What's a Democrat?

News & Politics

Here's a debate that's been raging for a while but which now has a specific and concise question attached to it: "What are your ten words that define the Democratic Party's message?"

So asked Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack in an email, echoed by the National Journal's Hotline.

The debate highlights a built-in problem of the American left: its insistence upon specificity, breadth, complexity, and inclusiveness. In other words: all the things that slogans and marketing are not.

There's no easy solution. It's possible that it's not just the current bumper-sticker wisdom employed by Republicans that's destroying America but bumper-sticker wisdom itself.

Nevertheless we don't live in utopia (thank G-d), we live in the US of A and the opposition party needs to be able to summarize its message succinctly.

Steve Benen writes:


"when the typical voter wants to know what the Republican Party is all about, the GOP has these nine words... low taxes, traditional family values, and a strong military."
"Of course, it doesn't matter whether these ideas are good, fair, or even accurate; it's about whether the Republicans have a coherent idea about guiding principles that they take to voters. They do. Dems are making progress -- admitting you have a problem is always the first step -- but I don't think they're there quite yet. I hope they keep trying."
Bright ideas in comments please... (Political Animal)

--> Sign up for Peek in your inbox... every morning! (Go here and check Peek box).

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

Click to donate by check.

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}
@2022 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.