Like a lot of others in the blogosphere, I’m still reeling from the election results on Tuesday. I had a couple of very heated exchanges with co-workers, in addition to some quite constructive conversations about the real issues facing this country. I’m also trying to get some distance from the returns before I say too much about what I believe the next steps should be.
First, let me say that I do not consider myself to be aligned with the Democrats, and that is a problem. There are many, many people who voted for John Kerry and many people who supported President Bush who would be natural constituencies that should be groomed. The time has come to crush the Democratic Party as we know it, either by building a a new party on the ruins or by reconstructing the Democratic Party on a basis of values. Not the “moral values” we are hearing so much about, but the values that have made this country what it is today and what it will be tomorrow, liberty and freedom, respect, caring, strength and shared sacrifice. The Democratic Party has lost its way in expressing these values. It is not the role of government to legislate morality, the government and the courts do not define the morals of our citizens. The sooner we can overcome that perception and move forward, the better it will be for all Americans.
I have heard and read many good thoughts from thoughtful Democrats and independents over the last two days that need to be placed in the pot for consideration. Robert Reich had a good commentary on the NPR show Marketplace yesterday regarding where he believes the Democratic Party should draw its strength. Everyone’s ideas should be on the table, but an agenda must be set based on a core set of values, otherwise the Democratic Party will go the way of the Whigs.
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I asked before, but it seems more relevant now.
What happened to the conservative state-rights wing of the Democrats?
It seems the best thing the Dems could do is to get the social issues out of the Federal Govenrment. Keep Commerce and Foreign Policy in DC and Devolve EVERYTHING else to the States. Then how does the GOP win without the “values” issue which almost 20 million of Bush’s voters said was their top issue?
P.S. You may enjoy speculating with me on 2008… http://www.Primary2008.com
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The Democratic Party is not going to all of a sudden adopt a states rights position. We’re talking about a reassessment, but let’s not forget that Kerry got four million more votes than Al Gore did. We had a huge turn out on the Democratic side as well, it just wasn’t enough. So let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater on that one.
As for 2008, as former Hoosier who grew up in the era of Evan Bayh as Governor, I support him 100% and will campaign for him from now until the primaries are over. He is exactly the kind of centrist politician this country needs.
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Alright Kristopher,
What of talk we now are hearing about going farther left?
As for the baby and the bathwater, kudos for the turnout to everyone involved, but should we parse up the motivation to get to the polls by: 1.)divisive arguments 2.)perceived importance of the election and 3.)excellent register-to-vote drives?
And finally, isn’t Bayh somewhat out of favor with leadership for his centrism?
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The talk is just talk. That is the gut reaction of many Democrats when they lose. I hope it is only talk, because that won’t work.
I think you have hit on the three reasons for the motivation to get to the polls. Bayh is out of favor with the leadership. I’m not saying he could get elected, I’m saying if the Democrats want to win he should be the nominee. Remember, I’m not necessarily interested in the future of the Democratic Party, I’m interested in the future of the country.
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Yes Bayh may be out of favor with the Dem establishment, but everyone in the Dem party is rethinking EVERYTHING. Which means Bayh’s centrists stances are going to look huge, and he can talk meaningfully about values and faith.
Therefore, I made him the big mover up to the number 3 most likely to get the nomination at http://www.Primary2008.com
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