One of the conservatives’ greatest strengths is their echo chamber. Conservative politicians, think tanks, talkers, bloggers, and others show tremendous discipline. They stick to their talking points, often simply repeating the party line verbatim. That’s not meant as a criticism — there’s a tremendous value to being able to have their talking points repeated over and over and over. Getting liberals on the same page, on the other hand, is like herding cats.
At least now we’re trying, led by the Center for American Progress:
The vast new left-wing conspiracy sets its tone every morning at 8:45 a.m., when officials from more than 20 labor, environmental and other Democratic-leaning groups dial into a private conference call hosted by two left-leaning Washington organizations.
…
“[CAP President John] Podesta’s and my experience was in the White House during the Clinton years, and we didn’t have a coordinated echo chamber on the outside backing us up,” she said. “There’s a real interest on the progressive side for groups to want to coordinate with each other and leverage each other’s work in a way I haven’t ever seen before.”
Of course, I’ve watched liberals try to figure out politics for far too long to believe we’ve really found the answer. This is just a starting point, and it will be interesting to see if liberal groups actually start finding ways to use the talking points from the 8:45 A.M. call effectively. My money is on “no,” but maybe we’ve finally learned a few things from watching the conservatives operate.
Matt Entenza’s Minnesota 2020 is a great local example of a group working to offer a positive progressive vision for the state. In fact, I believe it is a local partnered of Center for American Progress.
Well, Entenza is saying he’d like a positive message, but what is it? Can you tell me? If you could, like rattle off three things he’s got a stance on… then he’s learned what he needs to learn to be elected.
BTW, “Playing politics” is a stupid way to describe it. It’s not a game, it’s people’s lives.
Here’s an idea for Matt:
(start) Matt Entenza has been listening to Minnesotans and they’re concerned about keeping their jobs and homes. They want to make sure their kids will have the same Minnesota we’ve had for years — one that values education enough to make sure it’s adequate and accessible. It’s the right time to evaluate state programs to ensure they are effective and efficient, but I will not abandon those that will need help getting back on their feet.
My plan is to help on the main street level. We’ve got to make sure we protect the middle class’ ability to prosper.
My wife has experience in the health care field, and we’ve seen the inside of private health care… (go on from there).
If you have suggestions on how we can move forward together, please don’t hesistate to call or write me. (end)
AND THEN ENTENZA SHOULD ANSWER HIS MAIL and PHONE. Nothing worse than a politician who doesn’t do those two things. Even if someone is sending campaign advice, every one who writes or calls should be heard. PS, We cater to the majority, but we should listen to everyone. Pretty important in today’s economy.
Oh yeah, and the doorknocking is the key. Get out there dem politicians and see what people need help with.
And in my own opinion, the “persuasive” crap that has been talked about for dem doorknocking is out of line and probably works against a vote. No one wants to be persuaded at their door. That’s their private place. Just listen, and leave literature if someone seems interested. Remind them to vote, even if they are identified as republican. It’s about respect.
No doubt the ground gained in the past two election cycles was the result of conservative blunders. I feel there’s been an aura of restraint around liberal politics for a long time, as if to go for the gut, to shamelessly appeal to ethos was underhanded. To unite on messege is of strategic import, of course. The next step, in my own community college-locked mind ,is to go for the gut. Each message must be easy to digest. It must be easily be boiled down into those soundbytes and catchphrases that were unavoidable throughout the Bush presidency (his being the only one I was aware enough of to give a damn). There were so many one-liners like WMDs, No Child Left Behind, etc. Policy is a thing, like any idea,and should be marketed as such…Without false adevertising,I hope.
“Are liberals finally starting to learn how to play politics”
Yes.
I’ve been impressed with the Obama campaign, how many downticket candidates played off Obama, and how the Dems have gotten what they wanted so far this session.
Even though I generally prefer conservative policy, I don’t want it to be implemented because we’re better at being bullies. I want the best ideas to win. If they aren’t mine, I don’t care. I’m not right about everything, but I want a level playing field so ideas beat tactics. I think we’re closer.
During the last election cycle I heard a number of Democrats admiring the political prowess of Karl Rove. That puzzled me. The machinations of Rove miraculously produced an 8 year idiot presidency but they also brought the Republican Party to its knees. Rove’s tactics may have worked but his strategy failed.
To achieve his strategic goal of a permanent Republican majority, Rove used unsustainable tactics. Among them were the often repeated lie (using the echo chamber that the article spoke of), and the extreme polarization of the electorate which disillusioned and drove away moderates with the intent of decreasing the total number of voters and making elections more predictable and therefore more controllable.
Democrats may yearn to achieve a permanent Democratic majority, but they should avoid adopting the tactics of Rove. If we are going to repeat anything often, it should be the truth. If we want to appeal to the largest number of voters we should appeal to the moderates and bring them back into the fold before our opponents do. To accomplish these things, we must abandon our preoccupation with special interest politics. It divides us at the same time it unites us and it makes us vulnerable. We should champion human rights; these are universal and ultimately unassailable.
I welcome this discussion. I am glad that Jeff brings it up. It is the key to making progress in addressing the real and pressing issues that are facing all of us.