When Are We Democrats Going To Learn The Game?!?!

[SeekingTruth]

I do not know if it is arrogance on our part or what, but I'm sick and tired of Democrats losing because of stupid reasons.

For example, how could Kerry have made such an idiotic statement as his famous voting for before voting against the 87 billion dollars.

Don't get me wrong; when his statement is played in full and his reasoning deciphered, it makes sense, but we are in a terrible battle here with a group of people who will do anything to win and can't afford to give away weapons to be used against us.

Next, he whiffs on the "if you knew then, what you know now" Iraq War question. My God, how can anyone blow this question?

And what are the Dems getting beaten up on? Idiotic little phrases and ignorant things ("sensitive"). Why? Because the Republicans have learned how to fight better than us. They understand that much of America does not read and study the issues like those of us who follow politics do.

This leads me to our apparent intellectual arrogance. We project our own thinking on the American people and mistakenly think they will study and figure out the bullshit that the Bush Administration shovels out, just like we do. Americans will not. They are too lazy and too stuck on reality tv bullshit.

Michael Moore was correct in his summation that Americans are lazy and ignorant (and ignorant is not a bad word - stupid is, but ignorant).

When are we going to learn this? While we are following the Queensbury Rules of fighting and making sure we fight clean, the damn Republicans are kicking us right in the nuts, while all we do is proclaim, "Hey, that's not fair" and "Sir, can I have another." I'm sick of it.

Did not Howard Dean show us anything?

[mbali]

1. Hmmm - Dems won the last three presidential elections

Seems like we know the game pretty well already. Of course, there's always room for improvement, but it's just plain inaccurate - not to mention defeatist - to assume that Democrats are a bunch of electoral failures.

[mondo joe]

5. Clinton won by hitting back hard. Gore barely eeked by.

The Clinton campaign struck back hard and fast, and they won.

The Gore campaign didn't and barely eeked by.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. I'd like to hear what you have to say on November 3 --

will it be similar to what you said on January 20?

[seabeyond]

3. bush makes up words and cant put sentence together,

the press and the people leave him alone and you are asking how kerry could be so stupid even though you admit when you listen to kerrys whole comment it makes perfect sense and is right. yet repugs chose to cut and play it in lie, and you blame kerry

[BillZBubb]

4. To many here on DU miss the point.

One of the main reasons the press leaves the Chimperor alone is because we Democrats don't know how to play them. The original post is making the case that the Repugs do know how to play them and are successful.

Until we learn and effectively use their tactics, we are at a huge disadvantage.

Here are four areas (not the only ones, but key ones) where the Democrats need a lot of work:

1) Repetition. Even if the press doesn't immediately pick up on your theme, keep repeating it. Even if it seems almost silly to do so, keep repeating it. Never, ever drop it. Eventually, it seeps in.

2) Focus. Pick the three or four areas that you think give you the best chance to win. Stick to those no matter what. Seque all discussions to these points. Never deviate from these areas.

3) Unity and coordination. No one speaks as a Democrat to the press unless they know and understand the game plan. If they can't support the themes ONE HUNDRED PERCENT and DEFER TO KERRY, they shouldn't be in the discussion.

4) No free passes. No Democrat should give Bush* or Cheney credit FOR ANYTHING! If the press says such and such was a success, challenge them immediately on that interpretation. Again spin back to the Democratic theme.

There are a few more, but just doing these things would make a huge difference. Control the media by directing the discussion. Don't let them control you.

[mondo joe]

6. I agree 100%. And Kerry ought to take a lesson from Clinton.

The Clinton campaign mastered the rapid response.

The repubs will think of any outlandish claim and then make it - without hesitation or regret.

They know how to tar and feather.

And the dems spend all their efforts breaking apart the attack and arguing details while the repugs have already moved on to the next attack.

I saw Chris Matthews on REAL TIME and in under 2 minutes he delivered a breakdown of the distinction between Bush and Gore, and it was tough, clear and concise. WHY oh WHY can't the campaign do the same?

[Blue_Roses]

7. anther armchair stategist

:eyes:

[Jacobin]

8. Your post belies your sig line