CNN: For Dems, Opportunity Knocks

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Web Exclusive | Nation
For Dems, Opportunity Knocks
With the President facing his lowest approval ratings, the Dems prepare to roll out plans for 2006
By PERRY BACON
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Posted Monday, Oct. 24, 2005
An investigation that has mystified and captivated Washington for almost two years is scheduled to end this week, with the possibility of indictments of top Bush administration officials. The term for the grand jury investigating the CIA leak case expires on Friday, so Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is expected to bring charges in the next few days.

Speculation has centered on I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the Vice President's chief of staff, and Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser. Republican Senator George Allen of Virginia said on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that he expected administration officials who were indicted would resign, and he thought that would be "appropriate." While nothing will shift attention from an indictment, the White House will move this week toward images that might help Bush's popularity. The President and First Lady Laura Bush will head to Howard University to promote the administration's anti-gang initiative. Bush will speak at a luncheon for the wives of military officers and appear with winners of a national physical fitness award.

With Washington Republicans facing the leak investigation, probes of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist and low poll numbers, next fall's congressional elections could present a major opportunity for Democrats. "The external environment is shaping up to create one of the best Democratic years in a long time," said Democratic pollster Mark Mellman. Since 1962, when a President's approval ratings have dipped below 50%, his party has lost an average of 43 seats in the House of Representatives. Republicans only have a 28-seat advantage in the House and fewer than 40% of Americans currently approve of Bush. Looking to take advantage, Democrats are in the last few weeks of honing their messages and themes for next year's elections, which they will roll out next month. Top Democratic leaders will meet this week with former Clinton White House spokesman Mike McCurry and Jim Gerstein, a Democratic strategist. They'll also appear with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to talk about Democratic strategies for dealing with terrorism.

Looking to redefine how Americans see their party, Democrats have sought advice from a number of marketing experts over the last several months, including Jack Trout, a branding expert who has advised several Fortune 500 companies on how they can "position" themselves better, and John Cullinane, who runs a Boston-based strategy group. Steve Bing, the millionaire movie producer who has given millions to Democratic organizations in the last couple of years (and used to date actress Elizabeth Hurley) is also involved, as well as a number of veteran Democratic hands, such as former Al Gore spokesman Doug Hattaway.

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http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1122081,00.html?cnn=yes

[ClassWarrior]

1. Excellent news. Jack Trout is one of the best.

NGU.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. I hope they don't get...

*too* substantive. Frankly, getting too far into the details of where they are going with their platform and positions could only serve to give the repukadelics something to savage in public, truth or not.

As frustrating as it has been for us, their relative silent running has worked out to this point, and left the Party of Jerkoffs to recycle tired and shopworn phrases in their feeble attempts to attack the Dems.

Witness "Merlot Democrats". How utterly lame is that?

[the_spectator]

3. Except that "Merlot Democrats" has emerged as an insult

because Dean himself used the term.

[txaslftist]

5. Interestingly, I heard a piece on NPR the other day...

...to the effect that single bottles of wine have replaced beer as the number one drink at a number of football tailgating events. I expect soon enough that will be the case at NASCAR events.

Merlot Democrats won't sound so insulting if everyone is drinking merlot. It will be like saying, "Budweiser Democrats" the response, "so?"

[ixion]

4. how about worrying about real issues, rather than marketing...

I think that wouild be a great start.