What should be the Democrats strategy going forward from today?

[kentuck]

Taking into consideration that the Republicans are a bit distrustful of the President since the dressing down of their new political star, Mr Ryan. Also, there is some leftover anger with the Republicans.

The debt limit vote is coming up soon. The rumor is that Wall Street has more or less told the GOP not to mess with the markets and the debt limit. The Democrats should negotiate with this premise in mind.

Should the Democrats unite behind the message the President put forth on Wednesday when he said that we would protect Medicare and there would be no taxcuts for the wealthy?

With the understanding that the Ryan Bill is dead on arrival when it arrives in the Senate for a vote or DOA if it were to make it to the President's desk, how should the Democrats negotiate with the Republicans, if at all?

If there are no negotiations at all, then we will need to accept that the status quo is better than anything that might be passed by negotiating.

The President has a different role to play than the Democrats in the House and the Senate. He has to say he is willing to work out a compromise, whether he is or not. That is the protocol of his position as President.

To the more brilliant DUers, what do you think should be the strategy of the Democrats going forward?

.

[gateley]

1. Can we respond even if we're among the more UN-brilliant DUers? nt

[kentuck]

2. No.

We assume if you respond, you are one of the more brilliant DUers. :-)

[livetohike]

3. I'm not brilliant, but I'll comment anyway

:-). I think the Democrats should hammer away in the most personal terms how this GOP plan will affect people. Grandma sleeping in your den and needing 24/7 nursing care because there will be no more help available from the federal government, is a good place to start.

All of our best Democratic spokespersons should be out there criticizing the Ryan plan and making it personal from now until the 2012 elections.

[kentuck]

4. Don't be modest.

That is brilliant! :-)

[livetohike]

8. Thanks kentuck

The tide is changing on the teabaggers and the GOP - we just need more loud voices out there keeping it simple.

[kentuck]

10. I think they over-estimated their position...

and now their vote belongs to their entire Party. I do not expect too many Repub Senators to oppose the Ryan plan. Democrats need to learn repetition when it favors them the way this vote does.

[gateley]

5. I think they played this right by the concise messaging

"kill Medicare as we know it" and need to continue taking that FEAR approach. That sounds horrible, but if the Republicans DO get their way, the American people will have a lot to fear!

It has to hit home and be easily understood and absorbed, and repeated endlessly. Message in sound bites that give clarity, and make sure that every Dem has the same script.

In other words, do what they do. And Obama needs to kick ass some more (personal preference).

gateley
Proud Member of DENSA
The DU Genius Club. :7

[livetohike]

6. DENSA - Love it!

:hi:

[kentuck]

7. I agree with that point....

"Kill Medicare as we know it."

And don't let the Repubs lie their way out of it. Say it over and over and over...

[gateley]

9. Rec, by the way. I'd like to hear what others suggest. What would

you advise, kpete?

And totally agree with the protocol requirements of the POTUS. It's all PR.

[Terra Alta]

11. We need to remind people that Repukes like Ryan

really are the enemy of the average American. Hammer the fact that they want to end Medicare as we know it, into their brains. Remind them Repukes want to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, which most Americans oppose. We need to start fighting back against the Repukes, instead of rolling over and letting them run us over.

[gateley]

12. I want them to present a graphic SHOWING how much debt

could be retired if we let the Bush tax cuts expire. "A trillion dollars over 10 years" doesn't sink in as strongly as a chart showing the amount in black and white (or red!)

[northoftheborder]

13. Agree with the general thoughts so far. I do think we>>

need to get the debt limit out of the way, it should be straight up and down, no riders, no negotiations, just that. Then, continue the fight on the 2012 budget with a simple message; Ryan gave the Democrats a great gift; take advantage of it.

[kentuck]

15. That might be a good idea...

sort of low-key - not too critical - until the debt limit vote is out of the way. Then hit them hard about how they want to extend the Bush taxcuts, and cut them even further, and how they want to do away with Medicare as we know it. Explain in detail the impact it would have on parents in nursing homes, older folks with pre-existing conditions, and what they will be able to buy with their government voucher and what they won't be able to buy...

[Angry Dragon]

14. ATTACK!! ATTACK!! ATTACK

The Regressive Party hates it when they are questioned on their bullshit. Make them come with facts and links. Got to keep pushing them and not let them dictate the agenda. Make them prove what they are saying. Much like they did with 'I Lie' kyl