power has co-opted the American mindset through decades of propaganda and cultural class warfare, even though the USA has failed to advance like the social democracies of Europe, with their plush welfare states, and even though our job base is deteriorating, even with all these Bad Things that are happening, I aint gonna really mind all that much if Bush wins.

Because I can see that a lot of wealthy and well-read progressives are starting to fund their own political network, as shown in the latest NY Times magazine. These people are starting a progressive movement, and it is independent of the Democrats. So, what good are the Democrats? Nothing but GOP lite for the most part....and if Bush wins, it will really light a fire under these wealthy progressives.

[ncteechur]

36. You are absolutely correct. We cannot simply...

offer more of the same just better. We have to make crystal clear distinctions between what we are doing now and what Kerry-Edwards will do. GOP lite is right. If given the choice of Bush's policies for four more years and Kerry-Edwards policies for the next four year which sound mostly like Bush but with a bit more global appeal, people will not vote for Kerry-Edwards. Saying we need a change is not enough.. A change to what?

Our message must be a better and distinct alternative. If not that, then very specific items and ways to get there.

A real timetable for bringing soldiers home.
A real timetable and plan to brining other countries into Iraq.
Tough talk to Iran and N. Korea, etc. Take em on right now!!

In short, steal the presidency away. Kerry should convince the electorate that he is already president. Be seen as presidential right now.

Talk about immediate things he will do like military pay raises and benefits, college tuition loans and grants, raising the minimum wage,
taking corporations to task for crapping on their employees (Like Wal-Mart).

Be tough right now-be the president right now. Pin Bush in because is is the president and in many ways he cannot do some things.
Get it done--no GOP lite. Be different be bold be the man!!!