An Independent perspective: How do Dem's keep the momentum through 08?

[Sturmrabe]

A little back story on this thread, I am a die hard independent, if I state my views I really get people from both sides of the fence spitting mad. To put it in perspective, Teddy and FDR have always been some of my favorite presidents, but I liked Eisenhower too. Never voted for Bush the Younger cause I hate cowards, and the main reason I vote against republicans is church/state separation issues.

But at the same time I prefer to vote against incumbents unless they are spotless and have knocked my socks off, "the devil you know is better than the devil you don't" is one-hundred and eighty degrees opposite of how I think, "better the liar that hasn't been lying to you and is unsure how far he can go, than the one who is complacent that you'll swallow whatever fantastic tales he can create" is more like it.

I also think that anyone who votes down party lines rather than by an individual candidates merits betrays the core of what democracy means (on either side), though I think that in general a "liberal" thinker will more likely vote across party lines because they actually DO think for themselves, and thats what has been the problem for Democrats the last decade and a half. They, unlike their republican counterparts cannot count on a consistent vote from a large base who will reflexively vote for one party. (That being said the only Republican I voted for this last go was a county commissioner :D and I'm in Ohio ;))

Of course it was dependence on, arrogance because, and complacency from that view that caused the corruption and apathy of this centuries politics.

Its my vote and people like me who made this election the victory for the democrats it was, and I don't mean to make that sound conceited or a smart-ass "you're welcome", but a statement of fact. And the attack on separation of church/state, and the attempt to put America behind the times on scientific research do to lip-service morality makes me WANT the Dem's to keep winning. Yeah, I know, thats not very independent of me, but here are my thoughts from the middle;


Here is how I see what the Dem's need to do to keep the momentum, and the moderate/independent votes, into the '08 campaign cycle:

DO NOT F***ING RAISE TAXES!
As much as everyone has been complaining about pork and waste they should be able to fund any social programs they have in mind through cutting spending and oversight of fraud/waste. I cannot stress this enough! If they can cut/balance the budget, get rid of pork, and do it all without an increase of the income tax, they will OWN '08... or if they can at least try and then blame the repubs for blocking them ;)

Increase border security!
But do it in measures, so as not to piss off the hispanic vote but to be able to have a solid record on illegal immigration for the non-hispanic vote. It wasn't as decisive an issue as Iraq, but its defiantly something joe-taxpayer cares about!

Maintain strict ethical oversight of themselves!
Any dem caught with their hand in cookie jar should be ousted by Dem's immediately rather than covered up for and having it be a last-minute bomb dropped by others. So often one party does not learn from the other's mistakes!

Make Good on Alternative Fuels!
If the infrastructure for alternative fuels can get put into place it can really be a boon to the economy, stability, and future innovation of America. Just like any new industry, there will be a lot of up front costs, but supporting Strickland in making Ohio the front runner in alt-fuel, and anyone in any other state that wants to jump on this inevitable train, will only help them in the long run!

Balance the Budget
Blah, nuff said

Keep appealing to the middle!
Some democratic candidates were more conservative then their republican opponents! They need to find a way to maintain party cohesion.
And on that note Howard Dean needs to stay where he is!! And the "beltway insiders" or "Old Democratic Party" needs to stop acting like the old fat white-guy Republicans clinging to power at any cost, and that cost being the American people!

Oversight, oversight, oversight!
There needs to be commissions on corruption, spending, and Iraq related shenanigans! Sure the right is going to spin the Hel out it as finger pointing and whatnot, but it needs to be done, and when the real facts come out about the whitewash thats been done all the Rove-spin doctoring will just be another black eye to the reeling giant that is the Religious Reich.

Last but not least, Iraq
I don't have all the answers, but partitioning looks more appealing, I say give the Kurds all the tanks, planes, bombs and guns they want, normalize -through constant TLC- their relations with Turkey, and make THEM the democratic bastion in the middle east that Iraq was SUPPOSED to be. Another idea that might work for the Dem's is RAISING troop levels in the short term like the ousted generals wanted, step up Iraqi troop training by degrees, and THEN start a phased pull out.

On a related note: Unless the Dem's want to hand the presidency to the reps then need to stay the Hel away from Hillary Clinton, she is too too too far left, and too much of a galvanizing lighting rod.

[rainy]

1. Have Al Gore state that he is running. That will put a fire in our bellies.

I'd fight hard for him. It would be an all out effort. Every progressive and Dem would make this happen. It would spectacular.

[Sturmrabe]

5. While I agree that Gore is a good candidate....

Tipper scares the crap outta me with her censorship/regulation stuff...

As far as Hillary is concerned, I'D vote for a woman, but I sure as Hel know a lot of people won't, including women!

And the more I think about my statement on Iraq, drafts don't work, though compulsory service at 18 does, but that is another story entire. I really think the Dem's could really gain some serious credibility by pushing a troop buildup followed by a timetable.

I've seen how things go for some thread starters around here and was a little nervous (now about harsh responses, but by responses to that harshness getting me banned :p), thanks for the honest input!

[AlinPA]

2. Work on meaningful legislation. Pound on the right-wing intolerant hate party

[EST]

3. I pretty much agree with you on all points, with some exceptions

Hillary Clinton is pure poison, I agree, but not for the same reasons.
I actually like her ('course I like vomit on my shirt, too) but as the senator from New York; I would not vote for her for prez. I was once a registered republican-stemming From Richard Nixon's promises to end the Viet Nam war. Ms. Clinton, to me, is too republican.

Although I feel like a centrist, my opinions seem to fall with democrats. I am against the death penalty, for several reasons but not because it might be a cruel and unusual punishment for a child killer.
I am totally nauseated by the conjoining of religion and politics--I find the starting of congressional sessions with prayer and the current kowtowing to religious hacks to be a direct strike against good government.
I think the simplistic old socialist credo of "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" has a lot of relevance and is something we should see more of.
Hillary is guilty of embracing so much of the republican agenda that she is not suitable as a dem candidate-maybe as a repub.

[Imperialism Inc.]

4. Hillary is far let? You can't be serious.

[Kelly Rupert]

6. Don't get bogged down in impeachment proceedings.

Keep our momentum and capital focused on the points in your excellent post. Recommended.

[Sturmrabe]

7. Well as I see it, impeachment should be an ends not a means...

Impeachment would only be an option after OTHER commissions expose fraud, waste, and nepotism leading to gross mismanagement and *cough*Katrina*cough* death... THEN, after repeated public thrashings of the Bush Regime's credibility, thoughts of impeachment can be entertained.

But entertaining or dismissing at this stage is far to premature.

[Kelly Rupert]

9. I think dismissing it is perfectly acceptable, actually.

We have two years to the next elections. Unless you think we can completely clean up the Congress, Iraq, and Washington in general, as well as secure Social Security and Medicare, as well as raise the minimum wage and expand health care, etc. in two years, I don't really see any reason to waste a single minute with impeachment proceedings and the subsequent all-consuming vicious national debate on the subject.

[benEzra]

8. I'd add, stay the hell out of peoples' gun safes...

and don't let Feinstein et al do to the party today what they did to the party 1994-2004.