While were are still caught up in who is going to gain the Democratic nomination, I think it's near time to start planning for June, when the general begins. This is particularly important, as John McCain, if nobody has noticed, has basically started campaigning for November; planning to spend valuable time in our favorite "battleground" state, Florida.
Assuming the Democratic candidate is Barack Obama, and this should be a rather safe assumption - the MSM be damned; work will have to begin quickly, as John McCain has will have a touchdown lead to start the game (having 2 months to campaign wherever he sees fit). And while this election SHOULD be different than 2000 and 2004, Democrats need to really begin hammering home practical, meaningful talking points to get the focus off of national security. McCain, Leiberman, etc. continue to talk of these vague "threats," but the real threat is continuing a war that is beginning to have a terrible effect at home.
1. Link the war to our floundering economy - This seems easy, but RW talking heads will do their best to use fear to stifle this argument. But make no mistake about it, the war is taking a toll on our economy; and is hindering our ability to discuss and ultimately pass meaningful legislation with regard to health care, education, alternative energy, etc.
2. Address economic issue in a point by point manner - Discuss practical, long term solutions addressing concerns about gas prices, home foreclosures, health care costs; while also addressing how this will help in the short term. Barack, in the Audacity of Hope, speaks of creating new jobs in new industries ("green" jobs), while also discussing the importance of enacting legislation that would keep jobs on our shores (penalites to companies who move their operations abroad). People like to talk about courting the "blue collar" workers; well, there is no better way to do so than coming up with real solutions to address their situations. Speak truth to the fact that many such workers, who may be moderate republicans, are actually voting AGAINST their economic interests when voting republican - and provice concerete, practical examples of how this is so.
3. Strive to be THE PARTY for small business owners - Traditionally, Republican's have somehow claimed to be the party of small business; which seemingly makes little sense, seeing that most sb owners are not among the rich. Further, small business owners (myself included) have an inherent struggle with health care, as it is extraordinarily expensive for us to get decent coverage; with some completely unable to be insured due to chronic conditions (unlike those working for companies that provide coverage, insurance for sb owners can be 5 times more expensive). National health insurance, if properly campaigned upon, could become the deciding factor for small business owners in casting their vote. I could, and will in the future dedicate an entire diary to how Dem's could and should begin to identify themelves as the party of small business owners, but will provide just a few more examples. In addition to healthcare, sb owners pay an extra 3.5% tax for social security, which is a lot for those just beginning (and as many as 75% of small businesses fail within five years). I won't get into how lifting up small businesses can be a primary means of bringing some equality (and sense community) back to society; but possibly abolishing the self-employment tax for the first 5 years of a business (or until some financial threshold is passed) would be a wonderful incentive for individual business owners; and would signficcantly improve the success ratio of fledgling small businesses. This is direct contrast to the Republican ideal of pandering to BIG business, offering them incentives, despite their lack of need for such. Thus, to combat the increasing societal wedge between corporate America, CEO's, and the rich; Democrats can truly empower willing individuals to go out on their own, and provide them the tools to do such. It really is a shame that we simply let Republicans make the assumption that they are the party of small business.
Just thought I'd offer an alternative to the tired talking points of the day (and yesterday, and the day before, etc., etc., etc.).; and begin to look forward with hope for change.