It was always about the messenger, not the message

[question everything]

We used a lot of cyber width here to know that most Americans do support the Democratic agenda; they just do not know that.

And many of us lamented the dumbing down of the American mind, that would be open to the "Me Tarzan, you Jane" style of speech.

Karl Rove and company got us unsnarled in peripheral issues: Janet Jackson and Whoopi Goldberg, gay marriage and abortion and even Michael Moore. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that these issues should not be on the Democratic platform; but they should not be the core of where we stand. At least, not on their own but rather as part of individual rights. And where we stand has always been the dignity and security of jobs, education, health care and retirement. And we failed to convey this message to the voters. We failed to convey the message that while we believe in personal responsibility and accountability, that each should make effort to secure these, it is the "invisible hand" (to borrow from Adam Smith) that assures that we are not being exploited by crooked organizations and that, when all else fail, the safety net will be there. Strong and taut.

I was thinking about this when I came on the end of the CNN interview with the new chair of the RNC. And he used a very simple language. He said that young voters support the social security reform because they are concerned about their secure retirement. That was it. Now, we know that most voters do not bother to dig deeper to find out whether such a promise holds water. And by the time they will realize they were duped and will want - of course - the government to help them, it will be too late.

But I was thinking of Clinton "it's the economy stupid." I was thinking of the many posts here that many suggested for a catchy phrase like that for Kerry; I was even thinking of the Kerry campaign that was trying to come with one, too.

And perhaps this is something that we will have to do for 2006 and 2008 election. We will have to follow the field of marketing (as little as I know about it): go to the field, talk to people, listen to their language and then come back and use it to send the message.

No, we do not have to add "faith" and "moral" and "Jesus" to our message. We have to use the language of the "common man" in the street, the language that talks about hopes and aspirations and, yes, the role of government.

We can do it, if we just put our mind and determination to do it.

[babylonsister]

1. Good post, and I agree.

The KISS principle, known through time. Keep.It.Simple.Stupid.

[question everything]

2. Thanks. This is especially important with all the "woulda, shoulda coulda

threads about Kerry was right or wrong candidate and about the pugs were afraid of Clark.

All water under the bridge. We need to learn from our mistakes and move forward. The 2006 elections are less than 22 months away.