I don't know why democrats don't have more confidence in their message. I can understand why democrats have felt pressure to concede to republican frames in the past. Working within those frames to get their message across may have been the only choice at one time; but not now... not now that republicans have proven themselves corrupt and incompetent... not now that republicans are scrambling to redefine their party. This is the perfect opportunity for democrats to stand firm in their beliefs and show us the clear path they offer in contrast with the disastrous one we've been on.
I'm not an expert on anything. I hold no degree and specialize in nothing; but I do have one strong ability that I'm grateful my mother gave to me. My mom nurtured a sense of empathy in me. I've always been able to put myself in the place of others, who are nothing like me, and
feel like I have an idea what it must be like to be them. She used to tell me that she was surprised by it when I was young; but I don't know why. She was the most compassionate, unselfish soul I have ever known. Why was it so surprising to see a little of that wear off on her child?
The best example I can remember of my mother's compassion is the time she spent a couple months, making calls, standing in lines, filling out paperwork and tutoring an older woman she met in a grocery store check-out line. This woman was a stranger to her; but while standing in that line, she found out that the woman was about to be homeless. My mother could tell that she had some physical disabilities and mental challenges as well. The woman told her she lost her job and because she couldn't find work, she was unable to pay her rent. Apparently, she had recently lost her only family member too. Not only did my mom help this woman get back on her feet again; but all the while, she had to deal with my father who felt that my mom allowed people to take advantage of her and was more than just a little annoyed that she was going out of her way to help this woman. I remember my mom telling him that if she didn't help her, no one would. His response was cold... something like, 'that's not your problem'.
This is how I see the difference between the democratic party and republican party. My mom, the compassionate human being, who believed that there is no such thing as an innocent bystander, was a democrat. She could no more stand silently by and watch a cold blooded murder than she could watch this woman be condemned to the streets. My father, who believed it was not her problem and that she should feel no sense of responsibility for the fate of another human soul in need, was a republican. I realize that my parents are extreme examples; but it's really not that far off from reality... at least not right now. To be fair, I know there are many republicans who are disgusted with their party right now too.
Why don't democrats, who have a history of standing up for those who can't stand for themselves, stand for their party and lead this country confidently and with determination rather than allow republicans to frame every debate their way? Democratic leaders can nurture a sense of empathy in people, like my mom did in me, if they would just lead. How can democrats stand for those in need if they won't stand? Leadership and framing is very important. Democrats are in a much better position to do it too. Republicans have been demoralized; but you'd think it was the other way around.
How did republicans pull in the "values voters"? Framing
How did republicans convince us that it is unpatriotic to bring our troops home now? Framing
How did republicans turn Kerry, the war hero, into some kind of swiftboat traitor? Framing
I'm not going to pretend that I don't support any particular democratic candidate. I strongly support John Edwards because I know he is the only presidential candidate who is willing and able to fight this fight and make no mistake, this IS a fight. There is nothing left to be compromised. The idea that democrats need to reach across the isle to achieve some kind of unity is ridiculous to me.
When John Edwards refused to do a debate on Fox, he refused to accept their frames. He made his own frame... Fox is propaganda. It's not a valid news network. There ya go. That's what we need. We need a whole lot more of that. Otherwise, you could have god himself running as a democrat against any republican and they will find a way to swiftboat him too. Democrats need to break republican frames and make them play on OUR field or all their good intentions will be fruitless.
It's not enough to be right. You have to be able to sell your ideas as "right" and even though republicans have hit bottom, they are still better able to do that. It's pathetic actually. It really is. I know there are some democrats who think that the answer to the republicans' claim, 'democrats are soft on terror', requires that they play along and try to look 'tough'; but I think they are dead wrong. Democrats should be framing this debate. As Edwards says, The War on Terror is a bumper sticker slogan. Terrorists aren't nations. Democrats need to expose this lie. They need to show that we have another enemy too... corporate power is out of control and nothing can be achieved until this is addressed. People intuitively know this already. It's not going to be a hard sell; but if democrats spend all their time trying to look "tough on terror", the debate is about terror.
OK I'm just ranting:-) I just want to make the point that democrats are right. They have the solutions to the problems we are facing and they need to confidently make their case now. They need to stop allowing republicans to lead by adopting republican frames and playing on their
field otherwise, they stand a very good chance of becoming insignificant. If they can't do this now, when will they be able to do it? The time is now. As NIKE says, just do it:-) Jump out on a limb and stand by your ideals democrats.