Formula for a Democratic Miracle...the lead story today...

[whistle]

...December 14, 2004 By Ron Bilancia

Ron recently saw the movie "Miracle", about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's stunning defeat of the then-Soviet national team as he remembered as a thirteen-year-old eighth grader. He suggests that this larger-than-life event in sports history can provide answers to many of the questions surrounding what the Democratic Party must do to again become the majority national party. To summarize Ron gives details under each of the following broad headings:

1. GET THE RIGHT HEAD COACH

2. FOCUS

3. UNITE

4. GET CREATIVE

5. OUTWORK THE OPPONENT

6. MAKE IT ABOUT SOMETHING BIGGER

7. WE MUST GO ON THE OFFENSIVE AND STAY THERE

I liked what Ron had to say and how he explained this overall. However, aren't all of these requirements for what an effective leader is supposed to represent and bring to a party? No one man or woman can carry the load for this over the next four years. Ron is right on the money in that the party must begin implementing these steps now, immediately if possible, but before George Bush is inaugurated next month and start rebuilding the democratic party into a force that must be reckoned with by the beginning of campaigning for the 2006 mid-term election. Who rises to take this party as head coach (not necessarily an athletic type either) will define the party's direction and survival, IMHO. Thanks again Ron.

[Nay]

1. This was a good essay. First of all, it does not expect the PLAYERS

to fix the whole hockey team/game structure/hockey culture from the bottom up. Essentially, it called for a creative leader who, amazingly, would LEAD. This is the first thing the dems need -- a more-than-competent leader. And we haven't got that yet, so all the rest is just going to have to wait until that essential part is taken care of.

My refrain: do not expect Joe Dem to go into the streets by the tens of thousands, ready to lose his job and maybe his life, if there are no decent leaders willing to do the very same.

[patricia92243]

2. Howard Dean

[whistle]

3. Dean is a good choice as long as he doesn't sulk in public

[mandyky]

4. Howard Dean doesn't sulk!

WTF!