Democrats should appeal to all Americans and not just Democrats...

[kentuck]

..in their battles with these neo-con radicals, led by George Bush and Karl Rove. Take from them what the weapon they cherish the most - partisan division. Speak to all Americans, Democrats and Republicans and Independents. Appeal to their common sense and love of country. Advise them to not be caught up in partisan propaganda, no matter which Party they belong to. Let them know what the present "so-called" conservatives are doing to our country - with their unsustainable debt, with their cuts in programs for veterans and average Americans, with their cuts in farm programs, with their lies to get us into wars, with their giveaways to the rich, with their divisive partisan politics that they use to keep people divided as Democrats or Republicans, rather than trying to unite us as Americans, is deeply hurting our nation, and appeal to their patriotism.

[Adelante]

1. Yes! Yes!

And this is the ONLY way we win in 2006 and 2008.

[murielkane]

2. But the Dems can't do it by selling out on the Repubs issues

I'm sure you know this, but it can't be emphasized too often.

"Appealing to all Americans" does not mean weaseling on social issues. It means speaking honestly about what is going on in this country in such a way that people of any party who hear you respond with, "Yes, that's what I believe, too." It means finding the *real* issues that impact people's lives and deprive them of hope for the future -- and then offering a better vision.

When a political system is in balance, both parties can work together to get things accomplished. And the adherents of either side are willing to consider voting for a candidate from the other party who is clearly outstanding, or when their own candidate is corrupt or a tired old hack.

Our system is out of balance now, with the Republicans trying to destroy the Democrats outright. We can't play that game. We have to seek a new consensus -- a set of ideals and goals that all Americans can believe in, with the party differences reduced to details (public or private? fast or slow?) that reasonable people might differ over.

[Michael_Bush]

3. I agree and we can best do that by understanding what they believe

Leaders unite people by convincing them to support a common vision. Some visions are negative, some like JFK's, were positive. But that in order to convince people you have to either appeal to things they already believe which is an easier task, or convince them to believe something new, which is a much harder task.

Being right doesn't always help. Think about Carter's energy plan, we would be in a vastly better world today if we had followed it but the American people didn't buy it. Yes, the Republicans smeared it but if that is our excuse every time, then we should give up because the Republicans are not going to stop trying to smear things. Clinton failed in some things but still managed to cut through some of the Republican smear and did so with a Republican congress so it CAN be done.

We need to present a message and a goal that unites Americans behind the core beliefs of Democrats. Some of those messages are an easy sell, some are not. People do NOT like to make hard choices but there ARE hard choices ahead. We need someone who can appeal to America's love of hard work and self sacrifice, our desire for a better world. Despite what many here think, there are many on the right who believe in those things, that those are AMERICAN values and that the Democrats can make not only America safer but the entire WORLD a safer and better place not only for our children but all the children of the world.

[kentuck]

4. Americans like a Party that keeps its nose out of our personal lives...

Americans are uneasy with laws such as the Patriot Act. Americans do not agree with this criminal debt that is being run by this bunch of radicals. Americans believe in fighting and dying for our country but they do not believe in fighting and dying for lies. The majority of Americans do not disagree with slightly higher taxes if they see something for their taxes. At the moment, they see nothing but cuts in programs that are there to help them and their neighbors. They like to hear honest talk from honest politicians. They are just waiting to hear someone say it. That is all the Democrats need to do.