The left should no longer frame their debate attacking George W Bush.

[Dehumanizer]

Coming from a strategic and political perspective, we should now start transitioning our largely anti-Bush mentality to instead start to put all of our effort into an all-out public attack of the *entire conservative agenda*.

For simplicity's purposes, it made sense pre-election to relentlessly attack Bush. But now that he has been reelected, we gain nothing by a single character assassination when it's clear by our House and Senate count that the most dangerous aspect facing our nation is the spread of the conservative ideology.

I'm not saying we give Bush a free ride these next four years like many of you will probably accuse me of proposing. I'm just saying we should seriously prioritize our strategic goals for the next x amount of years, not just 4. Much of our anti-Bush voice just sounds like noise to your average American, because they already have an opinion on the man.

But if that noise that is now trashing Bush is converted to noise trashing the privatizing of social security, the concept of reckless nation-building, and other policies that we share, the masses will begin to subconsciously favor our agenda years later.

[david_vincent]

1. Yes

It's clear that most Americans are willing to give AWOL a free ride on everything. We have to start talking about his failed policies, and appealing to a sense of fair play when it comes to what we're leaving future generations to clean up for us.

[98geoduck]

2. Dean was probably on to something with "I hate republicans...

and EVERYTHING they stand for"

[Neshanic]

4. Exactly. It is bigger than the monkey. It's the tree he lives in.

[seriousstan]

I disagree, this is Dean's one weakness. Overcome by the moment.

He said this and nobody can convince me he wanted it in the morning news. I haven't heard him repeat it. Why? I think he just let another scream loose. Don't lose the message just the abrasive edge. The harsh messages are alive and kicking without Dean being the hot edge of the blade. Just look around this board. We haven't gone away.

We have seen what happens when the right is solidified with an issue.

Currently it is not the issue of us the DNC outright hating the voting public. I think it is a mistake to make it that.

Dean will make a great leader,,,,,with practice.

[quiet.american]

11. Nodding head in agreement... n/t

[Clarkie1]

13. That's a horrible language and frame to be using.

It attacks voters instead of attacking the ideology. It essentially surrenders the opportunity to reframe an issue and gain support for our causes.

Not good.

[quiet.american]

3. Good point, and further --

-- How about making that "the extremist right-wing" agenda -- in polite company anyway -- "kool-aid drinker whackjob" agenda is my own personal favorite.

[meti57b]

6. yeah, I agree with that one ... "right-wing extremist ideology and agenda"

[meti57b]

5. They don't have a "conservative" agenda, it's a "corporatist" agenda

The conservatives don't like these guys, either.

Otherwise speaking, all of this comes from the bush administration. It would be difficult to attribute it to anyone/anything else.

[amjucsc]

7. Hear, hear

Pelosi and Reid should have used the opportunity to outline what the Democrats will make into their legislative priorities. Relentlessly critiquing W makes us look petty.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Ok.... fair enough; but I think your tilting at windmills....

I'm a little tired of all-Bush-all-the-time, also. On the other hand a lot of people, probably especially younger people, are galvanized to activism on the issues you describe precisely because Bush is the repellent, pathetic excuse of a man that he is.

Most people need to see a face; it helps to have evil personified. For that reason alone , I don't think the Bush-bashing here is such a bad thing.

On the other hand it does get tiresome at times. Not to mention... I don't know... sophmoric

[Donailin]

9. sounds good to me, where do I sign up?

because quite frankly, Bush wouldn't be where he is if it weren't for some really diabolical actors starting with Gingrich. Cheney. Rove. Robertson. etc.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Where has Grover Norquist been lately?

[Clarkie1]

12. I agree! The moron will be gone it 1450 days. Fight the ideology! n/t

[radio4progressives]

14. You're just coming to this conclusion now? Where have you been in the past

25 years?

[OneBlueSky]

15. what we need to do is present an alternative agenda . . .

a comprehensive, progressive, populist agenda that makes sense and that stands in sharp contrast to the bellicose, fiscally irresponsible, bigoted, corporate BushCo agenda . . . an agenda that supports the middle class, helps the poor, rejects pre-emptive wars, protects the environment, regulates corporations, creates good jobs in new industries, restores progressive taxation, promotes international cooperation over conflict, protects civil rights and civil liberties, rejects torture and indefinite detaining of individuals without legal recourse, provides healthcare for all, improves education, develops alternative energy, and provides for REAL domestic security . . . the contrast to what BushCo is doing would be so stark that we wouldn't have to attack anyone . . .

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. What debate?

:shrug:

[Swamp Rat]

17. good point n/t